Daily Brief

KU at the Winter Olympics

Kutztown University has alumni working with the 2026 Winter Olympics. Evan Santos ’23 (right) turned an internship opportunity into a full-time role as the coordinator of production operations for NBC Sports since 2023. He supports Olympics planning year-round at NBC's at-home production studios in Stamford, Conn., while also working directly on daily programming during the Olympics. J.R. Aquila ’82 (left) has decades of experience in sports broadcasting. He currently serves as the senior event producer/director for NBC Sports Philadelphia, producing Philadelphia 76ers, Phillies and Flyers games. Aquila is assisting in Olympics coverage this year as a central tape supervisor.

University Relations

Designathon

The Department of Art and Design and the Communication Design program hosted the 18th annual Designathon Friday, Feb. 13, Sharadin Arts Building. KU has successfully donated nearly $2 million of free design services for non-profits organizations. This year's Designathon included 25 clients and more than 100 KU student participants.

University Relations

Condolences

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Dr. Karen Rauch’s father, Kenneth Rauch. We know you will join us in thinking of Karen and her family during this difficult time. Services to honor and remember Mr. Rauch, a veteran and outdoor enthusiast, will be held Saturday, Feb. 21, Ludwick Funeral Homes, Kutztown. For those who wish to offer their support, cards can be sent to Karen at the Provost's Office. For more information about Mr. Rauch's life and details regarding the service, read his full obituary.

Office of the Provost

Student Trustee Search

The Kutztown University Council of Trustees is searching for a new Student Trustee. The Council of Trustees is composed of an 11-member board, one of whom is a student. The Student Trustee is a full-voting member of the Council. The list of qualifications includes full-time undergraduate student; good university standing; 2.50 cumulative quality point average; must be able to serve for up to four years, including graduate studies; at least a first-semester sophomore, but no more than a second-semester junior. All nominations must be submitted in writing and must include the student’s name, email address and phone number. We will contact students nominated for the position. To nominate a student, or if you have any questions, please contact Payton Mentzer at paymentzer@kutztown.edu or Pam Rex at reichertre@kutztown.edu. The application deadline is Friday, Feb. 27.

University Relations

Ramadan 2026

Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin Wednesday, Feb. 18, and end Thursday, March 19. Eid al Fitr 2026 is expected to be celebrated Friday, March 20. Ramadan is a month of fasting, prayer, giving and self-evaluation observed by Muslims. Practicing Muslim students, staff and faculty will be fasting from dawn until dusk, approximately 4:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Fasting means no food and no water. Ramadan celebrations often involve prayers late into the night. It is not unusual to be up past midnight for prayers and then get up at 3:30-4 a.m. to eat before dawn and pray. Muslim students, staff and faculty may be tired, hungry and dehydrated; especially if they are in your classes, offices, meetings, events or athletic practices late in the afternoon and early evening. Please keep this in mind over the next month.

Ramadan 2026

Jerry Schearer, Diversity and Inclusion

Ash Wednesday at Newman Center

Ash Wednesday masses will be offered at 12:10 p.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, Saint Christopher Catholic Newman Center, located across from Old Main. The Sacrament of Penance will begin at 4:15 p.m. Learn more about the Newman Council online.

Newman Council

Your Marketing Help Desk: Live Q&A Session

Are you ready to take your marketing to the next level? Join us for this free weekly session noon Tuesday, Feb. 24, via Zoom, where small-business owners and entrepreneurs can bring their questions about digital marketing, social media strategy, Canva and branding and get expert answers in real time. This interactive "help desk" format provides practical insights, tools and strategies to strengthen your brand and grow your business in today's digital marketplace.

Register

Rachael Wolfe, KU SBDC

"Love, Campus Style" Door Decorating Winners

Announcing the winners of our Valentine's Door Decorating Contest: first place is the MSU Operations office; second place is the Rohrbach Library; third place is the Provost's Office. Thank you to all who participated and continue to show their love of KU through the halls. Pictures can be found on our Instagram post.

Erica Stratton, Student Affairs

Early Alert Progress Survey Available

The Spring 2026 Early Alert Progress Survey is available for faculty in Starfish until Thursday, Feb. 26. Faculty are encouraged to use the survey to send kudos to students as words of encouragement, to acknowledge good work and to reinforce student success early in the semester. Faculty can also raise flags of concern for attendance issues, missing/late or low-scoring assignments or submit a fully customized academic concern flag. Every kudos and flag template has the option to add custom content; the two options are completely customizable. All message templates can be viewed in Starfish D2L. For additional assistance, please visit Starfish in D2L, email starfish@kutztown.edu, call 610-683-4106 or attend a Starfish Express Workshop:
- 3-3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, Zoom
- 3-3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, Zoom
- 11-11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, Zoom

Nancy Brynildsen, Center for Student Success and Academic Excellence

Undergraduate Research and Creativity Spring 2026 Announcement Bulletin

In this issue:
- Spring workshop series for students
- UGRC website
- Conference funding for students
- Spring conference opportunities: KU Composition Conference April 13, KU Inspires April 16, HECBC Undergraduate Research Conference April 25
- UGRC Faculty Mentorship Award
- KU BEARS Grant deadline Feb. 23

UGRC Spring 2026 Announcements

Lynn M Kutch, Undergraduate Research and Creativity

Tutoring Services

Tutoring Services provides a comprehensive support program designed to help students succeed academically while building the skills needed to become confident, lifelong learners. Tutors are available for most 100 and 200 level courses as well as select upper-level classes. Students can schedule tutoring appointments in Starfish using the tutor link next to their course or by clicking the “I Need Help” button if tutoring is not listed. Students may also take advantage of Tutor.com, a virtual tutoring platform available 24/7. In addition, students have access to Academic Peer Mentors (APMs) for supplementary guidance and support. APM appointments can be scheduled in Starfish under the APM section in My Services. For more information, please contact the Tutoring Services office at 610-683-4207, email tutor@kutztown.edu, or visit the Tutoring Services website. Walk-ins are always welcome. We are located in 26 Rohrbach Library.

Tutoring Services

Adam Troxel, Tutoring Services

Faculty Awarded Tenure, Spring 2026

The Office of the President is pleased to announce that tenure has been granted to the following faculty members effective with the 2026 Spring Semester:
- Renee Hellert, Intercollegiate Athletic Services
- Elizabeth Schneider, Art and Design

Anne Imschweiler, Provost Office/Academic Affairs

Field Hockey Lands Program Record 10 NFHCA Division II Scholars of Distinction

Kutztown University field hockey set a new record with 10 Golden Bears earning National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division II Scholars of Distinction. This NFHCA award program recognizes exceptional undergraduate student-athletes who have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.9 or higher through the fall semester and were nominated by their NFHCA member coaches. The NFHCA recognized 144 outstanding undergraduate student-athletes overall as 2025 Division II Scholars of Distinction.

Field Hockey Scholars of Distinction

Sports Information

Smelas Garners PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Week for Fifth Time this Season

For the fifth time this season, senior center Olivia Smelas has been named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference's Eastern Division Defensive Athlete of the Week. In two games last week, both wins for Kutztown, Smelas was once again a leader defensively as she helped KU allow the lowest point totals back-to-back in eight games. In a 55-47 victory over Shippensburg, Smelas recorded four points, seven rebounds and four steals. In a 48-45 win at Bloomsburg, Smelas finished with a game-high 15 rebounds, eight of them defensively and added three steals and three assists.

Smelas Named PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Week

Sports Information