Daily Brief

Fall 2023 Commencement Set for December 16

Nearly 390 students will be awarded degrees during Kutztown University's fall commencement ceremony 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, O'Pake Fieldhouse. Dr. Kenneth S. Hawkinson, university president, and Dr. Lorin Basden Arnold, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, will preside.

Fall 2023 Commencement

University Relations

KU Marine Science Students Get Hands-On Training in Virginia

Earlier this semester, Dr. Adrienne Oakley took 49 students (in two groups) to the Chincoteague Bay Field Station (CBFS) on the Delmarva Peninsula for a three-day field trip studying marine wildlife and the geology of a migrating barrier island. Students slogged through salt marshes, dug holes in beaches, caught and released animals from a boat and used microscopes to ID tiny marine creatures in the lab facilities at CBFS. Students had the opportunity to collect, handle and observe animals including squid, mantis shrimp, crabs, skates, horseshoe crabs and fish using a seine net from shore and trawling nets dragged behind a boat. All animals were released back into the wild and none were harmed. Students also sampled plankton in both daytime and nighttime waters to study plankton migration. Plankton samples will be further analyzed with the scanning electron microscope. Students measured and compared water quality to understand the mixing of freshwater runoff with seawater on the beach and the estuary. They even took water and soil samples from an environmentally impaired salt marsh that is used as a dredging disposal facility. Students used a vibracore drilling system to sample layers of sediment beneath the salt marsh to investigate environmental change through time. The weather was gorgeous and it was a memorable trip for all.

Kurt Friehauf, Physical Sciences

Kutztown University Council of Trustees Meeting

The Kutztown University Council of Trustees will meet Thursday, Dec. 14, McFarland Student Union Building.
Committee meetings will begin at 1:30 p.m.:
- Academic and Student Affairs Committee, 323 MSU.
- Finance, Property, and Audit Committee, 322 MSU.
- Human Diversity Committee, 325 MSU.
- University Relations and Athletics and Advancement Committee, 324 MSU.
The Plenary Session will begin at 3 p.m., 250 MSU.

Office of the President

Twelve Days of Deals - Day 11

Today is day 11 of "12 Days of Deals." Save 30% off dorm room supplies. Each deal is valid until Tuesday, Dec. 12 and excludes other sales and promotions.

Campus Store

Kyle Rex, KU Campus Store

VPA Associate Dean Search Candidate Three

Below is the date and time for the open forum with the candidate for the associate dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Links to the vitae will be active two days before the date the candidate will be on campus.
- Candidate Three
2-3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, 202 Academic Forum.

VPA Associate Dean's Search

Tracy Reidenhour, VPA Associate Dean Search Committee

COE Associate Dean Search Candidate C

Below is the date and time for the open forum with the candidate for the associate dean of the College of Education. Links to the CVs will be active two days before the date the candidate will be on campus.
- Candidate C
1:15-2:15 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, 116 McFarland Student Union Building.

COE Associate Dean Search

Tanya Faust, COE Associate Dean Search Committee

University Lost and Found

If you believe you have lost something, please visit the university lost and found website to browse our inventory using the link below. All items can be picked up at the McFarland Student Union Building Information Desk. Items must be picked up by noon Friday, Dec. 15.

Lost and Found

Amanda Garcia, Student Union Operations

Adjusted Hours: Student Recreation Center

Student Recreation Center hours:
 - 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11 to Wednesday, Dec. 13.
 - 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14.
 - 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15.
 - Closed Saturday, Dec. 16 and Sunday, Dec. 17.  
Keystone Hall Swimming Pool hours:
 - 8-9 a.m., noon to 1 p.m., 6-7 p.m. and 9-10:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11 and Wednesday, Dec. 13.
 - 8-9 a.m., 6-7 p.m. and 9-10:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12.
 - Closed Thursday, Dec. 14 and Friday, Dec. 15.

Tracy Turner, Student Recreation Center

The Frederick Douglass Institute Announces the Spring 2024 Critical Book Club

The Frederick Douglass Institute invites faculty, staff and students to participate in the Spring 2024 Critical Book Club (hybrid format). Our collective reading will be "The 1619 Project," edited by MacArthur Fellow, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, and Howard University professor Dr. Nikole Hannah-Jones. "The 1619 Project" has been a New York Times and Amazon best seller. In addition, the text has been expanded into a six-part docuseries on Hulu. Join FDI Scholars Dr. Leslie Sotomayor (Art Education) and Dr. SeungEun Min (Elementary, Middle Level, Library and Learning Technologies) as they facilitate our discussion on this provocative, long-form journalistic text that draws from historical research, literature and the arts to examine the origins and aftermath of U.S. slavery. Are you interested in participating? Critical book club participants receive a free copy of the book, a reading calendar, additional resources and goodies. Our meetings will be in person and via Zoom. You can complete the quick registration form using this link to receive your book and the calendar. We look forward to engaging in robust cross-cultural dialogue in a psychologically safe and inclusive space for all campus community members.

Frederick Douglass Institute

Amber Jean-Marie Pabon, Frederick Douglass Institute

Fall 2023 Inductees of The Criminal Justice Honor Society - Alpha Phi Sigma

The Kappa Alpha chapter of the Criminal Justice Honor Society (Alpha Phi Sigma) was established in 2008. Seven new members were inducted for Fall 2023.

Dr. Pietro Toggia, Department of Criminal Justice

Fall 2023 Psychology Department Student Award Winners

The Department of Psychology is proud to present our Fall 2023 Student Award Winners: 
 - Michelle Kenstler, Psi Chi Model Student.
 - Megan Tewksbury, Scientist/Practitioner Award.
 - Mandy Maiers, Field Experience Award.
 - Emma Meakim, Academic Achievement Award.
 - Samantha Smith, Student Leadership Award.

Kara Barrell, Department of Psychology

APSCUF Winter Social

APSCUF is hosting a winter social event for all members 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, Saucony Creek, 15032 Kutztown Road, directly following Rep Council. This will be a casual event where food will be provided. Current members are welcome to bring a new member, along with their completed membership card and can get a free drink voucher.

APSCUF Winter Social Form

Albert Fu, APSCUF