Daily Brief

Spring Semester 2023 Update and Welcome from President Hawkinson

Welcome back to campus. I hope you had an enjoyable winter break and were able to recharge for the 2023 spring semester.

I want to extend my appreciation to you all for a successful fall, which culminated with our commencement ceremonies last month. Together, we continue to champion the fundamental values of higher education, while positioning Kutztown University for a bright future.
We are very proud of all the accomplishments of our university and the KU Family, whether in the classroom, on the stage or athletic venues, or through participation in our many vibrant student life activities. I hope you will take a few moments to review the list of some of the fall highlights on our Points of Pride webpage.

The beginning of a new semester is also an excellent time to provide you with some important updates. I returned from India last week, where I was honored to represent KU along with three other universities from the State System. The purpose of the trip was to promote our universities to the country’s officials and prospective students. My hope and belief are that this partnership will enhance our enrollment for years to come, while contributing to the diversity of our campus and promoting greater global understanding.

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The Office of the President

Reminder about PASSHE Trainings

Just a reminder that faculty, staff and student employees were sent emails from training@passhe.edu about several online training modules from GetInclusive. If you have not done so yet, please find the email and complete the trainings as soon as possible. Again, the email came from training@passhe.edu. Thank you.

Jerry Schearer, Diversity and Inclusion

Free Faculty Brass Concert

Come and enjoy brass music as members of the KU Department of Music brass faculty and friends will be performing a recital of quintet and trio music 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, Georgian Room, Old Main. The concert is free and open to the public. Music will include pieces by LaFosse, Stevens, Maurer, Arutiunian, Gillie, DiLorenzo and more.

Daniel Neuenschwander, Department of Music

Bagpipe Lessons

Are you interested in learning to play the bagpipes? The Kutztown Pipe Band offers free introductory bagpipe lessons to KU faculty, staff and students as well as local community members. In-person group lessons are held 6 p.m Thursdays, starting Feb. 2 and a go-at-your-own-pace online course option is available in D2L for KU community members. Experienced pipers and drummers are also invited to join the band. Contact sherrod@kutztown.edu for additional details and to reserve your spot. 

https://kutztownpipeband.com

Laura Sherrod, Kutztown Pipe Band

Nominations for the 2023 Arthur and Isabel Wiesenberger Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching

You are invited to nominate a candidate for the 2023 Arthur & Isabel Wiesenberger Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching. Any current full-time tenured faculty member at Kutztown University is eligible for nomination. This award is presented each year to one faculty member who has served KU in a manner that sets them apart from faculty colleagues. The recipient will receive $2,500 and a plaque, which will be presented by the university president at the Faculty Staff Convocation & Celebration on Friday, Aug. 25. Click here for more information and to access the nomination form. When nominating a candidate, please complete the form and return it to Erin Gautier, Kutztown University Foundation, by email to gautier@kuf.org. Nominations are due Friday, Mar. 31. If you have any questions please contact 610-683-4110.

Jillian Lovejoy, KU Foundation

Fall 2023 Learning Communities

If you are interested in offering a Learning Community for the Fall 2023 semester, email kirshman@kutztown.edu to receive the form. The due date for the form to be submitted is Wednesday, Feb. 8. If you need additional information or time to complete the form please contact me.

Andrea Kirshman, Student Success & Academic Excellence

Student Success & Academic Excellence

Our office works with students to set goals for academic success and acquire the academic skills needed to achieve these goals. This spring we will continue to provide personalized academic support, student success workshops and classroom presentations. Please share the paragraph below about our services with your students:

Student Success & Academic Excellence provides students with individualized success plans, study skills support and connections to campus resources. The Student Success Center, 11 Rohrbach Library, offers academic skills workshops and one-on-one consultations on study skills, time management, note taking and learning strategies to enhance success inside and outside the classroom. Students can request a meeting with Student Success through the Starfish app or KU homepage using the “I Need Help” drop-down menu.

Additionally, I would like to provide you with the following resources should you encounter a student you believe could benefit from our services or you would like to request a classroom presentation:
- Student Success Referral: If you feel a student could benefit from our services, please submit a referral in Starfish. A member of the Student Success Team will follow up with the student in a timely manner. 
- Student Success Workshops Request Form: Student Success Workshops provide faculty and staff with presentations on topics relevant to college student success. Presentations include time management, test taking strategies, test anxiety and many more.  Presentations are typically 40 minutes. If you have any questions, contact us at success@kutztown.edu.

https://www.kutztown.edu/about-ku/administrative-offices/student-success-center.html

Nancy Brynildsen, Student Success & Academic Excellence

Tutoring Services

Tutoring Services is a free service that provides a comfortable, supportive environment that encourages intellectual and personal growth for students who both utilize and provide tutoring. This spring we will continue to offer peer tutors, student course assistants, first-year experience guides, academic peer mentors (APM) and drop-in labs for Business, CRJ, CSC/IT, Math, POL-PHI and STEM Labs. Students can request a Peer Tutor or Academic Peer Mentor (APM) through the Starfish app or KU homepage using the “I Need Help” drop-down menu. Our office is located in 26 Rohrbach Library and our hours are as follows: 
- 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday
- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday
- Closed Saturday and Sunday
If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at tutor@kutztown.edu

Tutoring Services website

Nancy Brynildsen, Tutoring Services

KUSSI Fan, Faculty and Staff Appreciation Basketball Game

There will be giveaways for faculty and staff members at the KUSSI fan, faculty and staff appreciation basketball game vs. Bloomsburg University 5:30 and 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 25. Come out to show appreciation for KU faculty and staff.

https://kubears.com/

Department of Athletics