Daily Brief

KU Student Named to PASSHE Board of Governors

Two students from Kutztown University and PennWest University have been appointed to the Board of Governors of Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), where they will serve as full voting members. KU's student member is Brenna McGowan, a sophomore from Schuylkill County majoring in marketing and a member of student government.

McGowan on PASSHE Board of Governors

University Relations

Dissertation Defense for Lou Blair

Please join the College of Education 1 p.m. Monday, May 11, 245 Beekey, for a public dissertation defense by Lou Blair, "They Don’t Care About Us Here! The Intersectionality of Implicit Bias, Stereotype Threat, and the Need for Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy." The dissertation chair is Dr. Christopher Weiler and the committee members are Dr. Catherine McGeehan and Dr. Helen Hamlet.

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

Sarah Schafer Advances Branding for Kutztown SBDC Clients

Senior Communication Design student, Sarah Schafer, is making a measurable impact on small businesses through her work with Kutztown University's Small Business Development Center (KUSBDC). As a branding specialist, Schafer has supported entrepreneurs in transforming early-stage ideas into cohesive, strategic brands. By guiding clients through the development of visual identities, she has helped business owners clarify their messaging, strengthen their market presence and better align their branding with their business goals. Her work emphasizes the practical value of design as a tool for communication, positioning and long-term sustainability. Schafer’s contributions have supported a range of client projects, where her ability to translate business concepts into clear, professional branding has enhanced how businesses connect with their target audiences. This applied experience reflects the role of the KUSBDC in integrating student talent with real-world business development needs. Most recently, Schafer contributed to the Kutztown community map project, now displayed outside 27 Old Main. The map highlights local businesses and encourages visitors to engage with the Kutztown community, reinforcing connections between the university and the local economy. Through her work, Schafer demonstrates how design can directly influence business growth and visibility. Her contributions also highlight the value of experiential learning opportunities available through the KUSBDC. The KUSBDC is part of the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers network, which provides no-cost, confidential consulting services to entrepreneurs.

Kutztown University Small Business Development Center

Rachael Wolfe, Kutztown Small Business Development Center

Nate Chinen from WRTI Visits Wells-Rapp Center

Recently, the Wells-Rapp Center for Mallet Percussion Research was recognized on a regional and national stage through a feature article by WRTI, highlighting the Center’s growing impact on the global percussion community. In the April 23 spotlight article, WRTI explores the legacy of Clair Omar Musser, widely regarded as a central figure in the development and popularization of mallet percussion. The story positions the Wells-Rapp Center as a vital steward of this history, housing rare instruments, archival materials and immersive exhibits that preserve and celebrate Musser’s innovations. The feature also underscores the Center’s role as a destination for artists, scholars and enthusiasts. Since opening in 2023, the facility has become a national hub for the study and performance of mallet percussion, drawing visitors from across the country and beyond. Its unique collections, spanning more than a century of musical development, provide an unparalleled resource for students and researchers alike. Equally important, the article highlights the Center’s commitment to living artistry through public programming, including recent residencies and appearances by internationally renowned performers such as Gary Burton. These events bridge historical scholarship with contemporary performance, reinforcing Kutztown University’s leadership in the arts. Being featured by WRTI affirms the Wells-Rapp Center’s significance not only within Pennsylvania but across the broader musical landscape. It reflects the dedication of faculty, staff and supporters who continue to elevate Kutztown University as a center for innovation, preservation and community engagement in the performing arts.

Andrew Veit, Music

This Week: Bearfest 47's Starry Ride

This week marks the 47th year of Bearfest, one of the longest running student-planned events on campus from Wednesday, April 29 to Saturday, May 2. The committee this year has been hard at work planning a fun range of events for this year's program, and we're excited to have the campus community join us. Wednesday's events will start at 3 p.m. on the DMZ, with a dunk tank, DIY activities, a foam slide and our annual kickoff picnic sponsored by Aramark at 4:30 p.m. Our Sensory Glow Party will begin at 7:30 p.m. with a silent disco and more activities. Thursday's events will begin at 3:30 p.m. on the DMZ, with an inflatable rock wall, DIY activities, yard games and Drag Bingo hosted by Elektra Fearce St. James at 7 p.m. Our annual Casino Night is slated for Friday, May 1, South Dining Hall Room 1, so come join us for classic casino games and prizes. The week will end with Community Day, 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 2, DMZ, where student organizations will host activities alongside inflatables, a bouncy house, ice cream and family fun for the local community. We hope to see everyone there and cannot wait for the campus community to ring in the end of the year with this celebratory event.

Marissa Merritt, Office of Residence Life, Housing, and Dining Services; Bearfest 47 Planning Committee

Second Annual Kutztown Film Festival

Join us in celebrating the stories of the most exceptional student filmmakers in Pennsylvania at the second annual Kutztown Film Festival 2 p.m. Saturday, May 2, Strand Theater, 32 N. Whiteoak Street, Kutztown, PA. General Admission is $5 at the door. All proceeds benefit the Strand Renovation Project. Thank you for supporting our theater, young talent and being a part of this great communal experience.

Andrew Darlak, KU Student, Festival Founder, Cinema, TV, Media Production

Healthy U Healthcare Premium Reduction Program Open Enrollment

"Healthy U" is for all staff in the following groups: APSCUF Faculty and Coaches, Managers, OPEIU, POA and SPFPA. AFSMCE and SCUPA healthcare plans have the "Get Healthy" program, so “Healthy U” does not apply to you. To qualify for the lowest health care premium beginning July 2026, enrolled employees and spouses on your plan are required to complete “Healthy U” by Sunday, May 31, to keep the lower premium payment. If you have a spouse on your plan and they do not complete the survey through their personal Highmark login, you will pay the higher premium. This is an annual survey that must be completed each year for continued enrollment in the lower premium. Please check your email for a notice from PASSHE Employee Benefits. If you do not compete the “Healthy U” survey before May 31, you will automatically be switched to the higher premium payment from July 2026 through June 2027 and will have to wait until the enrollment period in 2027 to complete the survey for the lower premium payment starting July 2027. For more information, please visit the PASSHE Healthy U webpage.
Quick Tips:
- If you don’t have a MyHighmark account, register first.
- Follow the Healthy U Step By Step Instructions – You must agree to all of the authorizations to qualify for the discounted premium rate.
- Save a screenshot when complete.
- For technical assistance with your MyHighmark account, call 1-866-306-1059, option 1. For general “Healthy U” questions, feel free to contact Highmark at 1-888-745-3212 or your university HR department. This is a quick and easy survey that takes about 15-20 minutes to complete. Be proactive and make sure you take 20 minutes to save hundreds of dollars a year.

Elisabeth Manwiller, Human Resources

Summer Micro-Internships Here on Campus

This summer, let's keep micro-internships on campus. If you have a short-term project that could use student assistance, please consider hosting a micro-intern. A micro-intern is a short-term, project-based, paid experience where the student gains skills, something for their resume and you get extra help for a project that might not get completed otherwise. Reach out to the Career Center to learn more.

Career Development Center

Last Day for Tutoring

Wednesday, May 6, is the last day for Spring 2026 tutoring at 26 Rohrbach Library. Students can sign up for tutoring in Starfish using the tutor link next to their course, or by using the "I Need Help" button if tutoring is not listed for the class. APM appointments can be scheduled in Starfish under the APM box in "My Services." Tutor.com will be available during finals week for those students who still need assistance past May 6. Contact Tutoring Services at 610-683-4207 or tutor@kutztown.edu with questions or visit the website for additional information.

Adam Troxel, Tutoring Services