The Consummate Educator Presents Perfection

A teacher his entire career, Edward Sims understood the value of different perspectives.

After his graduation from IUP in 1953, he became a music teacher in the public schools and taught all grade levels. His popularity was such that upon his departure for a college-level teaching position, the students at his high school paraded him around the school grounds on their shoulders.

When he landed on Slippery Rock University's campus for a faculty position, he immediately recognized he needed a new perspective: "The subject matter on the college level is vastly different," he said. It prompted his pursuit of a doctoral degree, which he completed at the University of Michigan.

This experience and a lifetime of teaching inspired his commitment to IUP.

Sims, who died in 2017, included in his estate plans a million-dollar provision that enables IUP to bring to campus high-profile, high-caliber musicians and composers for extended visits.

His intention was to provide IUP students with new perspectives.

"Students need a look at the outside world," he said in a 2014 interview. "A program like this would bring a world-class experience straight to the students at their own campus. They need this kind of experience. After all, when they graduate, they will be going out and taking over the world."

A gift to the Foundation for IUP through a beneficiary designation is a simple way to make a big difference for future IUP students. If you would like to discuss ways to enhance the student experience at IUP through an estate gift to the Foundation for IUP, please contact Indiana University of Pennsylvania at 724-357-5661 or university-advancement@iup.edu.