IUP celebrates completion of $90M science, math building

Nov. 3—INDIANA, Pa. — Indiana University of Pennsylvania on Thursday marked the completion of its long-awaited $90 million science and mathematics facility.

A couple hundred students, alumni, trustees and others filled IUP's new John J. and Char Kopchick Hall for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Calling the building a "remarkable research facility," Cynthia Shapira, chair of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Board of Governors, extended a congratulatory message to IUP on behalf of the board of governors and the system of state universities.

"This new building is an exciting new symbol for IUP, but as well for the State System of Higher Education and indeed for all of Pennsylvania," she said. "Here at IUP, I envision generations of students walking through these doors ... to acquire an education and conduct research that we can't even imagine today. The future is truly in these halls waiting to be discovered."

John J. and Char Kopchick Hall offers 142,536 square feet of laboratories, collaborative space, formal teaching areas and flexible classrooms. It houses the Kopchick College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

Ground was broken for the facility three years ago. Design and construction management for the project was provided by the state Department of General Services under the supervision of Secretary Reggie McNeil.

"Completion of this state-of-the-art facility ensures IUP will have the necessary infrastructure and facilities to provide the highest quality of education for decades to come," McNeil said.

The ceremony Thursday also included remarks from IUP Council of Trustees Chairman and Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Board of Governors Vice Chairman Sam Smith; state Rep. Jim Struzzi, R-Indiana; and the Kopchicks.

John and Char Kopchick graduated from the university in the 1970s and donated $23 million to the university in April 2018 for science and mathematics initiatives at IUP, the largest philanthropic gift in the history of the school.

John Kopchick is a molecular biologist with 20 years of research experience. He has focused on the molecular biology of growth hormone in relation to growth, obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes and aging.

John Kopchick's work is also commercially successful. In 1987, he discovered a human growth hormone receptor antagonist, which blocks the normal action of the hormone.

"We are deeply and profoundly proud to have our name etched in the history of science at IUP," John Kopchick said. "It is a spectacular, breathtaking, awesome and humbling honor. A heartfelt thank you goes to the outstanding leadership whose vision, guidance, commitment and expertise resulted in this incredible facility.

"We and other former IUP students are certainly appreciative of our education. We hope all future students who study and do research in this fabulous building will be inspired to a lifelong passion for science. This experience will help them succeed in their life pursuits, and in the process perhaps change the world."

The heart of Kopchick Hall is the students, Char Kopchick said.

"We wanted IUP students to come first," she said.

IUP raised $9.7 million for the building construction, in addition to Public Improvement Project Capital Facilities funding provided by the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

There are also several named spaces and facilities in Kopchick Hall in honor of donors and supporters of the project.