Daily Brief
Dec. 9, 2024
Fall 2024 Commencement Set for Dec. 14
More than 400 students will be awarded degrees during Kutztown University's fall commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, O'Pake Fieldhouse. The ceremony celebrates undergraduate and graduate degree recipients and will feature two student speakers and a faculty speaker. Reiley Walther, computer science, will serve as the graduate student speaker; Marrisa Moore, psychology, will serve as the undergraduate student speaker; Dr. Daniel Immel, professor of music, will serve as the faculty speaker. Kutztown University will provide complete coverage, including live video, photos and more, of its commencement ceremony. A special thank you to students and professors from the Department of Cinema, Television and Media Production for teaming with the Office of University Relations to provide Saturday's live coverage. Further information on commencement coverage can be found on the commencement coverage website.
University Relations
Weather
Weather forecasts are provided by KU's Dr. Michael Davis and "Monsoon Mike" Regensburger
Weakening frontal system will pass through during the day. Chance of rain showers by late morning and into the afternoon and overnight. High temperature near 44.
Announcements
DMZ Tree Lighting
The campus community is encouraged to attend a tree lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9, DMZ. Join President Hawkinson, students and many others when the trees around the Fountain of Knowledge on the DMZ are lit to welcome light to the winter season. Students can take a finals study break and enjoy complimentary hot chocolate from the Student Government Association, share good company and plan to take memorable pictures with friends at this beautiful spectacle.
Dr. Stephen Rupprecht, Asst. VP and Dean of Students
Immaculate Conception
Mass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception will be celebrated at 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9, Newman Center (across from Old Main, 15207 Kutztown Road). Faculty, staff, students and neighbors are welcome to join.
Thiep Pham, Computer Science and Information Technology
Faculty Regalia Rental Pickup for Fall 2024 Commencement
Faculty who ordered rental regalia for commencement may pickup regalia through Thursday, Dec. 12, at the KU Campus Store (hours). For those unable to get to the KU Campus Store, the rented regalia will also be available for pickup during robing hours before the ceremony in 106 Keystone Hall.
Shena Hesselbein, KUSSI
Special Hours: Student Recreation Center/Keystone Pool
Special hours during finals week for the Student Recreation Center and Keystone Pool.
Student Recreation Center
- Monday, Dec. 9 to Wednesday, Dec. 11, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Thursday, Dec. 12, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Friday, Dec. 13, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 14 to Sunday, Dec. 15, closed.
Keystone Hall Swimming Pool
- Monday, Dec. 9 to Wednesday, Dec. 11, regular hours.
- Thursday, Dec. 12, 8-9 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 6-7 p.m.
- Friday, Dec. 13, 8-9 a.m., noon to 1 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 14 to Sunday, Dec. 15, closed.
Tracy Turner, Student Recreation Center
Counseling Center Hours during Finals Week
The KU Counseling Center will be open during finals week 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. No appointments are needed. Students are invited to walk in for a consultation with a counselor during these hours throughout the week.
Susan Mangold, KU Counseling Center
December Parents and Family Bulletin
This month's edition of the KU Parents and Family Bulletin has been sent to registered subscribers and can be found on the Parents and Family Bulletin webpage.
University Relations
Cold Weather Reminder
Last winter, your diligent efforts to keep windows and exterior doors closed when temperatures dipped below freezing helped prevent water damage due to freezing fire sprinkler and domestic water pipes. Your efforts also helped conserve energy used for heating. Please keep all windows and exterior doors closed during freezing weather. It's especially important to survey your area and close windows prior to leaving for weekends or holidays, since a burst pipe resulting from an open window or door may go unnoticed and lead to considerable damage. Report open windows and open exterior doors to the facilities Work Control Center. Let's repeat last year's excellent work.
Gary W. Fleming, Environmental Health and Safety
New Album Release by KU Rock Ensemble I
It is with great pride we announce the release of the fourth album, SO SAY WE ALL, by KU Rock Ensemble 1. SO SAY WE ALL is now available on all major music platforms. We encourage everyone to listen, enjoy and share this fantastic album.
Maya Strava Kokkinou, Department of Music
Academics
Title III Grant Website is Live
Title III Grant year one (Oct. 1, 2023 to Sept. 30, 2024) was busy and fruitful; and we are excited to carry that momentum into year two. The grant's aim is to increase equitable access to high-impact practices to promote engagement and retention for all students, including those who are underrepresented minorities (URM), low-income and first-generation. With the goals of transparency and awareness in mind, we invite you to learn more about the grant and keep up-to-date on grant activities on our new website. We will continue to make updates as we finalize numbers on year one performance indicators as outlined in the grant proposal, as well as continue to add more events and professional development opportunities. Reach out to Brandy Leininger, grant project manager, at leininger@kutztown.edu with any questions or suggestions.
Brandy Leininger, Academic Affairs
New CEL Journal Post: Tarot of Teaching (Part 3)
Happy Finals Week. This week, we debut the third in our three-part series discussing the Tarot of Teaching card deck, a creative tool designed by the Center for Engaged Learning (CEL) to enrich and energize the structure of a class period. If you haven't already, check out Part 1 and Part 2 of the series. Enjoy the holidays!
Center for Engaged Learning Blog
Center for Engaged Learning
Psychology Department Fall Student Award Winners
The Department of Psychology is proud to present its Fall Student Award Winners: Madeleine Zeidenberg, Alexa May, Melanie McHugh, Emma Hope and Alex Reed.
Kara Barrell, Psychology
Sabbatical Leave Committee Letter and Guidelines 2024-25
The sabbatical leave committee has updated the sabbatical guideline for this year's application. Please check the APSCUF KU website for the letter, guidelines, application and rubrics for faculty who wish to apply for a sabbatical leave for Fall 2026-Spring 2027. Please read the file carefully for information regarding the sabbatical leave application. Note that applicants need to verify their eligibility by having the Provost's Office review their years of service and include the verification of eligibility in their applications. The following materials are required for your sabbatical applications:
- Signed verification of eligibility form the Provost's office;
- Signed application form (available on APSCUF KU website. Signatures are required from the applicant, your department chair and your dean);
- Written sabbatical proposal;
- Updated C.V.;
-
Seven additional back-to-back photocopies of the application.
Yun Lu, Sabbatical Leave Committee
Upcoming Events
| Date | Time | Event |
| Dec. 9 | 9 a.m. | LVHN Mobile Mammograms Student Recreation Center |
| Dec. 9 | 5 p.m. | Tree Lighting DMZ |
| Dec. 11 | 3 p.m. | Provost Open Hour Old Main Concourse |
| Dec. 12 | 1:30 p.m. | Council of Trustees Committee Meetings 322, 323, 324, 325 MSU |
| Dec. 12 | 3 p.m. | Council of Trustees Plenary Session 250 MSU |
| Dec. 14 | 10 a.m. | Fall 2024 Commencement O'Pake Fieldhouse (Watch) |
| Dec. 16 | -- | Winter Break Hours Begin |
Athletics
| Date | Time | Event |
| Dec. 19 | 7 p.m. | Wrestling vs. Felician Keystone Arena (Watch) |
Accommodations
Persons with a disability, and who require accommodation, should notify the Disability Services Office two weeks prior to the event at 610-683-4108 or email DSO@kutztown.edu, TDD number: 610-683-4499, in order to discuss accommodations. Every effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodations. Please note: Kutztown University does not provide wheelchairs or other mobility devices.
Non-Discrimination Statement
Kutztown University does not discriminate in employment or educational opportunities on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status. To discuss a complaint of discrimination, please contact the Office of Social Equity, Old Main A-Wing, Room 02, by phone at 610-683-4700 or by email at pena@kutztown.edu. Pursuant to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Kutztown University does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, including admissions and employment. Any inquiries regarding the application of Title IX at Kutztown University may be made to Bradley Davis, the university’s Title IX coordinator, located in Old Main A-Wing, Room 02A, by phone at 610-683-4782 or by email at titleix@kutztown.edu. You may also contact the Office for Civil Rights located in the Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Bldg., 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-1100, by phone at 800-421-3481 (TDD: 800-877-8339), by fax at 202-453-6012, or by email at OCR@ed.gov.