Hershey-native, senior Brittannie Johnston sent us this picture of some friends seen last night in Alumni Plaza.


The Daily Brief
Thursday, January 27, 2011


 Announcements

The  Language Resource Center Faculty Showcase featuring presentations by Dr. Carolina Moctezuma and Dr. Lynn Kutch has been rescheduled for next Thursday, Feb. 3, 12:30-1:50 p.m. 
        Deanne Cobb-Zygadlo, director, Language Resource Center

 Meet Dr. Omar Ramzy, our visiting Fulbright Scholar in the Department of Business Administration. 

Dr. Ramzy comes to KU from Misr International University, in Cairo, Egypt where he is a faculty member in the Marketing Department specializing in business administration and international trade. He has an extensive background in business and retail marketing including work with Procter & Gamble – Egypt, the Heliopolis Community Magazine and service as senior economist for a joint economic assistance project between Egypt and the United States. 

At KU, his research will focus on a retail-marketing project conducted with Dr. James Ogden, Department of Business Administration, titled: “Comparative Study of U.S./Egypt Integrated Retail Industry.” Dr. Ramzy will also be a guest lecturer throughout the semester and join Dr. Ogden on April 22 for the all-day conference “Meeting of the Minds.”  

A special reception will be held for Dr. Ramzy today at 12:30 p.m. in MSU 312.
To all KU Professors:  Please excuse all members of the KU Women's Bowling team on Friday, Jan. 28. They will all be at the 3rd KU Invitational at Hiester Lanes, Reading.   Team members are Kayla Stamm, Kayla Jones, Chelsea Adam, Jara Cohen, Heather Shoemaker, Molly DeMatties, Samantha Santoro, Brooke Bower, Deanna DiRado, Rebecca Velazquez, Britney Chamuras, Heather Miller, Heather Van Dyk, Khrystyna Liske. Thanks very much for your cooperation! 
         Joe Ambrose, head women's bowling coach
Chairs of the Senate Governance Committees Summit is scheduled for today, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Multicultural Center Unity Room. In case of inclement weather that results in either a university closing or delay, the meeting will be rescheduled for Feb. 17, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in a location TBA. Please check event cancellation/rescheduling for updates. Thank you.
        Jo Cohen Hamilton, Senate VP/COC Chair 
The GLBTQ Resource Center at Kutztown University celebrates its 6th anniversary next Thursday, Feb. 3, with an open house in Room 4 of Old Main from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Refreshments will be made available throughout the day. At this event, the GLBTQ Resource Center will be debuting hundreds of new book titles acquired this past semester that will be made available for rental.


This week's MSU Movie Series film is Paranormal Activity 2. It will be shown in the MSU Alumni Auditorium tonight and Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Admission is free! Check out the movie trailer on the MSU website for more information. http://www.kutztown.edu/divisions/studentservices/departments/msub/programs/submovies.asp
The brothers of Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) invite students to their information session in the MSU Multipurpose Room tonight at 7 p.m. SAE was recently recognized for having the top GPA for fraternities for fall 2010.

We are seeking candidates for the Kutztown VFW Post 560 scholarship for 2011-2012. Applications may be requested by contacting Glenn Godshall at x3-4111 or godshall@kutztown.edu. The scholarship criteria is listed herein –
  • son or daughter of an honorably discharged veteran
  • resident of either the Brandywine, Fleetwood or Kutztown Area School Districts
  • demonstrated financial need
  • maintains a 2.5 GPA and continues to participate in the ROTC program
  • commits to pursuing a commission at the point of eligibility

In the event that, in any given year, there is no award recipient as described above then:  The recipient will be a student who is accepted to and will attend Kutztown University who meets the following criteria:
  • is an honorably discharged veteran
  • resident of either the Brandywine, Fleetwood or Kutztown Area School Districts
  • demonstrated financial need
  • maintains a 2.5 GPA
 This two year award will be available during and awarded for the successful applicant’s freshman and sophomore years only.
        Glenn Godshall, director, Alumni Relations      

Keep those New Year’s resolutions and have fun doing it at the New Year’s Resolution Health Fair today, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. in the McFarland Student Union. Faculty and staff attending will have a chance to win a free Student Rec Center membership and a 30-minute massage. Aramark  promises to teach you  how to prepare healthy meals, and experts from St. Joseph’s Medical Center will provide a variety of vital screenings. Sponsored by the Campus Wellness Committee and Health & Wellness Services. For more information, please visit http://healthpromotion.dept.kutztown.edu. 

The Office of Conference Services is hiring students to serve on the Conference Services Staff Team for the summer of 2011.  This is an opportunity to work/learn/live with people of many diversified backgrounds. Good benefits (includes housing and meals) and pay. Applications are due by Feb. 16 and can be picked up in the Office of Conference Services (Education House).   Feel free to contact Terry Sitler (sitler@kutztown.edu) or Honey Svoboda (svoboda@kutztown.edu) in the Office of Conference Services x3-1359 with questions.  
        Terry L. Sitler, director, Conference Services
The Kutztown University Council of Trustees will hold a regular meeting today at 4 p.m. at the Stratton Administration Building, room 301. 
         Elsa G. Collins, Office of the President

Mennonite Culture and Community - A talk by James Weaver - Mark your calendars! This afternoon,  local farmer James Weaver, known as the father of the Bowers Chile Pepper Festival, will share insights about Mennonite life. Dr. Robert Reynolds of KU's Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center will join Weaver for questions. (Note: Campus parking will be free that afternoon for those without KU parking permits.) Time: 4 p.m. Place: Rohrbach Library - room 100B. For more information contact assistant professor Bruce Jensen at x3-4766 or rjensen@kutztown.edu.
        Karen J. Wanamaker, outreach librarian, assistant professor
ACADEMICS

The University Curriculum Committee (UCC) will meet today at 11 a.m., in MSU 312, to consider curricular proposals on its January agenda, which can be found online at http:// www.kutztown.edu/committees/ucc/agenda.html. As always, individuals and/or departments with proposals on the agenda are invited and encouraged to attend to answer any questions that may arise. 
        R.S. Schaeffer, chair, University Curriculum Committee
Creating Digital Flashcards and Other Study Aids for Your Students - The Learning Technologies Center, RL 30 in the Rohrbach Library on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 11 a.m. - Noon or Monday, Feb. 7, 2-3 p.m. 

Colleagues, attend this hands-on workshop to gain experience with Studymate. Studymate is an interactive tool you can use to easily create flashcards, pick-a-letter, matching, crosswords, and other study aids that can be added to D2L or posted on your faculty website. No knowledge of programming is necessary to use Studymate.

D2L Gradebook Workshop - Wednesday, Feb. 9, 9-10 a.m. or Thursday, Feb. 10, 10-11 a.m. The Learning Technologies Center, RL 30 in the Rohrbach Library.

Attend this workshop to learn how to configure the D2L gradebook, create gradebook entries, and enter student grades.  Learn how to create letter grade schemes and configure the gradebook so the student sees an accurate running average during the course of the semester.  Learn how to use the categories feature to automatically drop the lowest score in a series of gradebook items.  

To register for either one of these workshops, please contact Eleanor (El) Ambrose, Dept. of Learning Technologies Secretary, at x3-4900 or e-mail El at eambrose@kutztown.edu.  One-on-one training can also be arranged by contacting Will Jefferson, Learning Technologies Center Coordinator, at x3-4757 or via email at wjeffers@kutztown.edu. Visit our website to learn about other upcoming workshops and events at www.kutztown.edu/academics/lt.

ATHLETICS
KU Women's NCAA Bowling Event to be webcasted live! For the first time in NCAA women's bowling history, a regular season event will be webcasted live in its entirety on www.bowl.com, in conjunction with the United States Bowling Congress. The KU Invitational will have 28 teams competing and 14 of the top 20 in the nation as well, making it the largest tournament in the nation for the second straight year.  The event will be held at Heister Lanes in Reading, Pa. on Jan. 28, 29 and 30 and admission at the lanes is free! If you can not get there, you can watch online from anywhere. Starting times each day are 11 a.m. on Friday, 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, 8:30 a.m. on Sunday. Come out and support the #7 nationally ranked KU Golden Bears in their final home event of the season. 
        Joe Ambrose, head women's bowling coach

Weekly Home Athletics Schedule 
Friday, Jan. 28
Women’s Bowling: Kutztown Invitational, Heister Lanes, Reading, Noon 
Saturday, Jan. 29
Women’s Bowling: Kutztown Invitational, Heister Lanes, Reading, 9 a.m. 
Sunday, Jan. 30
Women’s Bowling: Kutztown Invitational, Heister Lanes, Reading, 9 a.m.

ARAMARK

 Viewpoints Menu - Today: Breaded pork chops with onion gravy, vegetarian black beans and peppers, whipped red skin potatoes, sesame vegetables and ginger honey carrots. Soups of the day are turkey rice and vegetarian cream of broccoli.

Friday: Hand breaded chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, steak fries, stewed tomatoes and sautéed green beans with dill. Soups of the day are Manhattan clam chowder and cream of tomato. 

In Case You Missed It:
 (Announcements and other information that have previously appeared in the Daily Brief.)


 Academic Building evacuation drills nearing completion - Thank you to all faculty, staff, and students who participated in the required semi-annual fire/evacuation drill during the first few days of the semester. A few reminders need to be communicated to make these evacuation processes more efficient: 

1. The last person out of any room should turn off the lights and close the door to the hallway.
 2. Occupants should utilize the CLOSEST exit door, not just the familiar one, using ALL available exits will eliminate logjams in stairways of densely populated buildings.
 3. Once outside, keep walking well clear of the building exits so others may follow without obstruction and emergency responders can gain access quickly if needed.   
        Mark W. Hostetter, fire safety technician
GLBTQ Center hosts Spanish movie night tonight, at 6 p.m. in room 4 of Old Main. The GLBTQ Resource Center is showing Todo Sobre Mi Madre (All About My Mother), a dramatic comedy addressing issues like AIDs, transvestitism, faith and existentialism. Popcorn and light refreshments will be provided. This event is open to students, faculty, staff, alumni and the public.  For more information contact the GLBTQ Resource Center at x6-4111.
The KU Philosophy Club will meet today, 11 a.m. in MSU 323. Professor M. Ashraf Adeel, Department of Philosophy, will be speaking: Levinas and Islamic Ethics of the Other.
        Zachary Groff, president and Allan Bäck, advisor

KUBoK Neighborhood Watch will be hosting their Spring Training session on Wednesday, Feb 9 at 7 p.m. in the Academic Forum, Room 102. Any faculty, staff, or students interested in participating should plan to attend this training. Please direct questions or requests for more information to Amanda Keith, graduate assistant for KUBoK  by e-mailing  KUBoKWatch@gmail.com.
        Amanda Keith, graduate assistant for KUBoK

Each year, Kutztown University recognizes a group of students as inductees into Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities. Students eligible for the honor:
-must have completed a minimum of 75 credits entering the spring 2011 semester,
-have a grade point average above or near 2.75, and
-demonstrate meaningful participation in volunteer activities (including student organizations) at Kutztown University or the local community.  

 Students selected for this honor are those students who enhance the positive image of America's young adults through their contributions to the local, regional or national community and KU. Honorees are invited to an official ceremony during the spring 2011 semester. If you know of students who you feel meet these criteria, please encourage them to apply for this honor. The online application is available at http://www.kutztown.edu/divisions/studentservices/do/awards.aspx.

Please take a few moments to share this with your students – one method may be to print this out and pass it around your classes. Or, for those who are “green” please forward this to their email.

The deadline to apply is Feb. 28. Any questions may be sent to Jenni Rach, assistant director for Student Union and Involvement Services:  rach@kutztown.edu. Thank you for your time and consideration in sharing this opportunity with our students.
        Dr. Trisha Scarcia-King, director, Student Union & Involvement Services

Spring Commencement Speakers sought - We are seeking outstanding students to offer commencement addresses at the two spring undergraduate ceremonies. In order to be considered for this distinction, a student must: have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 entering the spring 2011 semester; demonstrate service to the university community and demonstrate a record of good university citizenship and cooperation; demonstrate evidence of meaningful co-curricular involvement, and be in good disciplinary standing.

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. The chosen candidates will be expected to provide a brief address (approximately three to five minutes) at their respective spring commencement ceremony scheduled for Saturday, May 7. 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 www.kutztown.edu/divisions/studentservices. The application deadline is Friday, Mar. 4. Thank you!
        Julie Nolan, director, Community Relations and Development Services

PASSHE Student Certification – This notice is not for AFSCME or SCUPA employees (members of PEBTF).  PASSHE student certification forms were sent out via email on Jan. 24 to employees with dependent students over age 19.  Certification forms and National Clearinghouse or Registrar verification of full-time status for Spring 2011 semester are due back in H.R. by Feb. 28 to ensure uninterrupted coverage for your dependent. If forms are not received, dependent coverage will be ended retroactively to Jan 1, 2011 and COBRA notification will be issued. As always, if your dependent is no longer a FT student, H.R. should be promptly notified. Questions addressed to Ask HR a Question will be replied to promptly. 
        Jean E. Adam, Benefits Manager

The deadline to nominate an outstanding alumnus for a 2011 Alumni Award is drawing near!  All submissions need to be in by Tuesday, Feb. 1 to the Alumni Office.  For more details and a list of past winners, please see our webpage at http://www.kutztown.edu/alumni/wiesenberger/Awards/awards.htm. For more information, please contact Alta Hart, Alumni Relations.
       

Administrative reminder to faculty - Departmental committees are to forward the nominations of department chair candidates to their dean no later than Feb. 15. The deans will forward the recommendations through the provost to the president. The president will inform the departments if the nominees are acceptable. After approval of nominees, elections shall be concluded no later than Apr. 15. The department chairpersons are asked to notify the president, the provost, their dean and departmental members of the results of the election. 
         Elsa G. Collins, Office of the President

You know someone who fits this description. You have had this person in class. This student has interned with your office. Superior in every way. Always the over-achiever. Excellent projects. Unbelievable art. A thought leader. A performance that makes you wonder. A paper which is so interesting, research so in-depth. You know this person is worthy of this award.

The Kutztown University Academic Achievement Awards are presented to a select group of seniors who have achieved exceptional individual achievements in specified areas. The awards were established through a generous gift provided by Dr. Carlson R. Chambliss, who served as a member of the Kutztown University faculty from 1970 until 2003.

Faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to nominate students. 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 Kutztown University community.  

The application is easy - takes 10-12 minutes. http://www.kutztown.edu/news/brief/2011/January/aaw_nomination_form.pdf

Send the completed form and any support documents over to the Office of the Associate Vice President for Student Services and Campus Life, MSU 262 by Feb. 10. If you have any questions, please e-mail me or call me, nolan@kutztown.edu. Thanks very much for your support!
        Julie Nolan, director, Community Relations and Development Services

Financial aid requirements are changing for all students! Beginning fall 2011, major changes are being made to the Financial Aid progress requirements. Information sessions will be held to inform the campus community about these changes. All faculty and staff are encouraged to attend a session if they advise students in matters of enrollment and did not attend a session in the fall semester. The sessions will be held in the Academic Forum, room 102 at the following dates and times: 

This morning - 11 a.m.
Friday, Jan. 28 - noon

Please encourage your students to attend. 75-80% of all students at KU receive a form of financial aid! 
        Lisa Schroeder, assistant director, Office of Financial Aid