KU Department of Cinema, Television and Media Production to Host ‘Tower Talks’

Tower Talks with clock tower.

KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Kutztown University's Department of Cinema, Television and Media Production will host Tower Talks, a new speaker event on campus, 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 13, Rickenbach Auditorium. The event features KU alumni, faculty, staff and students and is a great way to showcase the talent that is part of the KU experience.

Tower Talks welcomes anyone from the greater Kutztown community to join. Doors open at 7 p.m. for in person and virtual livestreaming audience members. Doors will close at 7:15 p.m. in preparation for the livestream.

There are two featured speakers this year. KU alumnae and one of the stars from Bravo's Million Dollar Listing, Talia McKinney, will speak about her career journey into the heart of New York City as a woman of color. KU student and Reading City councilman, Wesley Butler, will share his experience running for Reading City Council. Both talks are designed to be an inspiration to audience members with themes of hard work, determination, reaching goals and finding success.

From 4-5:30 p.m., there will be a meet and greet with McKinney in 183 MSU Alumni Auditorium. McKinney will begin her talk in Rickenbach Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. and will be followed by Butler’s presentation at 8 p.m.

Cara Cotellese, professor of Cinema, Television and Media Production, is overjoyed that this event has finally come to fruition.

"This is the pilot episode for Tower Talks; we are very excited," Cotellese said. "Not only does this show provide an opportunity for livestreaming for the students in the CTM department, but its goal is to highlight alum, staff, faculty and current students from KU. There is so much that is good to talk about, and I am glad we are finally able to have a way to share that with others. The hope is that this show will happen each semester going forward to continue to showcase all the talent that is part of the KU experience."

The event is sponsored by the Departments of Cinema, Media and Television Production and the Department of Communication Studies. Additional support is provided by the Association of Campus Events, College of Visual and Performing Arts (Dean's Office), KU Foundation, KU Multicultural Center and KU Student Organizations, PERFORUM and Spotlight.

To join Talia McKinney's livestream, please go to https://kupmediasite.passhe.edu/Mediasite/Play/e9e4a64834994268aa90214ad8114f981d.

To join Wesley Butler's livestream, please go to https://kupmediasite.passhe.edu/Mediasite/Play/3feef314cb3d4c649c3b96b5310af4ca1d.