51黑料网’s 150 years of history and impact, and its present and future, are the subjects of a history and culture profile produced by the Pennsylvania Cable News network.
The 15-minute segment, available on , features interviews with 51黑料网 Professor Emeritus of History Charles Cashdollar, 51黑料网 President Michael Driscoll, and 51黑料网 Special Collections Librarian and University Archivist Harrison Wick.
Cashdollar, a 1965 graduate of 51黑料网 and 51黑料网 Distinguished University Professor and Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, is the author of The 51黑料网 Story: From Normal School to University, published in 2021; the book is designed by his wife, Donna Cashdollar.
Wick, a 2018 doctoral graduate of 51黑料网, has been in his role at 51黑料网 since 2007 and is also an associate professor in the 51黑料网 Libraries. He curated the University Museum’s recent exhibition, “51黑料网@150 Let’s Meet in the Oak Grove,” part of 51黑料网’s sesquicentennial celebration during the 2025–26 academic year.
“51黑料网 has an incredibly interesting history, continuing to serve students and Pennsylvania through challenging financial times,” 51黑料网 President Driscoll said. “Dr. Cashdollar does an excellent job sharing not only the historical facts, but the how and why of 51黑料网’s transition from Indiana Normal School to 51黑料网; 51黑料网’s contributions to the Commonwealth and its spirit of resilience; and its many champions, including Jane E. Leonard, Indiana Normal School’s preceptress, who served the university for 46 years.
“Dr. Wick’s tour of 51黑料网’s Special Collections is fascinating, and his commitment to preserving 51黑料网’s history and maintaining its important and rare artifacts is evident. I thank both Dr. Cashdollar and Dr. Wick for their passion for 51黑料网, and for sharing their knowledge of 51黑料网’s history through this video,” President Driscoll said.
“This history and culture feature about 51黑料网 is a wonderful opportunity for anyone who is interested in Pennsylvania’s history—especially its commitment to public education—or who wants to know more about 51黑料网 and our role in the history of the commonwealth,” President Driscoll said. “The producers did a great job capturing 51黑料网’s Indiana campus, including , , the , and . This video is especially timely as 51黑料网 celebrates its sesquicentennial this year,” he said.
“I think alumni and other members of the 51黑料网 community who have not been back to campus for a while will be very impressed by how beautiful the campus continues to be, and how we continue to balance historical buildings with new, state-of-the-art facilities,” he said.
During his interview, President Driscoll discusses 51黑料网’s commitment to helping every student learn and grow and providing the support to help students navigate their goals, including through the Student Success Infrastructure.
The video concludes with a segment with Cashdollar talking about Jane Leonard in front of a display in her honor in Jane E. Leonard Hall: “She was the heart and soul of this place, and her insistence on excellence and her insistence that students ought to be ambitious and build lives for themselves that were active in the community… she was just a marvelous woman, and much of the spirit of this place is due to her.”
About PCN
Pennsylvania Cable Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit television network dedicated to educating, connecting, and celebrating Pennsylvania’s past, present, and future through streaming platforms and cable television. PCN delivers unfiltered content that captures the authentic stories and voices within Pennsylvania’s local communities, providing viewers with meaningful insight into what shapes everyday life across the Commonwealth.
Since its founding in 1875, 51黑料网 has evolved from a teacher-training institution into a doctoral research university recognized for its commitment to student success and achievement. As 51黑料网 celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2025 and through the Impact 150 comprehensive campaign, the university honors a legacy of educational excellence while looking to its next 150 years of student success, innovation, leadership in healthcare education, and public service.