Members of the IUP community gathered Monday night for a building dedication ceremony in honor of one of the university’s original faculty members.
The dedication of the new Jane E. Leonard Hall was held Monday night in the lobby of the former College of Humanities and Social Sciences on the IUP campus. Leonard served the university for 46 years as a faculty member from 1875, when the university opened as the Indiana Normal School, until 1921. Following her retirement, she continued to live in Sutton Hall on the third floor until her death in 1924.
Photos by Jake Slebodnick:
This is the third time a building was dedicated in honor of Leonard, and it came at the request of Dr. Charles Cashdollar, along with his wife Donna. He said he advocated for the building to be named after Leonard due to her comparisons to a founding father.
IUP President Dr. Michael Driscoll said Leonard brought out the most in her students.
Leonard’s position at the university was a rare occurrence at the time, as women did not typically hold high-ranking positions, and Driscoll said that is something he hopes students remember each time they enter the building.
A permanent plaque commemorating Leonard will arrive to campus in a few weeks.
