Daily Brief

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Each year, Kutztown University chooses two students to offer a Commencement address on behalf of graduating seniors. In order to be considered for this distinction, a student must meet the following minimum requirements:

In addition, each candidate must complete the Senior Class Commencement Speaker application. This application, along with an interview process, will be used to determine the candidates of choice. If you know students who you think are excellent representatives of our student body, please encourage them to apply for this honor. The application is available at campuslife.kutztown.edu along with information about associated deadlines.

Academic Achievement Awards. Each year, we are fortunate to be able to recognize a select group of senior students who have excelled individually in a specific area during their time at KU. Through a generous gift provided by Dr. Carlson R. Chambliss, who served as a member of the KU faculty from 1970 until 2003, the Academic Achievement Awards are presented to those students who have attained exceptional achievements in a specific discipline. Faculty and staff at KU are strongly encouraged to nominate students worthy of consideration for this prestigious award. The areas of individual achievement are:
      a) Successfully completed research projects.
       b) Original artwork of high quality.
       c) Artistic performances (music, chorus, drama, etc.) of high quality.
       d) Original writing in literature or meritorious writing in other fields.
       e) Noteworthy achievements in athletics.
       f) Outstanding service to the KU community.

The deadline is quickly approaching - Friday, Feb. 12. Completed nomination forms with supporting documentation can be submitted to the Office of the Associate Vice President for Student Services and Campus Life, room 262 McFarland Student Union. Any questions about the process may be directed to watrous@kutztown.edu.

If you have a student you think would qualify for the Academic Achievement Award, please take the time to submit his/her name. Last year’s recipients are listed below:

Patrick Donmoyer- Studio Art/Printmaking, Crafts & German Minor
Casey Smith - Geology & Criminal Justice

Silver Medal Winners:

Michael Barkasi – Philosophy
John Burnett - Psychology
Amanda Keith- English
Matthew Twombly - Communication Design

Copper Medal Winners:

Sara Anthony & Stephanie Petrucci - Biology
Kelley Healey - Biology/ Pre-Professional
Mary Lord - History
Kelsey Shelton - Communication Design
Andrew Smouse - Music Education
Justin Sorensen - Studio Art, Printmaking

Support Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society RHO Chapter by eating at Friendly’s Restaurant, 6894 Hamilton Boulevard, Trexlertown, this Monday, Feb. 8 between 5-8 p.m. Ten percent of all proceeds will be donated to XAE. Chi Alpha Epsilon, Rho Chapter is a national honor society dedicated to supporting achievement-oriented students. In the past year, fundraising has been used to support The Ronald McDonald House in Hershey and to host two groups of students from the Olivet Boys and Girls Club in Reading to tour campus followed by pizza and a discussion with group members. We have also volunteered at Reading Hospital. We hope to see you there!

Paula Plageman, co-advisor Chi Alpha Epsilon
Amy Trumbauer, co-advisor Chi Alpha Epsilon

Black History Month Presentation. The Rohrbach Library Voices and Choices Center invites the campus community to attend a presentation by Mr. Frank Gilyard, President of the Central Pennsylvania African American Museum on Thursday, Feb. 11 at 11 a.m. on the second floor of the Rohrbach Library. Mr. Gilyard will speak about the history of the Berks County Underground Railroad.

The Center for Lifelong Learning & Professional Development is offering a free public seminar on adopting puppy mill dogs. Dr. Mary Lombardo, VMD, Mahoning Valley Animal Hospital, and Susan Bulanda, nationally-recognized animal behaviorist, will deliver a seminar at TEK Park on Saturday, Feb. 13, at 1 p.m. The purpose of the event is to provide information to canine rescue groups, shelters, or individuals fostering puppy mill dogs. Topics will include the vetting, placement and special needs of canines raised in commercial breeding environments with an emphasis on the behavioral aspects of rehabilitation. For pre-registration, kindly contact The Center for Lifelong Learning, 610-683-1382 or e-mail frisciao@kutztown.edu

The Community Outreach Center is sponsoring a blood drive for Miller Keystone on Tuesday, Feb. 16 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. in 218 McFarland Student Union and are in need of donors. If interested in being a donor, please contact Daniel D’Haiti at ddhai270@live.kutztown.edu, at 484-646-4127 or stop in or sign up at the Community Outreach Center, 281 McFarland Student Union. Walk-ins are welcome.

Nancy Brynildsen, secretary, Dean for Student Services

The members of the Organization for Latino Awareness and Sigma Delta Pi National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society invite you to join them for "Conversación y comida," an informal, student-run opportunity to chat in Spanish while snacking! It is on Tuesday, Feb. 9, at 11 a.m., in DeFrancesco 114. The topic will be "Street Spanish." ¡Vamos!

Dr. Christine Coleman Núñez and Dr. Dawn Slack, Co-Advisors, Department of Modern Language Studies

African American Celebration. The staff of the Multicultural Center invites you to African American Celebration on Tuesday, Feb. 9, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room of McFarland Student Union. This year’s celebration will feature Reggie Wayne Morris Blues Band. Reggie hails from Baltimore and plays the blues with an infectious passion. Having spent a great deal of his childhood on his grandparent’s farm outside of Charlottesville, VA, he was reared on Gospel at the local Southern Baptist Church. The Blues was also a big part of Reggie's family life. Over the years, Reggie has developed an upbeat, rockin’ style Chicago-blues sound that pays homage to those who bore witness and spread the Blues News from generation to generation. Reggie's music often reflects the moods and grooves of yesterday, but his contemporary lyrics have caught the attention of major music publishers, record companies and concert promoters. The Reggie Wayne Morris Blues Band has gained a national audience in the United States and has recently accepted tour dates in Germany, Italy and throughout Europe. Limited soul food sample provided.

Kutztown University and APSCUF will host the 2010 Faculty/Professional Staff Retirement and Emeriti Recognition Dinner on May 1at 6 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room of the McFarland Student Union. To date the following individuals have confirmed their participation:

If you are planning to retire or are aware of an individual who will be retiring in the near future, please contact Joseph Robinson in the President’s Office by Friday, Feb. 12 at ext. 3-4103 or via e-mail: jrobinso@kutztown.edu.

Sexy Friends: Enjoy Valentine Experiences on Thursday, Feb. 11, in the McFarland Student Union Multipurpose room from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. United Greek Council, Friends of Rachel, H.E.A.R.T., President’s Roundtable, and the KU Health Ambassadors have joined together to provide an experience for students, staff and faculty. Bring your spare change and vote for your favorite display, participate in speed meeting to earn an entry into the booth, and most of all be our Valentine! Money raised in the challenge will be donated to charity. For more information, please call 610-683-4240.

KU will host the annual Central Eastern Regional Science Olympiad for the first time ever on March 11 (snow date March 12) at 8:30 a.m. With more than 600 middle and high school students from grades 6-13 competing in a series of challenging events, there is a great need for student, faculty, staff and community volunteers in the following areas: greeters, registration, food voucher sales, food delivery, lost & found, score checkers and many more. Please check out our Web site at www.kutztown.edu/acad/physci/olympiad or contact Sara Serrano at sserr562@live.kutztown.edu for general event information or to volunteer.

I am sad to report the passing of a graduate student in the Secondary Education, English program at KU. Andrew Woodward of West Lawn, PA, died peacefully on Wednesday, Feb. 3. I worked with Andy in the University Writing Center, where he served not only as a tutor, but also as my Assistant Manager (I used to call him the Keeper of My Sanity). This semester, he had begun student teaching. Andy was a renaissance man, with an undergraduate degree in philosophy, minors in math and music, and a gift with computers. He was an excellent student, both in his studies at KU and at Virginia Polytechnic Institute, racking up accolades for his scholarly dedication. More than that, Andy was a kind, gentle soul who will be sadly missed by classmates, colleagues and friends. A campus memorial service is being planned.

To submit items for the Daily Brief, please e-mail dbrief@kutztown.edu (no attachments) to the University Relations Office by 2 p.m. on the day prior to publication.

Persons with a disability and who require accommodation should notify the KU Disability Services Office two weeks prior to the event at 610-683-4108 (TDD: 610-683-4499) or e-mail accommodation@kutztown.edu in order to discuss accommodations. Every effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodations.