Campus Celebrity: Ashley Stoner

Ashley Stoner has already made a profound impact her first two years at IUP. This intelligent and influential sophomore is a member of the IUP women’s basketball team and the Robert Cook Honors College.

On why she chose IUP she explains: “I have played basketball all my life, and basketball is what brought me to IUP in addition to the Robert E. Cook Honors College. The Honors College attracted me with its close-knit environment and discussion-based teaching style.  Many of the friends I have met at college have indeed become like my extended family. The basketball program attracted me here because the thought of playing home games in the impressive KCAC was enthralling, and I had been impressed by the program’s previous success.

She’s very involved at IUP, evident by her many activities and accomplishments, which include: pledge of English honors fraternity Sigma Tau Alpha, an inductee of the Golden Key international honors society, active member of RHC, and participant in IUP-TV’s show Mind Over Matter.

Despite her busy schedule, Ashley maintains an impressive 3.9 GPA and has received various awards for her academic achievements.

“My success off the court brought me to the various honors organization that I take part in because my academic life is just as important to me as my athletic life on campus.”

Through basketball Ashley and her teammates have participated in several benefit events and fundraisers for non-profit organizations. In serving the community, the girls are given the chance to interact with girls who aspire to one day play a college sport. Ashley hopes to inspire girls to achieve their dreams through hard work on and off the court.

“I hope to shed a positive light on women’s athletics, and try to be a role model for the community which I am proud to represent.”

As for where her inspiration comes from, Ashley told HerCampus:

“The main person who inspires me is my cousin, Joanna.  She is extremely intelligent, and works hard every day because she is in love with her school.  She is friendly, outgoing, and so easy to love.  Joanna has Down syndrome.  She’s told me before that she looks up to me and follows my basketball career; in reality, she’s my hero.  She always has a positive outlook on her life, even though her disability greatly sets her apart from all of her classmates. Joanna reminds me to smile every day, just as she does.”

After IUP, Ashley plans on attending law school and hopes to become a part of a successful law firm. She attributes her future goals to her dream of wanting to become a lawyer since she was in fourth grade.

Ashley hopes other students will experience all that they possibly can in college and encourages them to get involved. Through her involvement she has “made valuable friendships here which have positively influenced my life in many ways.  These people have made me humble, optimistic and grateful for where I am in life.”

Ashley has made an incredible impact on the campus and her school spirit reflects her enthusiasm for IUP.

“I couldn’t imagine attending any school other than IUP, and will be proud to call it my alma mater on the journey of my life.”

• IUP Campus Celebrity