IUP on Friday officially dedicated an outdoor classroom in honor of an IUP Graduate.
The 7,150 square-foot outdoor classroom in the courtyard of Stouffer Hall facing Willow Avenue was rededicated as the Larry F. Sobotka Science Discovery and Outdoor Learning Center. The courtyard has four specific areas dedicated to hands-on, outdoor environmental instruction. The space has been utilized by IUP students and children for several different classes.
On top of Sobotka’s $150,000 gift in support of the center, he has also designated IUP to receive a portion of his estate through a testamentary pledge valued up to $1 million. Sobotka was a graduate of IUP in 1963, majoring in education.
The space has been utilized as an outdoor classroom since 2012 and is used by university students, elementary school children, scout troops and garden clubs.
The gift was part of the IUP Imagine Unlimited campaign, which is the university’s $75 million comprehensive campaign. So far, the school has raised $62 million.
