Whether you never knew, suspected it, or were positive all along, it is no secret that Indiana University of Pennsylvania is inhabited by a few ghostly friends. So much so that the Paranormal Society of IUP stays active to detect and document the mysterious haunting of IUP. Almost every student you come across has their own ghost story to tell, but certain halls and areas of campus stand out more than others. Have you always wondered why Sutton, along with various buildings, give you the immediate feeling that something bad is about to happen? It could be because they're haunted. After all, IUP has been around since 1875. And now, with the demolition of Keith Hall, one can only wonder, where will the ghosts of Keith Hall go?
If you are unfamiliar with the area of paranormal activities, activity is usually noted using various forms of scientific equipment including "video cameras with night-shot or low-light capability, digital cameras, thermometers, K2 meters that measure electromagnetic fields and are thought to indicate the presence of spirits and tape recorders," according to Indiana Gazette. Collected EVPs, also known as electronic voice phenomena, helps to explain sounds unable to be heard by human ears. Due to EVPs there are many recordings of possible ghostly friends on campus.
The most activity occurs in Keith Hall where a ghost of a little girl named Mary-Ann is said to reside on the first floor. The name of the little girl was captured from an EVP. Also said to stay on the first floor of Keith is Danny, who often plays with Mary Ann, as captured on EVPs. Also in Keith lives a spirit named William, who likes to be called Bill. Although these are the three ghosts whose names have been captured, there is more activity inside of Keith, which is why students may hear footsteps when no one is in the hall, slamming doors and adult and children's voices even when the building is completely empty.
Now that Keith is gone, where exactly will Mary-Ann, Danny and Bill go? Will they leave the former grounds of Keith to haunt even more of IUP's campus? And what about Leonard? Where will the ghosts of Leonard Hall go?
Leonard is almost as haunted, if not equally as haunted as Keith. In Leonard Hall, you will come across the spirit of a man who likes to play with people by draining cell phone batteries, as well as women who has been caught on EVP saying hello and a little girl caught saying "come play with me." Apart from EVPs, look out for voices, slamming doors and moving blinds.
But Leonard and Keith aren't the only haunted building at IUP. Even Wilson has seen some spiritual encounters by custodians who have reported books flying off the shelves. Equally, custodians have encountered noises and music in Sutton Hall to the point where many even use headphones to avoid hearing it. And don't forget the legend of the little girl, Sarah, who drowned in Waller.
The stories go on and on and span building to building, but one thing is for sure: the two most haunted buildings of IUP will be gone soon enough. And the spirits have to go somewhere. Whether the spirits will make their homes in the new building is yet to be determined. But if there's one thing we know for sure, they're not going anywhere and the IUP Paranormal Society will have investigations to do time and time again. Check out some of their findings here.
