Daily Brief

Lauren McNeil's Dissertation Defense

The College of Education announces a Public Oral Dissertation Presentation by Lauren Susan McNeil, "The Causes and Effects of Procuring a Culturally Relevant and Sustaining Educational Pedagogy," 4:30-6:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 16, 218 and 240 Beekey. The dissertation committee chair is Dr. Andrew Miness and the committee members are Dr. Denise Bosler and Dr. Cheryl Leatherbarrow.

Lauren McNeil's Dissertation

Catherine McGeehan, EDD Program

Today: Presidential Candidate B Open Forums

KU Presidential Candidate B is on campus for open forums today, Wednesday, April 2, 218 MSU. The KU Presidential Search website has been updated to include the CV for Candidate B. CVs can be accessed using the "presidential candidates" link on the webpage. Open Forum schedule is as follows:
- Managers: 9-9:50 a.m.
- Union-Represented Staff (AFSCME, SCUPA, SPFPA, OPEIU, Coaches): 10-10:50 a.m.
- Faculty: 11-11:50 a.m.
- Students: 1-1:50 p.m.

University Relations

Chambliss Faculty Research Lecture Featuring Dr. Feisal Murshed

Dr. Feisal Murshed, associate professor of Business Administration, will present Kutztown University's Spring 2025 Chambliss Faculty Research Lecture titled, “The making of an academic brand: My journey of curiosity, discovery, and impact,” 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, 183 McFarland Student Union and via Zoom. The presentation will explore Murshed's scholarly journey, highlighting the evolution of his work through an in-depth exploration of the sustainability challenges facing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), a crucial issue that will shape the future for both businesses and society. All are welcome to attend.

Zoom

Office of the Provost

5K Run and Walk

The campus community is invited to stop in, join the fun and take on the challenge. Lace up for our "5K Run and Walk." We will meet 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, Andre Reed Stadium track; all levels are welcome. The benefits of exercise include boosting brain function and performance and acting as a powerful stress reliever. We invite the campus community to participate.

Frances C. Cortez Funk, Health and Wellness Services

Spring Into Success: A Wicked Good Time to Be Golden

What if helping students succeed was as easy as clicking their heels? From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday, April 3, 218 MSU, students are invited to "Spring Into Success: A Wicked Good Time to Be Golden," where they'll discover support services, connect with resources and enter for a chance to win a spellbinding prize basket. Just like Elphaba and Glinda, students can find strength in connection. For those facing challenges (i.e., repeating courses, low GPAs or navigating a transfer to a new institution), this event offers the chance to build competence, independence and purpose, all while meeting the folks who can help them soar. Please encourage your students to stop by. Sometimes, it takes a village or a whole Emerald City. Let’s help our students defy gravity and discover what it means to truly be golden. If you have any questions about this event, please email Jess Hainley (hainley@kutztown.edu) or Sam Laflame (laflame@kutztown.edu). P.S. We promise no flying monkeys. 

Office of Student Assistance

Jessica Hainley, Office of Student Assistance

Bloody Throats and Melting Skin, The 2025 Esther Willits Lecture

The Department of History presents our biennial Esther Willits Lecture Series with "Bloody Throats and Melting Skin: The (Sometimes) Violent Debate between Antitoxin and Vaccination in Pennsylvania, 1905-08," at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 3, 102 Academic Forum. Our featured speaker is Dr. James Higgins, executive director of the Lehigh County Historical Society and Museum. In 1905, the Pennsylvania Department of Health initiated campaigns to treat people, especially children, infected with tetanus or diphtheria with an antitoxin. Within a year, thousands of people had been treated with antitoxin, the mortality rate of both diseases cut in half and hundreds of lives saved. At the same time, the department's efforts to vaccinate children against the deadliest disease in human history, smallpox, were met with fierce resistance. Higgins' lecture explores the ghastly symptoms of these diseases and why the public was willing to have a cure (antitoxin) shot in their arm, but often remained unwilling to accept a preventive vaccination against smallpox, a disease even worse than tetanus or diphtheria. This lecture will explore the intersection of biology, public health, political will and public discourse and, though rooted in the past, the topic is timely in a world facing numerous microbial threats as record numbers of Americans assail science and the efficacy of vaccines. Higgins is a historian of medicine, has researched, lectured and published extensively on the subject of infectious disease in the pre-antibiotic era and has published two books. His latest book, “The War Against Tuberculosis: Samuel G. Dixon and the Rise of Modern Public Health in Pennsylvania,” published in 2025 forms the basis for his lecture. He was an adjunct professor in the history department from 2009-12.

History Department

John Stanley, Interim Chair, History

HECBC Deadline Approaching

A final reminder that the deadline for the Higher Education Council of Berks County (HECBC) conference is 4 p.m. Friday, April 4 (not 11:59 p.m.). The conference is Saturday, April 26, at Reading Area Community College (RACC). For more information and to register, please see the conference website and the proposal form. As in past years, KU will provide transportation between KU and RACC. Please have your students contact Heather Arbuckle if they would like to take advantage of that opportunity.

Lynn M Kutch, Undergraduate Research and Creativity

Spring 2025 Late-Start Courses Attendance Verification Process

The initial attendance verification for late-start courses, which is required federally for awarding of financial aid Policy ACA-090, is available for faculty in Starfish through Tuesday, April 8. Faculty should indicate whether students have attended or have never attended by utilizing one of two flags. Please be sure to verify the attendance status of every student. For additional assistance, please email starfish@kutztown.edu, call 610-683-4106 or attend a Starfish drop-in training session.

Nancy Brynildsen, The Center for Student Success and Academic Excellence

Call for Nominations: 2025 John P. Schellenberg Award

The purpose of this award was established by John P. Schellenberg, professor emeritus of physical sciences, faculty, alumni and friends to recognize an early career faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding work within the mission of the Center for Engaged Learning. To be eligible for the award, an individual must have been on the faculty full-time at least three but not more than seven years. The recipient will be chosen based on the following three areas:
1. Pedagogy and Curriculum Innovation
2. Learning Technology Innovation
3. Assessment and/or Research on Learning
The recipient will be awarded $1,250 check and an engraved plaque. Please submit a nomination letter and curriculum vitae to Douglas Scott at dscott@kutztown.edu by 4:30 p.m. Friday, April 4. Nominated candidates are also required to submit their own letter (maximum of two pages) that clearly outlines their qualifications in all three categories mentioned above. This letter should be sent to dscott@kutztown.edu. Please visit the Schellenberg Award page for more information.

Center for Engaged Learning

CEL Spring '25 Remaining Events

Check out the Center for Engaged Learning (CEL)'s remaining events for Spring 2025. We’d be thrilled to see you there. Unless otherwise noted, all events are held at 6 Rohrbach Library. For full details, please visit our Events page.
- Hour of Power: join us in the CEL for a one-hour writing retreat to refocus, recharge and write. Register for 1-2 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, and/or 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, April 15.
- Playing the Funding Game Workshop, Tuesday, April 15: discover KU's many funding opportunities, from mini-assessment grants to KU BEARS. We'll explore what’s available, share tips for writing successful applications and help you develop an action plan to support your scholarship and teaching.
- Lunch Bunch: Noon to 1 p.m. Friday, April 25 - bring a fresh idea, a tough challenge or just your lunch. Join us for informal conversations with colleagues, and yes, there will be cookies.
- Comp Conversations: 11-11:50 a.m. Thursday, April 10 - topic will be on Inclusive and Supportive Composition. How do we support students who need it most during divisive times? Let’s talk about encouraging student voice, fostering respectful dialogue and building community in the classroom.
- Comp Conversations: 11-11:50 a.m. Thursday, May 8 - topic will be on O.E.R.s and Open-Access Resources for COMP. Learn how to access the OER textbook written by KU composition faculty, along with other open-access resources, readings and tech tools to support student success in Composition.
- Save the Date: KUCC is 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, April 14, MSU. A light breakfast will be available in 223 MSU (Formal Dining Room) and lunch will be served at noon. Faculty members are encouraged to bring their classes to experience the excellent academic presentations and creative work of Kutztown students.

CEL Events

Center for Engaged Learning

Fisher Named Coach of the Year; Seven Golden Bear Wrestlers Named All-PSAC

The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference released its Wrestling All-Conference and major award winners for the 2024-25 season, with Kutztown University wrestling head coach Robert Fisher being named the Coach of the Year and seven wrestlers being honored on the three All-Conference teams. Fisher was named the conference's best coach for the second time in his career after leading some of Kutztown's best wrestling in program history in 2024-25. The 24th-year head coach enjoyed massive success in dual competition this season, beginning early with a 30-point win against Frostburg State and a 40-point win over Fairmont State. The team opened their home season with a program-record 50-point shutout over American International, followed by a six-point upset over 14th-ranked Gannon while holding their final three opponents to a 102-30 scoring mark. Fisher's efforts earned him the NCAA Super Region I Coach of the Year honor, the first regional recognition of his career.

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Sports Information