Daily Brief

Dissertation Defense for Margaret Lerch

Please join the College of Education 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, 213 Beekey, for a public dissertation defense by Margaret Lerch, "Resonant Cracks in the Music Curriculum: Integrating Social and Emotional Learning in the Secondary Music Classroom." The dissertation chair is Dr. Christopher Weiler and the committee members are Dr. Amber Pabon and Dr. David Ramage.

Catherine McGeehan, College of Education, Ed.D. program

Trio Caribe Wins Second Prize at PMTA Keystone Chamber Music Competition

We are happy to announce that KU Music Department students, violinist Jade De Los Santos, cellist Alejandro Bolivar and pianist Andres Zuluaga, have won second prize in the Young Artist Division at the 2026 PMTA Keystone Chamber Music Competition as Trio Caribe. We are proud of their achievement and of their coach, piano professor, Dr. Maria Asteriadou. Congratulations to the trio.

PMTA Chamber Music Winners

Maya Strava Kokkinou, Department of Music

Fraternity Performs at Retirement Community

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, a music fraternity at Kutztown University, recently performed at the Frederick Living retirement community in Zieglerville, Pa. Their music consisted of choral music sung by Kutztown University students and alumni.

University Relations

Kutztown SBDC Showcases Experiential Learning and Small Business Support in Harrisburg

The Kutztown University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) recently traveled to Harrisburg alongside fellow Pennsylvania SBDC centers to highlight the impact of SBDCs in supporting small businesses across the Commonwealth. This collaborative effort brought together centers from across Pennsylvania, including Widener SBDC, Bucknell SBDC and Shippensburg SBDC, to share success stories, demonstrate outcomes and reinforce the value of continued investment in small business support services. During the visit, the Kutztown SBDC emphasized its unique experiential learning model, which connects Kutztown University students with real-world consulting opportunities. Through this approach, students apply classroom knowledge to provide technical assistance in critical business areas such as social media strategy, search engine optimization and artificial intelligence. These services help Pennsylvania entrepreneurs improve their digital presence, increase operational efficiency and drive business growth. At the same time, students gain hands-on experience that prepares them for the workforce or their own entrepreneurial ventures. Rachael Wolfe represented the Kutztown SBDC, sharing outcomes and insights from these programs and highlighting how student-driven consulting contributes to measurable impact for small businesses. By leveraging the skills students are developing at Kutztown University, the SBDC continues to play a key role in helping entrepreneurs start, grow and sustain their businesses. This model not only strengthens individual businesses but also contributes to broader economic development across Pennsylvania. The Kutztown SBDC remains committed to advancing experiential learning while delivering high-quality, no-cost support to the small business community.

Kutztown University Small Business Development Center

Rachael Wolfe, Kutztown Small Business Development Center

FDI Faculty & Student Scholars Present at PASSHE FDI Collaborative Conference

Kutztown University’s Frederick Douglass Institute (FDI) was represented at the PASSHE FDI 2026 Collaborative Conference at West Chester University by faculty and student scholars engaged in collaborative, community-centered research. Dr. Amber Pabon, Secondary Education and FDI Director, presented "Stitching Memory and Meaning: The Douglass Paper Quilt Project" with student scholars Aaliyah Nelson and Jeremiah Purvis. This arts-based, socio-genealogical project explores how creative inquiry can support reflection, connection and meaning-making for Black undergraduate students. Additional presentations included Dr. Donato Fhunsu, LAS, with student scholars Jayla Walker, Mallory Shrubsall, and Jone’t Fofana, whose session examined the intersections of literacy, religion and liberation in the work of Frederick Douglass. Professor Ali Akarcesme, VPA, and student Damere Jackson presented on the work of Preacher Moss, exploring how humor can surface deeper conversations about race, class and identity. FDI faculty and student scholars served as co-creators, presenters and leaders, reflecting the FDI’s commitment to student enrichment and faculty mentorship. A local tv news story featuring KU faculty and student scholars is available on YouTube.

Frederick Douglass Institute

Amber Pabon, FDI

NASA Scientist Dr. Caitlin Ahrens - Solar System Cryogeology

Lavas on Earth are generally hot; Hawaiian lavas are typically 2,000-2,300ºF. However, lavas elsewhere in our solar system can be extremely cold. For example, cryovolcanoes on Pluto erupt ice lavas at temperatures below -100°F. Dr. Caitlin Ahrens is a planetary scientist in the University of Maryland Astronomy Department and a research scientist at NASA. She will give a talk titled "Mysterious, Marvelous Cryogeology," noon to 1 p.m. Monday, April 20, 260 Boehm. Ahrens has done a lot of work on H₂O, CO, and CO₂ on outer solar system bodies, mud volcanism on Pluto and currently focuses on Earth's moon as part of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Diviner science team. The talk is open to anyone interested in our amazing universe and who is free for that hour (Image from Ahren's paper titled "Modeling cryogenic mud volcanism on Pluto" of Wright Mons ice volcano on Pluto. Yellow circle = volcanic crater from which cryolava erupts; textured ground beneath blue bar = cryolava fields; green bar = 100 km = 60-mile scale bar).

Kurt Friehauf, Geology Club

AFSCME Membership Meeting

Please join us for our monthly membership meeting 5 p.m. Monday, April 20, 203 Academic Forum. If you have questions or concerns, please bring them to our meeting. Dinner will be provided.

Christina Ferris, Biology, AFSCME VP 2234

Spring Breezes: A Concert of the Flute and Clarinet Choirs

Join us for an evening of lush, flowing sounds as the Flute Choir and Clarinet Choir take the stage for their “Spring Breezes” concert 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 20, Georgian Room, Old Main. Directed by Dr. Carol Shansky and Dr. Deborah Andrus, this concert is free and open to everyone.

Music Instagram

Maya Strava Kokkinou, Music

Entrepreneurship Week April 20-24

The entrepreneurial spirit thrives at Kutztown University as the College of Business and the KU Small Business Development Center (SBDC) proudly present Entrepreneurship Week April 20-24. This collaborative event offers a dynamic lineup of panels, workshops and presentations designed to equip both students and the local community with invaluable insights, strategies and tools to launch and enhance their businesses. The week-long program will feature a series of engaging events, all free and open to the public. Advance registration is required for each session. For full event details and registration links, visit the Entrepreneurship Week webpage.

College of Business

Dean Carroll Retirement Celebration

Please join us in celebrating the remarkable career of Dr. Anne Carroll, who will be retiring from her role as dean of the College of Business at the conclusion of the Spring 2026 semester, 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, Old Main Concourse. Light refreshments will be served. We invite you to stop by and share your appreciation and well wishes at a retirement celebration in her honor. After being named dean in July 2017, Carroll has provided outstanding leadership, vision and dedication to the College of Business. Her contributions have left a lasting impact on our students, faculty, staff and the broader university community. Please join us as we thank Dean Carroll for her years of service and celebrate her many accomplishments.

College of Business

Tree Walk with Professor Emeritus Chris Sacchi

Celebrate Arbor Day while learning about campus trees by joining Professor Emeritus Chris Sacchi on a campus Tree Walk 11 a.m. Thursday, April 23, meeting at the bear statue outside of Boehm. After the tour, we'll go to the MSU Gallery to view the juried student exhibition, "how to know a tree," which will show a range of two- and three-dimensional artworks celebrating our relationships to trees.

gwendolyn yoppolo, Campus Beautification and Preservation Committee

University Curriculum Committee

The University Curriculum Committee will meet at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 23 via Zoom. The UCC Document Submissions SharePoint page and meeting agenda.

Brian Meares, University Curriculum Committee

Survey: President's Newsletter

The Office of University Relations asks our campus community for input regarding Dr. Cavalier's President's Newsletter. We appreciate your input on this brief, anonymous survey.

University Relations

Kids Summer Art Camps

Registration is open for our popular kids' summer art camps. Join the College of Visual and Performing Arts June 22 through July 10 for a summer filled with creative exploration, art making and adventure. Each week-long program is open to campers entering grades 1-12 and runs a full day, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year, 15 classes are being offered and all are taught by certified art teacher alumni and assisted by KU art students. For dates, cost and registration deadlines, please visit our website.

Karen Stanford, College of Visual and Performing Arts

KU Reaches Milestone: 100 Doctoral Dissertations Awarded

Kutztown University recently marked a significant academic milestone with the publication of its 100th doctoral dissertation in the KU Research Commons. Because submission to the Research Commons is required for doctoral programs, this milestone represents the collective scholarly accomplishments of 53 Ed.D. graduates and 47 DSW graduates, a moment worth celebrating across colleges, programs and disciplines. The global reach of this work is remarkable. To date, Ed.D. dissertations alone have been downloaded 37,641 times by researchers in 184 countries, demonstrating the visibility, relevance and impact of KU’s doctoral scholarship worldwide. This milestone reflects the dedication of our doctoral students, the mentorship of faculty and the strength of KU’s commitment to meaningful, high-impact research. Congratulations to all who have contributed to this achievement, and a big thank you to Sue Cerny for compiling and sharing this impressive statistic.

Education Doctorate Information

College of Education

Celebrating Student Success at the Tri-State Sport Management Summit

Congratulations to Andrew Batista, a senior Sport Management major, on earning third place at the Tri-State Sport Management Summit Friday, April 10. He presented his Honors Capstone Project, "Hedging our Bets: An Anti-Gambling Campaign for College Campuses," under the guidance of Dr. Soojin Kim. Representing Kutztown University, Batista demonstrated outstanding knowledge and professionalism.

Soojin Kim, Sport Management

March Madness Golden Bracket Challenge Winners

Congratulations to Patrick Moyer (Men's) and Elisabeth Manwiller (Women's) for winning the March Madness Golden Bracket Challenge. Winners will be contacted by Human Resources to collect their prizes. 

Bradley Davis, Human Resources

APSCUF Student Scholarship

The Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF) at Kutztown University will grant two $500 scholarships to undergraduate students returning for Fall 2026. Recipients of the scholarships will be determined on the basis of their participation in campus service and solidarity activities as well as academic record. Please encourage your students to apply. For more information and instructions on how to apply, view the flyer. Deadline to apply is Friday, April 24.

APSCUF Scholarship Flyer

Andrew Mashintonio, APSCUF Student Liaison Committee

Call for Winter 2027 KU-Led Abroad Proposals

Interested in leading a study abroad program in Winter 2027? Program proposals are due Friday, May 1. This is a great opportunity to design a meaningful global experience for students while sharing your expertise beyond the classroom. Faculty-led programs play a vital role in expanding access to international education and enriching the KU community. If you have an idea or are ready to get started, we encourage you to submit a proposal and connect with the International Office for support throughout the process.

Resources for International Initiatives

Christina Kinney, Office of International Education and Global Engagement