Community Engagement
German American Day
On October 11, 2022, the German section of the Modern Language Studies Department welcomed nearly 200 high school students of German to campus for a celebration. After a musical performance by KU alumnus, Tyler Cressman, students participated in sessions of various themes, including PA German (KU alumna Ashley Snyder), folk dancing, holiday traditions, and a soccer workshop. High school teachers led the workshops and Kutztown students were on board to volunteer throughout the day.
KU alumnus Tyler Cressman kicked off the celebration with a musical performance.
Kutztown School District German teacher Rick Hadley (in red shirt) works with students.
Visiting high school students engage in German American Day activities.
What is Spark for German?
An initiative of the American Association of Teachers of German and the Goethe-Institute, SPARK, with its playful approach to German lessons in after-school programs provides professional development for future German instructors and enables students across the United States to start learning German at an early age. Kutztown University has partnered with the Kutztown School District, and currently offers Spark at Kutztown Elementary and Greenwich Elementary.
President Hawkinson visited the Spark site at Kutztown Elementary School in April 2022.
SPARK FOR GERMAN PILOT PROGRAM (L to R): KU students Lauren Pash and Jess Southgate-Sands.
MLS Celebrates Graduating Seniors and German Honor Society Inductees!
On May 2, 2022, the Department of Modern Language Studies celebrated all of its Graduating Seniors and their guests. We also recognized some students’ achievements with the MLS Awards and induction into the German Honor Society! These recipients are: Claire Sprang (German Honor Society Inductee); Lauren Pash (MLS Award for Outstanding Student in German and German Honor Society Inductee); Erika Murillo (Linda Oswald Bogert Memorial Award of the MLS Department); Jamie Lasko (MLS Cultural Ambassador Award); Noah Clinard (MLS Award for Outstanding Student in Spanish); Gwen Rearich (German Honor Society Inductee).
MLS Honors Inductees and Award Winners
Left to Right: Claire Sprang (German Honor Society Inductee); Lauren Pash (MLS Award for Outstanding Student in German and German Honor Society Inductee); Erika Murillo (Linda Oswald Bogert Memorial Award of the MLS Department); Jamie Lasko (MLS Cultural Ambassador Award); Noah Clinard (MLS Award for Outstanding Student in Spanish); Gwen Rearich (German Honor Society Inductee, not pictured).
MLS Graduating Seniors' Celebration
Dr. Kutch, MLS Interim Department Chair, opens the MLS Graduating Senior Ceremony.
MLS Graduating Seniors' Celebration
Faculty mingle with MLS Graduating Seniors and their families.
Day of the Dead
¡Feliz día de los muertos!
Dr. Dawn Slack was an invited guest lecturer to Dr. Kim Shively’s FYS class (Fall 2021: November 2, 2021) to discuss the Day of the Dead holiday. Dr. Slack shared information about the native origins of this unique cultural celebration, its modern-day global practices, and the various components of the “ofrenda” (altar) which honors the lives of those who have died or who are far away from loved ones. Students were invited to taste some “mole” (a chocolate and chili sauce) that Dr. Slack prepared while they decorated candy skulls with ink, glitter, and feathers.
