Indiana University of Pennsylvania will celebrate 150 years of excellence and impact during the 2025–26 academic year as it marks its sesquicentennial.
“IUP is deservedly proud of its rich history, which reflects a university that respects and honors its past, is resilient, and is focused on the future,” IUP President Michael Driscoll said. “IUP has weathered many storms over the past 150 years, but it has always had an incredible sense of pride and optimism, independence, and commitment to student success,” he said. “I am truly looking forward to all of the planned events and to the beginning of our next 150—and more—years to come.”
IUP’s “official” 150th birthday is May 17, 2025; the university (then Indiana Normal School) opened for its first 10-week term on May 17, 1875, with 80 students, which grew to 150 students by the end of that first week.
In order to fully involve students in the celebration, the sesquicentennial celebration will officially launch in August with the IUP Crimson Carnival on August 23; IUP’s first day of classes for the fall 2025 semester is August 25.
In preparation for its birthday, IUP today launched its IUP 150 website (iup.edu/150), which announces several sesquicentennial events, including IUP Giving Week from May 12 to 17, a T-shirt 150th design contest, and IUP Day at PNC Park on August 10 with a special “first pitch promotion.”
Students, alumni, and friends can participate in the T-shirt design challenge; the winning design will be printed on limited edition T-shirts that will be given out during the August 23 150th kickoff celebration. Deadline for design submissions is April 25; more information about how to enter the contest is available on the IUP 150 website.
Alumni and friends making a $150 donation to IUP between now and August 1 will be eligible to win a chance to throw out the first pitch during IUP Day at PNC Park when the Pittsburgh Pirates play the Cincinnati Reds. Pitchers must be 11 years of age; the winning entry will be selected on August 4.
The announcement of the 150th commemorative gift will take place during IUP’s Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast on April 5. IUP’s annual Family Weekend and Athletic Hall of Fame on September 12 and 13 and IUP Homecoming on October 4 and 5 will have special 150th celebration events, including a special fifth quarter Homecoming concert. The University Museum in Sutton Hall will host a 150th-anniversary exhibition, “IUP@150 Meet Me in the Oak Grove,” from September 6 to December 13, with an opening reception on September 6 in the University Museum.
The 150th Committee, cochaired by Assistant Vice President for University Advancement Jennifer Dunsmore ’98 and Executive Director of Marketing Molly Russell, has created a 150 Volunteer Hour Challenge for student groups, departments, offices, alumni groups, or individuals who want to pledge to volunteer 150 hours in IUP’s 150th anniversary year (May 17, 2025, to May 16, 2026). The project is designed to both celebrate IUP’s 150th anniversary and positively impact the IUP and Indiana communities.
Planning for the 150th anniversary has been underway for almost two years; the committee includes 55 people and four subcommittees that are composed of IUP employees, students, alumni, friends, and community members. Subcommittees are focused on Alumni and Community Support, Communications and Promotions, Events and Operations, and Storytelling.
As additional events are confirmed, information will be posted to the IUP 150 website.
Questions and suggestions related to the 150th celebration can be emailed to IUP-150@iup.edu.