Daily Brief

Kutztown SBDC to host Small Business Lending Program in Harrisburg to Support Entrepreneurs in Dauphin County

The Kutztown University Small Business Development Center will co-host "Small Business Lending Solutions for Sustainable Growth," 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC, 3211 North Front Street, Harrisburg. The event is designed for entrepreneurs, startups and existing small businesses in Dauphin County and Central Pennsylvania who are searching for guidance on how to secure a small-business loan, how to finance a business in Pennsylvania or how to start a business in the Harrisburg region. This program provides step-by-step support for individuals navigating small-business financing in Pennsylvania. Participants will learn how lenders review applications and what is required to prepare a strong loan package. Topics include understanding the funding spectrum, identifying the role of Community Development Financial Institutions, evaluating the 5 C’s of Credit, preparing required loan documents and creating business plans and financial projections that meet lender standards. The session is structured to help business owners improve readiness for bank loans, CDFI loans and other financing options available in Central Pennsylvania. This collaborative program is offered by the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC, ASSETS, Impact Harrisburg and the Kutztown University Small Business Development Center. The partnership supports economic growth in Dauphin County by expanding equitable access to capital and strengthening the small-business ecosystem that serves Harrisburg and surrounding communities. Individuals seeking information on how to start a business in Pennsylvania or needing support with business planning, financial projections or loan preparation can contact the Kutztown SBDC for no-cost consulting. The Kutztown SBDC serves entrepreneurs across Dauphin County and Central Pennsylvania with confidential, personalized support. Rachael Wolfe and Mark Rentschler from the Kutztown Small Business Development Center will facilitate the event on behalf of the KUSBDC. All Pennsylvania entrepreneurs and small-business owners welcome.

KU SBDC

Rachael Wolfe, Kutztown Small Business Development Center

Planetarium Show Tonight: Planet Nine

Journey to the icy outskirts of our solar system in "Planet Nine," a planetarium show that follows the search for a hidden giant beyond Neptune. From the discoveries of Pluto, Eris and other distant worlds to the tantalizing orbital clues that suggest an unseen planet, Caltech astronomer Mike Brown and his team take us to mountaintop observatories in their quest to find the elusive “Planet Nine.” The program at KU's planetarium includes a short introduction to the upcoming Vera C. Rubin Observatory, whose sweeping sky survey may soon reveal this mysterious world. Join us for "Planet Nine," 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, Planetarium. This show is free and open to the public. Seating is first-come, first-served and the doors will open at 6 p.m. This event includes an optional tour of the astronomical research observatory and, if the weather is good, telescope views of Saturn.

Planetarium

Phill Reed, Physical Sciences/Planetarium and Observatory

Lúnasa to Thrill Fans of Celtic Music Dec. 5

Dubbed "the hottest Irish acoustic band on the planet," Lúnasa will make a stop at Schaeffer Auditorium 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, as part of the KU Presents! Performing Artists series. Founded in 1997, the six-member band has toured throughout the world; their latest album is “Live in Kyoto” (2024). The players are known for their complex arrangements of traditional and original music, their impeccable musical chops and their collaborations with artists from outside the genre, such as Mary Chapin Carpenter and Bruce Springsteen. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 610-683-4092. KU students can access $15 tickets by logging for tickets with their MyKU login, or get all performances for just $25 with our new student membership.

Tickets

KU Presents!

German Cinema Original Creative Projects

Please support German Cinema in English, ENGL GERM 260, students as they display their final projects 8:15 a.m. Monday, Dec. 8, 250 MSU. Original creations range from artwork to original films, to alternative scenes and abbreviated screenplays. All the projects relate to the gems of classic and foundational German cinema studied in class, starting with the original "Nosferatu," continuing into New German Cinema and concluding with films of divided Germany and beyond.

Lynn M Kutch, English

2026-2027 Early Event Registration

The Events Advisory Council has established the deadline for early consideration for room reservations and activities scheduled for the 2026-2027 academic year as noon Friday, March 13, 2026. For more detailed information and guidelines on the process, please visit our webpage. Please consider the following when planning your events for the 2026-2027 academic year:
- All requests must be entered by a faculty or staff member in the EMS Room Reservation System.
- Any early reservation requests for a student organization must be submitted by that organization’s advisor.
- Any events received after noon Friday, March 13, will be handled on a first-come basis after all events submitted within deadline are scheduled.
- All events submitted outside of the 2026-2027 academic year will be handled at the appropriate time according to scheduling policies.
If you have any questions regarding the process, feel free to call ext. 3-4834 or email svoboda@kutztown.edu.

Honey Svoboda, Conference and Event Services

AFSCME December Membership and Christmas Toy Drive

AFSCME 2234 members: please be advised that there will not be a December monthly meeting. The next membership meeting is Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, a week later due to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and the university being closed. Also, if you would like to contribute to the Children Toy Drive, please let an executive board member know if you have a gift to contribute; we will be happy to pick it up. The last day for the Toy Drive is Friday, Dec. 5.

Christina Ferris, Biology/AFSCME 2234

Addressing Mail and Packages Correctly

Please do not put "Kutztown University" or a P.O. Box number in the mailing address. If you address mail or packages incorrectly, they could be returned to the sender. You will receive everything faster if you include your Full Name, Department Name and Room Number. If you oversee ordering for a person in a different department, please make sure to put the person's Full Name, Department Name and Room Number who is receiving the package. If you are looking for a package, please send the tracking number to mailservices@kutztown.edu.
(EXAMPLE)
Full Name – Room Number
Department Name
425 Baldy Road
Kutztown, PA 19530

Louis Richuitti, Mail Services

Revision of General Education Program SLO 3 Rubric

The General Education Program and Assessment Committee (GEPAC) would like to share the revision of the General Education Program SLO-3 rubric from a holistic format to an analytic one. GEPAC will be assessing SLO-3, which involves courses in categories B and C of the General Education Program, in the Spring 2026 semester. A copy of the new rubric can be found on the General Education Assessment Rubrics website. Thank you.

General Education Program and Assessment Committee

Dr. Cathy McGeehan Featured in National Interview about EdD Program

Dr. Catherine McGeehan, professor and director of the Doctorate of Education in Transformational Teaching and Learning, was recently interviewed by OnlineEdDPrograms.com about Kutztown University's innovative approach to doctoral education. She was selected for this feature by Aaron Tooley after he attended and was impressed with her presentation at the November Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) Convening, where she shared insights on how our program operationalizes CPED principles to prepare scholarly practitioners for real-world impact. In the interview, McGeehan highlights how the KU College of Education's Ed.D. program is grounded in the CPED principles, ensuring a rigorous, practice-focused curriculum that equips graduates to address complex problems of practice. Key program strengths featured in the article:
- Leader-Scholar Community (LSC) Model: A collaborative structure that supports candidates through dissertation work while fostering professional learning communities.
- Flexible, Low-Residency Format: Designed for working professionals, combining online coursework with short, intensive residencies.
- Commitment to Transformation and Systemic Change: Courses and projects emphasize creating educational opportunities and leading systemic change.
Enrollment in the Ed.D. program continues to grow, with recent cohorts exceeding initial targets and strong interest from regional districts for specialized cohorts addressing local challenges. This momentum reflects the program’s reputation for impactful, research-driven preparation of educational leaders who make meaningful contributions in schools and communities. Read the full interview online.

EdD Interview

College of Education

Novak Selected as National Finalist for Harlon Hill Trophy

Kutztown University quarterback, Judd Novak, has been named a national finalist for the 2025 Harlon Hill Trophy, presented to the NCAA Division II Football Player of the Year. Novak has put forth another tremendous season, leading the Golden Bears to their second straight unbeaten regular season, third consecutive PSAC championship, a 13-0 overall record and the NCAA DII quarterfinals for the second time in the last three years.

Novak Selected as National Finalist for Harlon Hill Trophy

Sports Information