Daily Brief

Rape Aggression Defense Training

Rape Aggression Defense Training (R.A.D.), provided by Public Safety and Police Services, is free to female students, faculty and staff. Training is 6 p.m. Monday, March 23, 22A Old Main; Tuesday, March 24, Georgian Room; and Thursday, March 26, Georgian Room. You must attend all three sessions to complete the R.A.D. program. Email dsantos@kutztown.edu or call 610-683-4860 to sign up. Register online.

Public Safety and Police Services

With Gratitude

I want to express my profound gratitude for all the beautiful cards and other messages of sympathy shared with me during my recent bereavement. Your support and kindness following my father's passing have been a great comfort to me. I feel lucky to work with so many caring people.

Karen Rauch, Office of the Provost

Concert Cancellation: Jason T. Laczkoski

Unfortunately, we must announce the cancellation of the free concert featuring saxophonist Jason T. Laczkoski originally scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, in Schaeffer Auditorium.

Maya Strava Kokkinou, Music

Two AI Talks for Faculty and Staff

Dr. Amanda Licastro will visit campus to present two talks Thursday, March 12: "The Lifecycle of AI for a College Student," 11 a.m., 223 MSU; and "How to be AI Resistant Without Being AI Ignorant," 1:30 p.m., 183 MSU. The first presentation draws on Licastro's internal research and national data regarding student concerns, with concrete examples on ways campuses can respond to these anxieties. The second will bring forth research and nuances that can assist in decision-making and how to figure out policies and engagement critically. Both sessions are intended for faculty and staff with the second session open to students.

Laurie McMillan, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Student Commencement Speakers

Commencement Speaker applications are being accepted from graduate and undergraduate students graduating this spring. The application deadline is Friday, March 13. Please direct any interested students to the commencement website for more information and to apply.

University Relations

Traditional Egg Scratching at the Heritage Center

Join Sarah and Melissa 1 p.m. Saturday, March 14, Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center, to create your very own Easter scratch egg. This Eastertide tradition is fun and easy for all skill levels and ages and is free to students, faculty, staff and the public. Registration is required by emailing heritage@kutztown.edu.

Sarah Edris, PA German Cultural Heritage Center

PSECU Financial Education Center Closing, But Service Not Ending

The PSECU Financial Education Center, 280 McFarland Student Union, will be closing its doors Thursday, March 19, for the remainder of the year. However, PSECU remains committed to supporting the campus community, offering comprehensive banking services, financial literacy programs, on-campus ATMs, program support for student organizations and scholarship opportunities for student members while participating in campus programs such as visitation days and New Student Orientation. PSECU will remain available to assist members or those looking to open a membership and can be reached at 1-800-237-7328, extension 3838. The Campus Manager can be reached at 717-461-0099. If you have any questions, please reach out directly to PSECU or contact Anne Reel, Business Risk Manager, at 610-683-4049.

Anne Reel, Business Services

Volunteer for the Science Olympiad

Science Olympiad really needs help. It's getting closer to the date and we are short-staffed. Volunteers are needed to help KU host the CE Regional Science Olympiad Thursday, March 19 (snow date: Friday, March 20). The Science Olympiad is a competition held on campus that hosts nine middle schools and 33 high schools from nine counties. More than 600 students will compete in approximately 46 events based in science disciplines such as biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, computers and technology (B Schedule/C Schedule). We need your help to make all that happen. You do not need a science background to be a volunteer. We need help with registrations, lobby info, food sales/delivery, set-up, scoring, event assistance and so much more. You can judge an event with no preparation needed. Club advisers, please get your club involved. Contact our volunteer coordinator, Dr. Michael Davis at midavis@kutztown.edu, if you are interested and check out our website for more information. We look forward to having you as part of the team.

Science Olympiad

Eric Laub, Physics; Joann S. Monko, Chemistry; Hannah Wolfe, Assistant Coordinator; Science Olympiad

Mary Bononno Retirement Celebration

Please join us in a celebration for the retirement of Mary Bononno, Institutional Research Statistician, 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, 250 MSU. Light refreshments will be served. Come wish Mary a happy retirement and the best of luck for her new adventures.

Office of Information Technology

Happy Social Work Month

March is National Social Work Month. This year’s theme is “Social Workers: Uplift. Defend. Transform.” Please join the Department of Social Work as we celebrate and reflect on the great work being done by social workers in our communities. The Department of Social Work prepares students for careers committed to service, advocacy and community well-being. Our alumni work in schools, hospitals, community agencies, private practice and government programs across Pennsylvania and the country. Social workers are case managers, mental health/substance abuse therapists, clinical supervisors, community leaders and organizers and micro/mezzo/macro advocates with and on behalf of disadvantaged groups. Social workers address challenges such as mental health, access to care, poverty, oppression, discrimination, social justice and equity. If you have an interest in helping others by becoming an advocate in your community, please stop by the Social Work office located in 339 Old Main for more information.

Department of Social Work

Christopher Harris, Social Work

Call for Nominations: 2026 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 and an engraved plaque. Please submit a nomination letter and curriculum vitae to Douglas Scott at dscott@kutztown.edu by 4:30 p.m. Monday, April 6. Nominated candidates must also submit their own letter, maximum of two pages, that clearly outlines their qualifications across all three categories mentioned above. This letter should likewise be sent to Scott. Please visit the Schellenberg Award page for more information.

Center for Engaged Learning

Deadlines Approaching for UGRC Conferences

Please remind your student researchers to submit proposals for our upcoming local conferences.
- KU Composition Conference: "Seeking Truth." The proposal deadline is Friday, March 13, and the conference is Monday, April 13. KUCC Proposal Form.
- KU Inspires: “A Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creativity.” The proposal deadline is Saturday, March 14, and the conference is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, April 16, Rohrbach Library. KU Inspires Proposal Form.
- HECBC (Berks County Regional): "Minds in Motion: Research, Reflection, and Insight." This annual Berks County Undergraduate Research and Creativity Conference is for undergraduate students from all disciplines to showcase research and creative accomplishments while engaging with peers, faculty and the community. The proposal deadline is Friday, March 20, and the conference is Saturday, April 25, at Alvernia University. HECBC Proposal Form. All attendees must register for the conference by Monday, April 13. Questions can be directed to Dr. Joe Mahoney, hecbc@alvernia.edu.

UGRC Spring 2026 Deadlines

Lynn M Kutch, Undergraduate Research and Creativity