Daily Brief

Animated Art Students Attend Screening of the Animated Film, "Flow"

Students and faculty from KU's Animated Arts program attended a screening of the Oscar nominated film, "Flow," at the Kutztown Strand Theatre this past Sunday, Feb. 23.

Liz Van Verth, Art and Design

President's Open Hour

Faculty, staff and students are invited to stop by with President Hawkinson during his open hour at 2 p.m. Monday, March 3, 301 Stratton Administration Center. President Hawkinson welcomes your thoughts, concerns and suggestions regarding KU. If you are planning to stop by, please call the Office of the President at 610-683-4101 to RSVP.

Office of the President

Road Closure Between Heat Plant and South Dining Hall Parking Lot

The roadway between the Heat Plant and the South Dining Hall parking lot is closed until Friday, Feb. 28, to perform manhole maintenance. Please avoid this area. Thank you for your assistance.

Kyle Mills, Facilities

Ignite Kutztown

Join us for a fun evening of engaging presentations at Ignite Kutztown at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, 135 Rickenbach. This semester, students in COMM 214 (Advanced Public Speaking) will lead the event. Come see students ranging from second semester freshmen to graduating seniors present on a variety of topics including the value of public libraries, the power of sports, Snoopy's family tree and so many more. Send your students and bring your friends; it will be an exciting night of fast-paced storytelling.

Sky Franciscus, Communication Studies

Don't Miss FDI's Powerful Black History Month Event

Join us as Kutztown University's Frederick Douglass Institute proudly presents the newest installment of the FDI Speaker Series featuring Dr. Donato Fhunsu from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, 250 MSU. Now more than ever, it's essential to engage in conversations that deepen our understanding of the global impact of Black history, culture and identity. Fhunsu's thought-provoking lecture, “Celebrating Black History: A Salon Talk on Sally Hemings, Slavery and Global Africana Citizenship,” will explore these themes and explore connections between historical events and contemporary issues. Drawing from his vast expertise in English and African American Literature, Fhunsu will provide invaluable insights that you won’t want to miss. Secure your spot by registering online to attend and receive an exclusive invitation to our reception and Q&A session. Students are welcome to complete participation hours. Space is limited. Be a part of the conversation. Be a part of history. Be the future.

Frederick Douglass Institute

Amber Pabon, Frederick Douglass Institute

University Curriculum Committee

The University Curriculum Committee will meet at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, via Zoom. The meeting agenda can be found on the UCC Document Submissions SharePoint page.

Brian Meares, University Curriculum Committee

Open Hour with Provost

Faculty, staff and students are invited to drop by and chat with Dr. Lorin Basden Arnold, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, during her open office hour at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, Old Main concourse. Faculty and staff who would like to have a conversation, but for whom this time does not work, are welcome to contact the Office of the Provost at 610-683-4155 to schedule a time to meet.

Office of the Provost

Anne Imschweiler, Provost Office

Student Organization Advisor Needed for Guitar Club

The Guitar Club needs a student organization advisor. Highlights of the role and responsibilities of an advisor may be found online. Please contact Joanne Cohen at cohen@kutztown.edu if interested. Thank you for your consideration.

Leah Cassellia, Office of Student Involvement

Faculty Director Sought for Frederick Douglass Institute

The Provost invites faculty to apply for the position of Faculty Director, Frederick Douglass Institute (FDI). The Faculty Director guides and directs the activities of the FDI. The position is for two years, which may be renewed for a third year, upon the mutual agreement of the director and the Provost. The position will begin in August 2025. The director reports to the associate provost for Student Success and Academic Excellence and, in collaboration with other offices and all university divisions, encourages equity, diversity and inclusion among faculty, staff and students through activities including facilitation of scholarship opportunities, research activities, topical forums and exhibits, conferences and visiting scholars. The Faculty Director will receive a two-course release each semester; this assignment should not result in the individual being in overload status. The successful candidate will not hold any other campus position that includes reassigned time. The successful candidate will have the following credentials:
- Tenured or tenure-track faculty member who holds a terminal degree and has a minimum of five years of experience teaching in higher education;
- A record of innovation in teaching about equality and diversity and effectiveness of instruction;
- A record of scholarship, including professional presentations and/or publications, related to social equality, cultural diversity and inclusion;
- Demonstrated ability to facilitate discussions about issues of equality, diversity and inclusion;
- Demonstrated commitment to and experience with quantitative and qualitative program assessment;
-Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills; and
-Ability to work effectively with university administration, faculty and system-level groups.

Interested Kutztown University faculty should send a letter of application that speaks to the position’s qualifications and a C.V. to Andrea Kirshman, associate provost for Student Success and Academic Excellence (kirshman@kutztown.edu) by noon Friday, March 28.

Andrea Kirshman, Student Success and Academic Excellence

Summer Orientation Faculty Application

New Student Orientation is currently taking applications from faculty members who are interested in working summer orientation dates. Summer Faculty for New Student Orientation play a pivotal role in helping new students transition to Kutztown University by providing both a warm welcome and a knowledgeable resource to incoming students. Faculty will represent their specific college to provide student academic support and assist in navigating toward a successful first semester and beyond. This position requires a strong passion for helping students and a commitment to student success to offer students quality guidance on academic scheduling, advising and the transition to college life. A list of job duties and the link to apply can be found here. If interested, please submit the form by Friday, March 7, so we can review applications and finalize the selection process. Any questions can be directed to Brett Santos at bsantos@kutztown.edu.

New Student Orientation

Brett Santos, New Student Orientation

UGRC Conference Deadlines

Please remind your student researchers to submit proposals for our upcoming local conferences.
- KU Composition Conference: “Writing Your Way Home.” The proposal deadline is Friday, March 14, and the conference will be held Monday, April 14. You can access the proposal form here.
- KU Inspires: “A Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creativity.” The proposal deadline is Saturday, March 15, and the conference will held Thursday, April 17. You can access proposal form here.
- HECBC (Berks County Regional): The annual Berks County Undergraduate Research and Creativity Conference allows students to share their research and creativity with each other and the community. The conference is open to any undergraduate student seeking an opportunity to share their expertise with other scholars. The proposal deadline is 4 p.m. Friday, April 4, and the conference date is Saturday, April 26. You can access proposal form here.

Undergraduate Research and Creativity

Lynn M. Kutch, Undergraduate Research and Creativity

Call for Nominations: 2025 John P. Schellenberg Award

The purpose of this award was established by John P. Schellenberg, professor emeritus of physical sciences, faculty, alumni and friends to recognize an early career faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding work within the mission of the Center for Engaged Learning. To be eligible for the award, an individual must have been on the faculty full-time at least three but not more than seven years. The recipient will be chosen based on the following three areas:
1. Pedagogy and Curriculum Innovation
2. Learning Technology Innovation
3. Assessment and/or Research on Learning
The recipient will be awarded $1,250 check and an engraved plaque. Please submit a nomination letter and curriculum vitae to Douglas Scott at dscott@kutztown.edu by 4:30 p.m. Friday, April 4. Nominated candidates are also required to submit their own letter (maximum of two pages) that clearly outlines their qualifications in all three categories mentioned above. This letter should be sent to dscott@kutztown.edu. Please visit the Schellenberg Award page for more information.

Center for Engaged Learning