President’s Newsletter: November 2025

From the Desk of Dr. Philip Cavalier

President of Kutztown University

President's Update

November is here and we've entered the final stretch of the fall semester. Last month was highlighted by beautiful weather and numerous campus events, filled with tradition and pride.

Homecoming was a memorable experience. I was grateful to meet so many Golden Bear alums from different eras and hear their stories from KU and beyond. It renewed, once again, the strong sense I have that Kutztown is a remarkable institution, committed to helping students thrive.

One of my highlights of this semester was the Merchant Trick-or-Treat. I was incredibly proud of the 42 student organizations that participated, developed elaborate themes, decorations, costumes, and made it a memorable event for the Kutztown community.

I had a great time giving out donuts to students on Halloween morning (dressing the part as Scooby-Doo characters alongside my office staff and colleagues). This is obviously serious work we do, but it is important to have fun as well. I do want the community to know the fun side of me. Many students have talked to me about how much they've enjoyed the different Instagram videos with music and light-hearted humor (more videos to come before the holiday season).

November at KU is championship season for our fall NCAA varsity athletic programs. I'm incredibly proud of what our field hockey team accomplished – to go 18-0 during the regular season is remarkable. I am really looking forward to watching our run in the NCAA field hockey playoffs in pursuit of a second national championship, beginning at 6 p.m. this Saturday, Nov. 15, at Andre Reed Stadium vs. Assumption.

I'm also looking forward to the PSAC Championship football game at Andre Reed Stadium this Saturday, Nov. 15, as our undefeated Golden Bears (10-0) host IUP at noon for a chance at a third-straight conference title. I've been impressed again with how consistently dominant our team is on the gridiron. It demonstrates a work ethic that is exceptional.

I also want to give a shoutout to the women's volleyball team for its tremendous growth over the past year. Kudos to our new coach and the young women who turned things round. I commend the entire Golden Bear Athletic Department for its success this fall, including a hopeful NCAA bid for the women's soccer team and strong NCAA finishes by men’s and women’s cross country.

In addition to being top-notch athletes on the playing venues, our student-athletes continue to exhibit tremendous academic success. A great example of this is Sophia Knerr, our PSAC Champion Scholar award winner from the women's cross country team. Sophia had the top GPA at the PSAC championships last month – a 4.0 as a social work major. Well done!

Our next town halls are coming up: faculty/staff Nov. 13; students Nov. 18. We had a great turnout last time, but I'm looking forward to growing the town hall audience and would love to see even more people this time. We will focus on enrollment at the faculty/staff town hall and will engage students about their interests and concerns.

The admissions recruiting season is off to a good start. Applications are up for first-time, first-year students, as well as transfer students – a positive indicator this early in the process. We've hosted two successful open houses (standing room only in Schaeffer Auditorium), had positive interactions with superintendents and guidance counselors, and continue to foster relationships with our local districts (I have six more visits planned in the coming weeks). In addition, I continue to engage with the borough of Kutztown community, alongside Mayor Schlegel and the borough's council members, as well as other constituencies throughout the region.

Thanksgiving is around the corner and I'm looking forward to enjoying a couple days in the house with my family and being part of the community. I wish the entire KU Family a Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you can rest and enjoy time with your friends and family.  

Phil (Dr. Cav)

Division Updates

Academic Affairs

The Provost's Excellence in Teaching Professional Development Grant program is intended to provide up to $3,000 as an additional resource for faculty engaging in activities that support continuous improvement in instruction. This program supplements funding currently available through the Professional Development Committee (PDC) and other sources. All full-time tenure-track and tenured faculty are eligible to apply, with a deadline of Nov. 28. More information about the application process can be found on the provost’s website.

Equity & Compliance

Kutztown University's Green Dot Program is a bystander intervention training initiative that gives students, faculty and staff on campus realistic, safe and effective tools for intervening as a bystander in response to concerning behaviors they identify on campus. The overarching goal of the Green Dot Program is to change the culture here on our campus so everyone in our community knows sexual assault, dating/domestic violence and stalking are not tolerated here at Kutztown University and everyone is expected to do their part in preventing these behaviors. During the 2024-25 academic year, more than 250 students participated in Green Dot Bystander Intervention Workshops, a number we are on track to exceed during the 2025-26 academic year.

Finance & Facilities

The Office of Students Accounts is providing assistance to students experiencing delays with their Pennsylvania State Grant. Students who are waiting on approved Pennsylvania State Grants and are expecting a refund have been offered an opportunity to request an advance of the grant in the form of Bear Bucks to help them with groceries at our two local grocery stores and school supplies needed through our two campus store locations. In addition, students wishing to enroll in winter courses and are expecting a refund from an approved State Grant are allowed to defer that portion of the payment to use the state-grant funds to cover the course and simply pay the difference, if one exists.

KU Foundation

Thank you for coming together to support another record-breaking 1866 Minute Giving Challenge! In just 1,866 minutes, the KU community raised more than $394,000 to support academics, athletics, capital projects and student clubs and organizations – and nearly $423,000 was raised through the end of Homecoming weekend. We are grateful for the support of the KU community. Homecoming 2025 was nothing short of spectacular. With record attendance, the energy was electric and the Golden Bear Pride was on full display – from the sea of maroon and gold on campus, to joyful reunions and spirited events filled with laughter, memories and a shared love for our KU. Thank you for making it a day to remember.

Student Affairs

As the season of gratitude arrives, Golden Bears are encouraged to share their blessings with those in need. With state funds currently frozen, many KU students have not received their state aid and are struggling to afford food and rent. Donations to the Bear Essentials Pantry help students finish the semester strong. Non-perishable items can be dropped off at 153 McFarland Student Union: gluten-free items, macaroni and cheese, pasta, peanut butter, granola bars, breakfast bars, rice, rice and beans, crackers. Together, we can provide our students with nourishment to complete the semester successfully. To support local families, Friend, Inc. Community Services depends on donated holiday meal food boxes. KU's Community Outreach Center students coordinate the collection and delivery of these decorated boxes, assembled by members of the KU community. Prefer to donate instead of shop? Contribute a $30 Giant gift card and students will handle the shopping and packing for you. Holidays will be brighter for local families because of our contributions.

University Relations, Athletics & Enrollment

Our Admissions team, currently a part of University Relations and Athletics, is planning a new collaboration event with Reading School District. The event will be held at Reading High School, 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2. The event will include a bilingual Admissions and Financial Aid 101 Session, a student panel with KU Board of Governors scholarships students who are Reading School District alumni, and a Student Services Conversation to include the staff from the KU Multicultural Center, Student Success, and Student Affairs teams.

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