Charles Spadafora
Charles Spadafora was a prominent business owner in the Indiana Community. Mr. Spadafora attended the U.S. Naval Academy, entered the U.S. Marine Corps, and in Vietnam, was awarded the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Mr. Spadafora served on the National Marine Heritage, the International Athena Advisory, and the Naval Academy Athletic Committees. He owned and operated three automobile dealerships in Indiana. After Charles and his father Cecil both served as President of the Chamber of Commerce, they were recognized by the Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame. He has been honored for the Civic Leader of the Year, the Athena, the University of Pittsburgh, and IUP Family Business awards. Most of his major efforts have been toward his first love, Indiana, which included the creation of the Industrial Park in Blairsville, the ten-mile 119 highway expansion, and the Pine-Grove Prison.
Graduation Year: 1959
Don White
Don White served in the U.S. Army from 1972-75. Years later, in 2001, White assumed office as a Pennsylvania State Senator of the 41st district. He has found a variety of different issues important to him, and works hand in hand with these matters by serving on countless committees. He was on the PENNVEST Board of Directors, was the Chairman of the Senate Committee of Banking and Insurance, and Vice Chairman of the Transportation Committee. Additionally, he has served as a member of several other Senate committees including Community, Economic and Recreational Development, Environmental Resources and Energy, Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness, and Labor and Industry. Don White is passionate about many issues within his county and state and because of his countless efforts and support to people of all ages, he has made a lasting impact on our community.
Graduation Year: 1968
Suzy Jack
Suzy Jack currently serves as Vice President and Chief of Staff of The Broad Foundation, which supports entrepreneurship for the public good in education, science and the arts. Previously, Suzy was Vice President of Public Affairs and Events for the Los Angeles Times. Prior to joining the Times, Jack began her career as an intern for Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa. She served in several roles in the administration and later was appointed Villaraigosa’s deputy mayor of legislative affairs, the youngest deputy mayor in LA history. Jack also served as the Mayor’s liaison and advisor to the LGBTQ community. Following the end of the Mayor’s term, Jack served as deputy controller under Los Angeles City Controller Ron Galperin. She lives as proof that through perseverance and hard work, you can inspire an entire community of people from Indiana, PA to Los Angeles, CA.
Graduation Year: 2002
Joe Saylor
After a very successful high school music career, Saylor earned degrees from Manhattan School of Music and the Juilliard School. After graduating, he toured globally with Jon Batiste and Stay Human, with whom he currently appears nightly on national television as the drummer for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Saylor has been featured on the cover of Modern Drummer magazine, the HBO series Treme, and the 2018 GRAMMY awards. He is also a noted advocate for music education and tours as a jazz clinician at music festivals around the world. Joe Saylor is one of the most dynamic, exciting, and accomplished percussionists of his generation and has served as an inspiration to many.
Graduation Year: 2004
Rodney Ruddock
Rodney Ruddock is a decorated veteran, educator, commissioner, and leader who has been greatly involved in his community. Mr. Ruddock served as a Major General in the United States Army Reserve. During his thirty-seven years in the military, he received the Vietnam Service Medal with four Service Stars, the National Defense Service Medal with a Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Distinguished Service Medal. In addition, Mr. Ruddock served in public education as a teacher, and then principal in the Indiana Area School District for thirty-five years. He later went on to serve as Indiana County Commissioner, and served as the Chairman for the Commissioners for twelve years. Awards Mr. Ruddock received outside of the military include the Athena International Leadership Award in 2014, and the Penn’s Woods Council Boys Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award in 2006. Because of his service and dedication to education students, Mr. Ruddock has made a tremendous impact on his community and the people around him.
Graduation Year: 1961
Scott A. Zellem
After attending college at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, Scott Zellem built an impressive military resume. Zellem became a pilot in the U.S. Navy for 13 years, and had the honor of being a flight officer on the first two Navy S-3B Vikings that carried President George W. Bush onto the USS Abraham Lincoln, where Bush addressed the nation following the fall of Saddam Hussein in Iraq. On August 10th, 2004, Zellem perished during one of his S-3B Viking missions, reportedly flying in the vicinity of the Iwo Jima island chain when communications with him were lost. Zellem not only protected our nation’s citizens, but worked to educate students before his death, reminding them to “take heed of what is happening in the world … whether it is next door or on the next continent.” Through his dedications, contributions, and sacrifice for our nation and county, his legacy will live on forever.
Graduation Year: 1987
Dr. Christina Lubold
Dr. Christina B. Lubold graduated from Indiana Area Senior High School in 1981. After finishing medical school at Temple University, she received her pediatric training at Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. Moving back to Indiana in 1994, she joined Indiana Pediatric Associates and practices general pediatrics. She has held many offices including Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics as well as President of the Medical Staff at Indiana Regional Medical Center. She has also been the recipient of the James G. Garretson Physician Excellence Award. She has been a tireless advocate for women and children’s health care in our community. She has served in a leadership position through the hospital and in other capacities and has been able to influence community health issues that have benefitted all of us who live in Indiana, PA and the surrounding area.
Graduation Year: 1981
Dr. John Kopchick
Dr. John Kopchick first used his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in biology and biochemistry from IUP and his Ph.D. from the University of Texas as Director of the Growth, Diabetes, and Obesity Department at the Edison Biotechnology Institute (EBI) of Ohio University. During this time he discovered a compound that became the basis for a drug that treats acromegaly. Kopchick’s drug is highly successful and has helped save the lives of many patients with acromegaly. Additionally, he is involved in different research projects as the lead investigator at EBI. His laboratory generated the longest-lived laboratory mouse that is used world-wide for the students of health and life-span. He has published over 400 manuscripts and 31 patents, advised 25 Ph.D. students, several M.S. students, and hundreds of undergraduates. He has received many awards including the prestigious Endocrinology Society’s Laureate Award for Innovation. Along with these accomplishments, he and his wife, Char, are philanthropists continually seeking to better the welfare of others.
Graduation Year: 1968
Christine Toretti
Christine Jack Toretti currently serves as Chair of S&T Bank and Director of EQT Corporation, the largest natural gas production company in the US. She is the former Chairman and CEO of S.W. Jack Drilling Company, a prominent firm within the energy industry. Toretti has served as former Chair of the Andy Warhol Museum and is the current director of International Medical Corps. Ms. Toretti works nonstop in both the profit and not-for-profit worlds. The founder of the Anne Anstine and Dodie Londen Excellence in Public Service Series, Christine is passionate about educating and empowering women throughout politics. She was a member of the National Petroleum Council, and served on the advisory board for the U.S. Secretary of Energy. Having been elected as the RNC National Committeewoman for Pennsylvania in 1997, Ms. Toretti is a leader within the Republican National Committee and is a prominent national figure in politics. She led the Presidential Transition Team for the Small Business Administration and was nominated to be the US Ambassador to the Republic of Malta in 2018.
Graduation Year: 1975
Sid Simon
Sid Simon enlisted in the state police in June 1978. His impressive career spanned 27 years. He was Deputy Commissioner of Administration for the Pennsylvania State Police, which is one of the top 5 positions in the 6,100-person department. Simon was later promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. This position is responsible for all men and women, enlisted and civilian, in the department. He worked patrol and crime scenes, supervised a few dozen troopers in a small barracks and, as commander of State Police Area II out of Montoursville, Lycoming County, supervised 700 troopers in over 18 counties. As part of his 14 assignments across the Commonwealth, he was thrice assigned to the Indiana Station as a patrol trooper, led the Criminal Investigation Unit as a Sergeant, and was the Lieutenant as Station Commander. Simon has dedicated his life to serving others in order to make our community and state a safer place to live.
Graduation Year: 1972