Alumni Spotlight
Tracy Garnick ’91 & ‘96

Tracy Garnick has been involved with Kutztown University for over 15 years, but she took her involvement to a new level by accepting the position as KU Alumni Board President earlier this year. “From the moment I walked onto campus, I have always felt at home at KU,” says Garnick, “so, it was like second nature to stay involved.”

Her first visit to Kutztown’s campus was in the 1980’s when Garnick was searching for a good school relatively close to home. “I met some students from KU when I visited and just fell in love with the campus. I loved living in Old Main. The campus environment was great – very personable. I also liked being involved so much as a student.” Garnick enjoyed cheering and serving on Student Government Board while at KU pursuing her degree in Speech Communication (1991). She liked KU so much that she returned for her M. Ed. Student Affairs in Higher Education degree which she earned in 1996.

Garnick worked in higher education at several colleges and universities before choosing the entrepreneurial route. She now runs her own beauty salon and day spa in the Scranton Wilkes-Barre area, which gives her more flexibility to spend time with her family, including 6 year old daughter, Jace, who Garnick calls her “most prized accomplishment.”

But even with her busy schedule, Garnick still finds time to stay connected to her alma mater. “I came back to KU for my Master’s degree and then stayed involved since then – mostly with KUSSI, as Board Member for the Student Government Association. And, then four years ago I was asked to join the Alumni Board.” Glenn Godshall, director of Alumni Relations, recognized Garnick’s energy and commitment for KU and encouraged her to become a more active member of the Alumni Association. “I knew that she would not only bring a lot to the Alumni Board and help move us forward, but that she would also get a lot out of it, and enjoy it,” explains Godshall.

Garnick has enjoyed being a member of Board, watching the campus continue to grow and change for the better. “I love how the new buildings blend with the old, giving campus a fresh look but with the same old charm.” As far as Garnick is concerned, she’ll be around campus to witness the changes for years to come, although she’s not sure which direction she’ll choose next.

For now, Garnick is focusing on her final responsibility as president of Alumni Board – speaking at spring commencement. “Giving advice to future alums is a huge responsibility,” says Garnick, “I’m not nervous about delivering the speech to them, I’m more nervous about what I’m going to say!” But, she already has most of it in mind. “Things usually come to me in the middle of the night. Once, I got up at 2 a.m. and went to work. Hopefully, it will hit home with graduates – I want it to be meaningful yet light-hearted.”

Whatever her final words of wisdom may be, Garnick continues to inspire by example. As Godshall explains, “Tracy has demonstrated a great affection for and commitment to KU which is great for students and graduates to see.”