Indiana County is rolling out the Welcome Mat to families of incoming Indiana University of Pennsylvania students.
The Welcome Mat project will bring families who are at IUP for new student orientation to downtown Indiana's IRMC Park, located at North Seventh and Philadelphia streets, for a welcome reception with community members. In addition to an opportunity to meet members of the community, families will get tote bags with informational materials about Indiana County and will have a chance to visit informational tables set up in IRMC Park.
IndiGo buses—courtesy of the Indiana County Transit Authority—will transport parents from campus to IRMC Park. Families will have a complimentary bus pass during the time students and families are here for orientation.
Welcome Mat events are scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays starting June 4 through June 29. The event will be cancelled in the case of inclement weather, but regardless of the weather, the IndiGo buses will be available to take families from campus on established routes throughout the Indiana area during the Welcome Mat scheduled time.
The Welcome Mat project is an initiative of the Indiana Area Collaborative Team (I-ACT), in partnership with IUP, Downtown Indiana, the Indiana County Tourist Bureau, and the Indiana County Chamber of Commerce. Its goal is to provide a vehicle for Indiana County businesses, government, and organizations to welcome IUP families and students to Indiana County.
“A safe, welcoming community is an important part of the university experience for our students and their families,” said IUP President Michael Driscoll. “We know that Indiana County becomes a second home to our students, and that they value this community and all that it has to offer to them during their time at IUP. The Welcome Mat project will help to begin that positive relationship.
“I want to thank Robin Gorman, I-ACT co-chair, and the Welcome Mat tri-chairs David Janusek, executive director, Downtown Indiana Inc.; Denise Liggett, executive director of the Indiana County Tourist Bureau; and Jim Struzzi, president, Indiana County Chamber of Commerce, for their efforts in organizing this program.”
Approximately 1,200 family members of incoming IUP students are expected to be part of the Welcome Mat project.
Members of the IUP community are welcome to participate in the events. Persons wishing to attend any Welcome Mat program should contact Robin Gorman, executive assistant to the president for government and community relations, at rgorman@iup.edu.
Community speakers for the Welcome Mat program include Indiana County Commissioners Mike Baker, Sherene Hess, and Rod Ruddock; Joe Reschini, Indiana County Chamber of Commerce; Peter Broad, Indiana Borough Council; Milt Lady, White Township; Ed Patterson, Indiana County Parks and Recreation; and Malcom Polley, Downtown Indiana, Inc.