Daily Brief

Jazz Trumpeter Sean Jones to be Joined by KU Jazz April 15

Sean Jones, the renowned jazz trumpeter, educator, composer and bandleader, will conclude this season's KU Presents! Performing Artists Series 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, Schaeffer Auditorium. Jones and the members of his quartet, drummer Koleby Royston, bassist Aidan Taylor and pianist Seth Finch, will play some of their own pieces as well as originals from his upcoming album, “Return: The Prodigal Son.” To celebrate KU’s excellent jazz program, Jones and his ensemble will collaborate with KU’s DownBeat award-winning Jazz Ensemble I for part of the performance.

Tickets

KU Presents!

Annual Out of the Darkness Walk

The Kutztown University Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness is hosting KU's annual walkathon for suicide prevention, "Out of the Darkness," 3 p.m. Sunday, April 19, DMZ. A brief ceremony will be held before the start of the walk. All proceeds from the walk will benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). Registration is required and donations are accepted at our AFSP Kutztown Walk website.

Patricia Ann Brenner, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Kutztown University Chapter

KU Micro Internships Support Small Businesses

The Kutztown University Small Business Development Center (KUSBDC), in collaboration with the KU Career Development Center, continues to create meaningful experiential learning opportunities for students while delivering real impact for small businesses through the Micro Internship Program. Carolee Smith, owner of The Village at Houser’s Crossing and a long-time KUSBDC client, recently participated in the program to focus on enhancing the guest experience at her short-term rental property. The internship resulted in a complete redesign of the business’s Adventure/Eat/Relax guide, a valuable resource that helps guests explore local dining, outdoor recreation, railroad history and attractions throughout the Jim Thorpe region. The updated guide strengthens the business' brand, improves customer experience and supports tourism engagement in the local economy. The student intern, Sarah Gemmel, gained hands-on experience in content development, research and client collaboration. As part of the project, she visited the destination and engaged directly with the business to better understand the customer journey and local offerings. This partnership highlights the value of connecting small businesses with university talent to support digital content development, marketing strategy and customer experience enhancement, while also preparing students with practical, career-ready skills. The Kutztown University SBDC continues to support entrepreneurs across Berks, Lebanon, Chester and Lancaster counties by providing no-cost consulting, training and technical assistance. For more information about the Micro Internship Program, visit KUSBDC.

Rachael Wolfe, Kutztown University Small Business Development Center

Wert Named Director of Academic Retention and Success Initiatives

As part of a previously announced reorganization of the Division of Academic Affairs, Tammy Starner Wert has been named director of Academic Retention and Success Initiatives, overseeing the Office of Student Success and Academic Excellence. Wert has served KU for more than 18 years, most recently as the Assistant to the Provost for General Education. In her new role within University College, Wert will continue to work on behalf of all students to ensure retention, persistence and completion. These efforts include continued leadership of first-year scheduling and support for general education schedule planning, in addition to providing direction for the office in enacting success programs and co-leading the STARS program with Steve Lem, chair, Academic Advising and Student Development. Wert's new office is in 11 Rohrbach Library.

Karen Rauch, Office of the Provost

Daniel Immel presents Faculty Recital "Labyrinth"

Daniel Immel, Music, will present his annual piano recital "Labyrinth," 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 9, Schaeffer Auditorium. The concert will feature music by Poulenc, Schubert, Rachmaninov, Leighton and one special surprise selection for the audience as a finale. The concert is free and open to the public.

Music

Wear KU Spirit Wear to Inauguration Events

The KU Campus Store is offering 30% off apparel and gifts, in store and online, through Friday, April 10 (excludes other sales and discounts).

Kyle Rex, KU Campus Store

Safe Space Training at Boxwood House

The LGBTQ+ Resource Center will have Safe Space training noon to 1 p.m. Monday, April 13, Boxwood House. This training is open to all students, staff and faculty. The mission of the Kutztown University Safe Space Program is to provide education and resources to the KU community members to create a safe and nurturing environment free of discrimination based on sexual orientation, sexual identity or gender identity. Please RSVP on Engage with your name and pronouns.

Diane Biehl, LGBTQ+ Resource Center

Survey from Campus Beautification and Preservation Committee

The Campus Beautification and Preservation Committee seeks to empower our community by connecting us to our past heritage and by honoring our future with a sense of stewardship for the long-term health of our campus ecosystems, built environment and human communities. Please share your thoughts with us by completing this quick survey. You can contact yoppolo@kutztown.edu with questions or other insights.

gwendolyn yoppolo, Campus Beautification and Preservation Committee

Nolde Forest Partnership Brings Inquiry Learning to Life

Students taking the EEPK 305 course had the opportunity to work alongside environmental educators from Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center Friday, April 3, connecting classroom learning, field experiences and community partnerships in meaningful ways. This hands‑on professional development experience allowed future educators to explore how inquiry‑based learning can extend beyond the classroom and into authentic outdoor environments. Throughout the session, students engaged in nature‑based investigations, modeled environmental inquiry strategies and discussed ways to integrate outdoor learning into PreK–4 classrooms. The experience helped bridge the work students have been doing in their field placements with practical approaches to science instruction, student engagement and community collaboration. As part of the experience, students were introduced to "Growing Up WILD: Exploring Nature with Young Children Ages 3–7," developed by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies through Project WILD. This resource provides developmentally appropriate, nature‑based learning activities designed to support curiosity, observation and environmental stewardship in young learners. Experiences like this highlight the power of partnerships between higher education, local schools and community organizations to support inquiry‑driven teaching and learning.

Dr. Katie Monahan, Elementary, Middle Level, Library and Technologies Education

“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. AFSCME 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. 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 thousands of dollars a year.
Please note:
- 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 notices from KU HR & PASSHE Employee Benefits.
- If you do not complete the “Healthy U” survey before Sunday, 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, contact Highmark at 1-888-745-3212 or your university HR Department. 

PASSHE Healthy U Program

Elisabeth Manwiller, Human Resources

Choir Excuse Letter for President Cavalier’s Inauguration

I am writing to kindly request that you excuse the students listed below from class 11 a.m. to noon, Thursday, April 9, and 11 a.m. to end of the day, Friday, April 10. These students will be participating in the inauguration of President Philip Cavalier.
- Emma Baldridge, Dustin Baumert, Billy Beck, Rowan Bermudez, Grace Bielski, Lucille Bishop, Amber Britcher, Emily Brown, Jay Brown, Julian Davidson, Clara Dean, Marisa Delano, Olivia Dudley, Mars Farabaugh, Sara Fernandez Videla, Joseph Fischl, Alyssa Fountaine, Ava Froese, Alandra Garvin, Kyle Hansel, Kiera Hansel, Aiden Hargraves, Marlie Heym, Kayla Horger, Markus Hudock, Molly Keiser, Natalie Klobusicky, Calista LaPorte, Isabella Lara, Elena Lemos, Michael Lewis, Kait Majury, Joseph Martin, Shannon McDonnell, Reece Means, Wyatt Meyer, Marcus Milkowich, Jhohana Morales, Gabriel Naranjo, Ellie Neeld, Peyton Nolan, Connor O'Brien, Lee O'Donnell, Gabriella Parker, Noah Paules, Tyson Pherreigo, Ashlyn Phy, Pedro Pinto, Miki Postupak, Gavin Preston, Jill Reilley, Noah Ressler, Shye Roberts, Jared Rollman, Alaina Ruggeri, Amanda Schiariti, Jack Sheridan, Faith Spellacy, Grace Spellacy, Kodi Stewart, Madelyn Suppa, Raven Tallmadge, Corbin Teeters, Erika Traupman, London Trout, Jeremy Valverde-Retana, Brooke Viceconte, Mason Voght, Nele Weeber, Symphony Williams, Parker Winters, Oksana Wojcik, Cai Yankel, Sydney Zepp, Tessa Zimmerman, Andrés Zuluaga.

Derrick Thompson, Music

2026 UGRC Faculty Mentorship Award Recipients

Join the Undergraduate Research and Creativity (UGRC) Faculty Mentorship Award Committee in congratulating the 2026 recipients: Dr. Brandon O'Brien (Emerging Mentor) and Dr. Laura Sherrod. They will be honored as part of the Chambliss Awards Event noon Friday, April 24, Georgian Room. The 2027 nomination form is open. You may self-nominate or nominate a colleague. If you submit an early application, the committee will contact you in Spring 2027 for updates.

Undergraduate Research Creativity Faculty Mentorship Awards

Lynn M Kutch, Undergraduate Research and Creativity