Daily Brief

Celebrate Black History Month 2024 at Kutztown University

February is Black History Month. Established in 1976, Black History Month honors the contributions of African Americans to U.S. history, science, mathematics, literature, art, music and culture. Kutztown University celebrates the month with events for the entire community.

Celebrate Black History Month 2024

University Relations

Speak at Ignite Kutztown

We are seeking speakers for Ignite Kutztown. What is Ignite? It’s a speaking event that follows a specific format (more information below). This semester's Ignite will be held 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28, 135 Rickenbach Learning Center. Mark your calendar to attend and see what this is all about. The basic idea behind Ignite is: "What’s the nerdy passion you want to share with other people?" Make a five-minute speech about it, with 20 slides that advance automatically every 15 seconds. The subject of the presentation can be anything you would like as long as you can cover it in five minutes. This can be anything you’re passionate about, from a hobby to a research subject to a general interest. Thus far we’ve had topics ranging from "The Last of Us" to apples to playing with action figures as an adult and many others. In the link below is an Ignite talk about giving an Ignite talk. If you’re stumped for topics, there are many, many YouTube videos of Ignite talks from around the country. Please contact cripe@kutztown.edu for more information.

Ignite Show: Scott Berkun - "Why and How to Give an Ignite Talk"

Emily Cripe, Department of Communication Studies

First Destination Survey Outcomes Updates

KU faculty and staff, as you hear from December 2023 graduates with great news about landing a professional role and/or acceptance into graduate school, please forward that information to me to add to the centralized First-Destination Career Outcomes Survey (please include the student’s full name). This information is reported annually, in the aggregate, to academic departments and deans. 

Kerri Gardi, Career Development Center

Aquatic Species Identification Workshop

The Pennsylvania Lake Management Society, in cooperation with KU's Department of Biology, will sponsor an Aquatic Invasive Species Identification and Management Workshop 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 3, 103 Academic Forum. The workshop is open to all who have an interest in learning about healthy aquatic ecosystems and who would like to have a hands-on learning experience about identification of invasive species of plants in aquatic systems. Register online.

Christopher Sacchi, Department of Biology

Workshop: CEL Connections at Play

Collaboration is key to a successful career. The Center for Engaged Learning (CEL) invites you to join in a 45-minute, interactive, dynamic session that will help you meet new people and build relationships across the university 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, 6 Rohrbach Library. Attend with an open mind, have a few laughs and leave with refreshed connections. Have fun and find some new collaborators, teaching resources or work friends. Your connection curators will be Stephen Walker and Erin Kraal.

Center for Engaged Learning

Kids Can Explore the Wonders of the Galaxy Sunday, Feb. 4

"Janet’s Planet: A Tour Through the Solar System Travels at the Speed of Thought," introduces the wonders of the galaxy to inspire STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) potential in elementary school-age kids. Part artist and scientist, Janet Ivey-Duensing believes Art and Science should be taught in concert with one another. With Janet’s engaging approach, kids experience complex concepts in an accessible way to help them retain more information and develop a deeper understanding of space. This 21st-century theatre presentation encourages scientific literacy using humor, theatrical antics, visual illusions and a lot of fun held 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4, Schaeffer Auditorium, as part of the KU Presents! Family Series. Faculty and staff can access discounted tickets by logging in for tickets using their MyKU login.

Tickets

KU Presents!

Fall 2024 Learning Communities

If you are interested in offering a Learning Community for the 2024 fall semester, email Andrea Kirshman, associate provost for Student Success and Academic Excellence, at kirshman@kutztown.edu to receive the form. The due date for the form to be submitted is Wednesday, Feb. 7. If you need additional information or time to complete the form, please contact Kirshman.

Nancy Brynildsen, Student Success and Academic Excellence