Daily Brief

Fall 2024 Commencement

Congratulations to the Class of 2024. Watch the on-demand replay, read stories and view photos of Saturday’s ceremony on the commencement coverage webpage.

Commencement Coverage

University Relations

Thank You from President Hawkinson

I want to express my deepest gratitude to all those who made this past weekend's commencement ceremony a success. So many contributed to the weekend events: the administrators, faculty and staff who planned and worked the event, the custodial, grounds and labor crews who prepared the buildings and beautiful landscaping, the police and security personnel, the volunteers, the Department of Cinema, Television and Media Production for enhancing our ceremony and allowing families across the world to watch our ceremony, our faculty, students and their families and friends. I'm proud to be among you all. Thank you.

Kenneth S. Hawkinson, University President

Thank You from the Commencement Staff

A heartfelt thank you to the dedicated faculty, staff and volunteers who made our commencement ceremony such a remarkable success Saturday, Dec. 14. We are deeply grateful for the KU community's collaborative spirit that brings such meaning to this important milestone. Special recognition goes to our Facilities team, who work diligently behind the scenes, addressing challenges with remarkable skill and commitment. The Golden Bear spirit truly shines brightest as we celebrate the extraordinary achievements of our graduates. Thank you for your invaluable contributions that made this day possible.

KU Commencement Team

Ernie Post Retirement

Dr. Ernie Post, state director of the Pennsylvania Network of Small Business Development Centers (PASBDC), has announced his retirement from Kutztown University, effective Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. After a distinguished career dedicated to supporting small businesses, he will pursue new opportunities. Ernie has been an instrumental figure in the commonwealth’s small business landscape, having served as the director of the SBDC at Gannon University for 10 years, followed by 20 years at the KU Center. His leadership and extensive experience played a key role in KU’s selection as the host institution for the PASBDC Lead Office in 2018, at which time he assumed the position of state director. Ernie leaves behind a remarkable legacy of commitment, advocacy and support for small business growth and development across Pennsylvania. He was also known as an avid cyclist and he often had two bikes hitched to his car, in case he ran into someone who wanted to go for a quick spin. He has been a great asset to Kutztown University and to the economic development ecosystem of the entire state. We extend our best wishes to him as he embarks on his upcoming endeavors, in life and on the road on his bike.

COB Dean's Office and the SBDC Lead Office

Summer 2025 Orientation Dates

We are excited to announce the 2025 New Student Orientation dates. Additional details will be sent out as we move into the new year. Feel free to reach out to Brett Santos (bsantos@kutztown.edu) for any questions. The confirmed dates may be found below:
Freshmen Dates (students starting Fall 2025):
 - Wednesday, July 9 to Saturday, July 12 
 - Wednesday, July 23 to Saturday, July 26
 - Tuesday, Aug. 19
Transfer Dates (students starting Fall 2025):
 - Thursday, May 29
 - Tuesday, June 17
 - Wednesday, July 16
 - Tuesday, July 22
 - Wednesday, Aug. 20 (including international students)

New Student Orientation

Career Closet Giving Tree

The Career Closet Giving Tree is up in the Stratton first floor hallway. Please stop by and take a "paw" ornament to donate items to the Career Closet. The Career Closet operates on donations and is actively seeking professional clothing donations. All donations can be dropped off in 113 Stratton.

Career Development Center

AFSCME Local 2234 Member Meeting

Attention AFSCME Local 2234 members: we will not be having a December meeting. This was covered by the November Christmas party. Due to the originally scheduled January meeting taking place on Martin Luther King Day, it has been rescheduled for 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 13, 103 Academic Forum. The AFSCME Local 2234 board looks forward to seeing our members in January.

Tish Manwiller, AFSCME Local 2234

Admissions Senior Classroom Visits

Undergraduate Admissions will be offering admitted seniors and transfer students the opportunity to participate in Kutztown University classes in Spring 2025. The atmosphere of our academic spaces are increasingly more important in the college decision and we would love to feature real KU classes for every major. To all faculty, if you would like to participate in this program, you can register your class at this link. Please feel free to contact Ryan Murphy at rmurphy@kutztown.edu with any questions.

Ryan Murphy, Undergraduate Admissions

Inaugural FYS Wonderfest

Around 100 First Year Seminar students presented their original work recently during the first ever FYS Wonderfest, A Celebration of First Year Innovation. Wonderfest provides a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for students to share and discuss their ideas in a small group setting.

FYS Wonderfest

Lynn Kutch, Undergraduate Research and Creativity