Daily Brief

Hispanic Heritage Month 2024

Kutztown University celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, 2024. This national, month-long celebration recognizes the diversity of the Hispanic/Latino/x/e culture and commemorates the achievements, contributions and histories of American citizens who have ancestry from Mexico, Spain, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Kutztown University acknowledges the celebration of cultural heritage year-round but loves to spotlight and honor its unique beauty. KU appreciates National Hispanic Heritage Month as an important reminder to honor the past and present influence Hispanic/Latino/x/e culture has on the university and around the country. During the month-long celebration, the university is hosting a variety of events.

Hispanic Heritage Month

University Relations

Heemet Fescht Returns

Heemet Fescht returns 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center. Heemet Fescht features live music in the barnyard, traditional crafts, folklife demonstrations, hearth-cooking, live animals, children’s activities and more. Indulge your interest in regional folk culture at the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center’s Heemet Fescht 2024: a celebration of the harvest and Pennsylvania Dutch farm life. Heemet (pronounced HAY-met) means “home” in Pennsylvania Dutch. Located on the historic Sharadin Farmstead, 22 Luckenbill Rd., Kutztown, the event is free, fun and educational for the whole family.

Sarah Edris, Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center

Elliott Named Recipient of 2024 John P. Schellenberg Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning

Dr. Diana Cardenas Elliott, associate professor of Counselor Education and Student Affairs, was awarded Kutztown University’s 2024 John P. Schellenberg Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. The award was presented during the university's Faculty and Staff Convocation and Celebration Friday, Aug. 23. The John P. Schellenberg Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning was established by John P. Schellenberg, emeriti professor of physical science, faculty alumni and friends to recognize an early career faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding work.

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University Relations

15% Off Pawbucks Sale

KU Campus Store will have 15% off apparel and gift today only, Monday, Sept. 16. In-store and online. Excludes other sales and promotions.

KU Campus Store

Kyle Rex, KU Campus Store

AFSCME Local 2234 Member Meeting

Please plan on attending AFSCME Local 2234 monthly member meeting 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16, 101 Academic Forum. Refreshments will be served.

Letitia Manwiller, AFSCME Local 2234

Join Us for The Frederick Douglass Institute's First Fall 2024 Lecture

Faculty, staff and students are invited to attend Kutztown University's Frederick Douglass Institute's first Fall 2024 public lecture, "Sowing Seeds of Change: Cultivating Critical Research in a Polarized World," 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16, 116 MSU. Meet the new and returning FDI Faculty Scholars and learn about their research, teaching and service to the Kutztown University campus community. We will also:
- explore the vital role of critical research in addressing pressing social and political challenges;
- learn about practices to nurture transformative ideas;
- strategize ways to navigate challenges.

This event is a great opportunity to connect with colleagues, engage with thought-provoking insights and contribute to the ongoing dialogue on resilience and advocacy to support critical research. Don’t miss this chance to be part of a meaningful discussion that supports the growth of impactful research at our university. All members of the campus community are welcome to attend. Let’s come together to plant the seeds of change. Due to space limitations, attendance is limited to the first 20 guests. RSVP online.

Frederick Douglass Institute

Amber Pabon , Frederick Douglass Institute

Rocket Kiln Building and Firing Workshop with Visiting Artist Lisa Orr

Visiting Artist Lisa Orr will be working Sept. 16-18, 108 Sharadin, building and firing a wood-burning rocket kiln. Everyone is welcome to come learn about this controlled oxygenated airflow kiln design, which is a high efficiency, smokeless kiln to fire. Orr will also be presenting an artist lecture 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16, with studio demonstrations noon and 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17. The remainder of time (12-8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18), you can find us outside the ceramics studio, building KU's very own rocket kiln. For 39 years, Orr has been a professional potter and student of ceramics. She completed her MFA at the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University in 1992 and later received grants including a Fulbright and a MAAA/NEA. Her work is in numerous public and private collections, including the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco and the permanent collection of WOCEF in Korea. Currently, she teaches, lectures and shows nationally and internationally. We hope you will join us for this exciting workshop. For more information or a detailed schedule, contact Gwendolyn Yoppolo at yoppolo@kutztown.edu.

Gwendolyn Yoppolo, Art and Design; Clay Club

Webinar: Faculty Panel on Post-Pandemic Student Accommodations

Join us for an engaging panel discussion with KU faculty and Disability Services Office (DSO) professionals as they address how student accommodations have evolved since the pandemic 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, Schaeffer Auditorium. No registration required. Topics will include:
- Changes in Accommodation Requests: How student needs have shifted and how universities have adapted.
- Increased Requests: Strategies KU faculty and DSO staff use to manage the rise in accommodation requests.
- Student Challenges: Common post-COVID challenges for students registered with the DSO.
- Mental Health Resources: On-campus support for students with mental health concerns.
- Universal Design: How KU ensures equitable access to physical and virtual spaces through inclusive strategies.
- This webinar will offer valuable insights on fostering an inclusive, supportive learning environment.

Extended Learning

KU Advance Office of Extended Learning

Sustainability Summit: Power Our Future

The College of Business is thrilled to host the 2024 Kutztown Sustainability Summit, "Power Our Future," Wednesday, Sept. 25, de Francesco Building lobby. This event will offer networking opportunities, exhibitions and a demonstration of hydrogen and electric-powered vehicles, along with a special video on hydrogen production at Kutztown 5-6 p.m. The program will officially begin at 6 p.m. with a keynote address by Mr. Sami Kabbani from Reworld Waste, followed by two insightful panel discussions: "Energy for the Future" and "Sustainability Education." We are grateful to our sponsors: Air Products, UGI, Greenworks, the Sustainable Energy Fund and EnTech Engineering. The summit aims to inspire students, faculty and the community to engage in sustainability initiatives. We warmly invite you, your family and friends to join us for this impactful event.

Patricia Braga, Business Administration

Faculty Expert List

Local, regional and national media often contact KU to find experts in various fields. This exposure strengthens the university’s academic standing in the community and provides you an opportunity to be recognized for your exceptional knowledge and skills. If you are interested in being part of the university’s Media Resource Guide, please fill out this form and email it to Bryan Salvadore, salvadore@kutztown.edu. KU’s current Media Resource Guide can be found here. If you are included in last year’s guide and require updates, please contact Bryan Salvadore.

Bryan Salvadore, Communications

Business Idea Competition - Share with Students

If you are an undergraduate student at KU and if you dream of starting your own business, the Business Idea Competition is for you. This program will allow you to explain your business idea in competition with other KU students for a large cash prize. Another Information Session will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, 106 de Francesco. We hope to see you there.

Business Idea Competition

The Entrepreneurial Leadership Center

CEL Lunch Bunch

Once a month, join the Center for Engaged Learning (CEL) for a brown bag lunch. Bring an interesting new idea, a sticky problem or just your lunch. We'll chat and share ideas with our colleagues; and yes, there will be cookies. The Lunch Bunch will meet noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, Friday, Oct. 25, and Friday, Nov. 15, 6 Rohrbach Library.

Center for Engaged Learning Events

Center for Engaged Learning, Center for Engaged Learning