Daily Brief

Chambliss Student Academic Achievement Awards

Kutztown University presented the 2026 Chambliss Student Academic Achievement Awards to eight accomplished students Friday, April 24. Students who received awards were nominated by staff and faculty members for meeting one or more of the seven areas of achievement: successfully completed research projects, outstanding academic achievement, high-quality original artwork, high-quality artistic performances (music, chorus, drama, etc.), original writing in literature or meritorious writing in other fields, noteworthy achievements in athletics, and outstanding service to the KU community. The Academic Achievement Awards were established in 2004 through a donation provided by Dr. Carlson Chambliss, KU professor of astronomy from 1970-2003. The purpose of the awards is to recognize the exceptional individual achievements of a select group of KU graduating seniors. Specially designed coin medallions of gold, silver and copper were presented to the students.

Chambliss Student Academic Achievement Awards

University Relations

Fitness Clinic at Keith Haring Fitness Court April 30

Kutztown University sport management students and faculty, in collaboration with the Student Recreation Center, are leading the charge to provide the campus and local communities exercise clinics and competitions 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, April 30, Keith Haring Fitness Court (rain location: Student Recreation Center). Community members are welcome to attend the open fitness clinic noon to 1 p.m., for a competition between KU and Kutztown Area High School (KAHS) students. Keith Haring Day marks a celebration surrounding Haring’s birthday, May 4. The goal is to bring awareness to Haring, the Fitness Court and provide the community with exercise leadership.

KU Hosts Annual Fitness Clinic and Competition at Keith Haring Fitness Court April 30

University Relations

Dissertation Defense for June Roger

Please join the College of Education 10 a.m. Thursday, May 7, 245 Beekey, for a public dissertation defense by June Rogers, "Cultivating Digital Belonging: A phenomenological study of Black male students' experience in a Title Three online student support hub." The dissertation chair is Dr. Amber Pabon and the committee members are Dr. Christopher Weiler and Dr. Tabetha Bernstein Danis.

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

Psychology Student Presents at NCUR

Tamara Holmes, a psychology student, recently presented "The Cognitive Consequences of Fatherlessness" at the National Council on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) Convention in Richmond, Va. Dr. Ruth McLeod, psychology, accompanied Holmes. More than 5,000 student researchers were expected to attend the national gathering. The 2027 conference is scheduled for Grand Rapids, Mich.

Lynn M. Kutch, Undergraduate Research and Creativity

Arbor Day Tree Planting

Thank you to members of the KU Plant Club who planted two red oak trees on campus in honor of Arbor Day Friday, April 24. One is a container grown tree and the other was planted as an acorn this spring. Trees are in the lawn area between Academic Forum and Grim Science Building. Watch them grow and see which one grows faster.

Todd Underwood, Campus Tree Committee and Biology Department

Thesis Presentation of Craig Harrell

Please join the Department of Computer Science and Information Technology 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 28, 158 Old Main, for a public thesis presentation by Craig Harrell, "Indoor Localization for the Visually Impaired Using ADA-Compliant Signage and Deep Learning." For more information, please contact Dylan Schwesinger.

Dylan Schwesinger, Computer Science and Information Technology

Dissertation Defense for Jessica Baker 

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Department of Social Work are pleased to announce Jessica Baker will defend her Doctor of Social Work dissertation, “Factors Affecting the Use of Skills of School Social Workers in Pennsylvania,” 3-5 p.m. Thursday, May 7, via Zoom. The dissertation chair is Dr. FangHsun Wei.

Juliana Svistova, DSW Program Director, Social Work

First Destination Career Outcomes Survey Reminder

Please remind graduating students to complete the First Destination Career Outcomes Survey in Handshake before graduation, and at three and six months post-graduation. Employer and graduate school information is shared with academic departments for your use and benefit.

Jeann Cengeri, Career Development Center

Thank You to 2026 KU Inspires Mentors

Sincerest thanks from Undergraduate Research and Creativity to our 36 mentors who supervised more than 60 student researchers for this year's KU Inspires conference. See the full list of mentors online.

Lynn M. Kutch, Undergraduate Research and Creativity

FDI Stipend-Sponsored Opportunity: AI in Education Virtual Conference

The Frederick Douglass Institute (FDI) is sponsoring participation in Vanderbilt University's JumpStart Virtual Annual Conference, hosted by the READY Laboratory, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT, Tuesday, July 28. This year's theme, "Artificial Intelligence (AI) Literacies and Practices in Schools, Universities, and Communities," brings together K-12 educators, students, faculty, staff and community members to deepen knowledge, understanding and practice related to AI across educational contexts. Each year, 300-400 people register for the READY Laboratory conferences and have an opportunity to hear from leading researchers and practitioners through keynote and innovative breakout sessions. Keynote speakers include Golnar Arastoopour Irgens, Vanderbilt University; Sepehr Vakil, Northwestern University; Brendesha Tynes, University of Southern California. FDI will support up to ten participants, selected on a rolling basis from those who complete the interest form and confirm full participation, with broad representation from across the campus community. If you'd like to nominate a student to participate, please contact pabon@kutztown.edu. Selected participants will receive a $350 stipend upon full participation and completion of a follow-up activity connected to their learning. Complete the JumpStart Conference Interest Form by Friday, May 8. Participants will be notified to register by Friday, May 15.

Frederick Douglass Institute

Amber Pabon, Frederick Douglass Institute

CEL Reflective Writing Retreat for Faculty

Join us for a day-long reflective writing retreat for faculty, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, Rohrbach Library. The end of May offers an ideal moment to pause and focus on scholarship or teaching. Whether you are wrapping up the academic year, launching a summer project or continuing ongoing work, this retreat creates space to reflect, plan and make meaningful progress. This Center for Engaged Learning (CEL) retreat is designed for faculty seeking dedicated time to write, reflect and reconnect with their work and with colleagues. All are welcome: teaching, non-instructional, tenure-track, tenured, temporary, full-time and part-time faculty. Faculty may work on a range of research-related writing including articles, book chapters, grant narratives, conference papers, exploratory drafts and teaching-related projects such as course materials, curricular proposals or pedagogical initiatives. No preparation is required. Participants are encouraged to bring a current project, a stalled plan, emerging idea or simply a willingness to write and reflect. By stepping away from daily demands, faculty can strengthen sustainable writing practices, gain clarity about their work and build community across disciplines. Lunch and light refreshments will be provided. Participants are asked to commit to the full day to support an immersive experience. Sign up online to reserve your spot.

Center for Engaged Learning