Daily Brief
May 1, 2025
Philip Cavalier Named President of Kutztown University
The Board of Governors of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education on Wednesday unanimously selected Philip Cavalier, Ph.D., to be the next president of Kutztown University following a nationwide search. The appointment takes effect July 6, 2025. Cavalier is the provost and senior vice chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Tennessee at Martin (UTM), a regional public university with more than 7,000 students in northwest Tennessee. "I am thrilled to be selected to serve as the next president of Kutztown University and join a remarkable community of engaged scholars and professionals committed to transforming students' lives," Cavalier said. During his 10 years of exemplary leadership, President Hawkinson has built a strong foundation for Kutztown. I look forward to collaborating with all the campus and external stakeholders to enhance Kutztown's reputation as a premier regional university in the northeast."
University Relations
Rock Ensemble I Concert
The wait is over: Rock Ensemble I is ready to bring the house down and is taking over Schaeffer Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 1. Free admission and all are welcome.
Maya Strava Kokkinou, Department of Music
Weather
Weather forecasts are provided by KU's Dr. Michael Davis and "Monsoon Mike" Regensburger
A warm front slowly begins to lift north. The result is partly sunny skies, with clouds becoming a bit more copious in the afternoon. High 75. Showers and thundershowers are possible tonight.
Announcements
Spirit Fridays
Fridays at KU are Spirit Fridays. All faculty, staff, students and the community are encouraged to wear maroon and gold and/or Kutztown University apparel on Fridays throughout the year. The KU Campus Store offers 20% off apparel and gifts the first Friday of every month as part of its First Friday Sale (in-store and online).
University Relations
May is Foster Care Awareness Month — Honoring Resilience and Empowering Futures
Kutztown University proudly recognizes May as Foster Care Awareness Month, a time to honor and uplift students who are currently in or have experienced foster care. These students bring extraordinary resilience, strength and perspective to our campus community. KU is committed to supporting their success through the Providing Resources and Opportunities for Future Standouts (PROFS) program. PROFS offers comprehensive support including academic guidance, life skills development, financial assistance and a strong sense of community. The PROFS program is proudly supported by ChildPromise Inc., which helps provide critical resources to students with foster care experience. To learn more about the PROFS program or ways to support students with foster care experience, please contact Nadia Daher at daher@kutztown.edu or profs@kutztown.edu or stop by 109 Stratton. Let's continue working together to ensure all Golden Bears feel seen, supported and celebrated.
Nadia Daher, PROFS Program
Annual Out of the Darkness Walk May 4
Join us for our annual Out of the Darkness Walk, benefiting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), Sunday, May 4, DMZ. Registration begins at 1 p.m. followed by a ceremony before the walk at 2 p.m. Gather your team to walk and support our efforts online. These walks occur in cities, communities and campuses nationwide. Our Campus Walk is an opportunity for those affected by suicide and their supporters to raise awareness and essential funds, sending a strong message that suicide is preventable and that no one is alone. If you are unable to participate in the walk, you can still contribute by making a donation to AFSP online. If you are part of a community group or would like your club to have a table with an activity on the day of the walk, please contact Dr. Brenner by Thursday, May 1. Together, we aim to bring home the message "Hope Walks Here" at Kutztown University.
Patricia Ann Brenner, NAMI KU
Chris Sacchi Retirement Reception
Congratulations to Chris Sacchi on his retirement after a distinguished 27-year career as professor of biology and for the past eight years as chair of the biology department. Chris has been essential to the success of our department and a tireless supporter of his students. He will be missed by all. The biology department will host a reception noon to 2 p.m., Wednesday, May 14, 250 MSU. Please stop by to congratulate Chris and wish him well in his retirement.
Gregory P. Setliff, Biological Sciences
From the Office of Student Assistance
We encourage you to complete a Student of Concern Referral form or submit a Student Assistance referral through Starfish if you notice a student who appears to be struggling. Signs may include changes in behavior, appearance, class attendance, academic performance, communication or general signs of distress. As we near the end of the Spring 2025 semester, we recognize that this time of year can be particularly challenging for many students. Increased academic pressure, financial strain, emotional fatigue and personal stress are common as finals approach and the semester wraps up. If you're concerned about a student's ability to succeed or their overall well-being, please do not hesitate to make a referral. These referrals help connect students with the resources and support systems they may need during this high-stress time. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the Office of Student Assistance at studentassistance@kutztown.edu. For more information, visit the Student Assistance website. For emergencies that require immediate attention, contact Public Safety and Police Services at 610-683-4001.
Kelly Hojnacki, Office of Student Assistance
Upcoming Events
| Date | Time | Event |
| May 1 | 10:30 a.m. | Faculty First Thursday Presentation 120 Sharadin |
| May 1 | 11 a.m. | Keith Haring Day Haring Fitness Court |
| May 1 | 2:30 p.m. | Open Hour with Provost MSU Bears Den |
| May 1 | 4 p.m. | University Senate Meeting 202 Academic Forum |
| May 1 | 7:30 p.m. | Rock Ensemble I Schaeffer Auditorium |
| May 2 | 2 p.m. | Dissertation Defense: Alice Fischer 324L Old Main |
| May 2 | 7:30 p.m. | Wind Ensemble Schaeffer Auditorium |
| May 3 | 7:30 p.m. | Trombone Choir Schaeffer Auditorium |
| May 4 | 4 p.m. | Orchestra with Choir Schaeffer Auditorium |
| May 4 | 1 p.m. | Out of the Darkness Walk DMZ |
| May 5 | 9 a.m. | Mobile Mammograms Recreation Center Parking Lot E-2 |
| May 5 | 11 a.m. | Memorial Tree Ceremony Front Lawn - Rohrbach Library |
| May 7 | -- | Miller Keystone Blood Drive 218 MSU (RSVP) |
| May 16 | Noon | BYO Lunch and Learn: The Hiring Process 312 MSU (RSVP) |
Athletics
| Date | Time | Event |
| May 1 | 10 a.m. | Softball vs. Slippery Rock PSAC Championships Quakertown, Pa. (Watch | Stats) |
| May 2 | 1 p.m. | Baseball vs. Shippensburg (DH) Senior Day North Campus Field (Watch | Stats) |
| May 2 | 1 p.m. | Men's Tennis vs. Edinboro PSAC Semifinals Bloomsburg, Pa. |
Accommodations
Persons with a disability, and who require accommodation, should notify the Disability Services Office two weeks prior to the event at 610-683-4108 or email DSO@kutztown.edu, TDD number: 610-683-4499, in order to discuss accommodations. Every effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodations. Please note: Kutztown University does not provide wheelchairs or other mobility devices.
Non-Discrimination Statement
Kutztown University does not discriminate in employment or educational opportunities on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status. To discuss a complaint of discrimination, please contact the Office of Social Equity, Old Main A-Wing, Room 02, by phone at 610-683-4700 or by email at pena@kutztown.edu. Pursuant to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Kutztown University does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, including admissions and employment. Any inquiries regarding the application of Title IX at Kutztown University may be made to Bradley Davis, the university’s Title IX coordinator, located in Old Main A-Wing, Room 02A, by phone at 610-683-4782 or by email at titleix@kutztown.edu. You may also contact the Office for Civil Rights located in the Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Bldg., 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-1100, by phone at 800-421-3481 (TDD: 800-877-8339), by fax at 202-453-6012, or by email at OCR@ed.gov.