Daily Brief
May 12, 2026
Spring 2026 Commencement May 15-16
More than 1,300 students will be awarded degrees during Kutztown University's spring commencement ceremonies May 15-16, at O'Pake Fieldhouse.
Spring Commencement Coverage Website
University Relations
Sherrod and O'Brien Receive 2026 UGRC Faculty Mentorship Awards
The 2026 UGRC Faculty Mentorship Award recipients, Dr. Laura Sherrod and Dr. Brandon O'Brien (emerging mentor), were honored at this year's Chambliss Awards ceremony. The awards recognize excellence in faculty engagement with undergraduate researchers and carry $500 in professional development funds.
Lynn M. Kutch, Undergraduate Research and Creativity
Mathematics Department Awards
The Mathematics Department held its senior celebration Friday, May 8. Congratulations to our student winners.
- Mathematics Award: Peter Schaefer
- J. Dwight Daugherty Award: Alex Wetzel
- Kappa Mu Epsilon Award in Mathematics: Jaclyn Troutman
- Mathematics UG Research Award: Peter Cadiz and Brady Sherry
- Mathematics Student Teaching Award: Kalliyana Long
- Putnam Competition: Ben McDowell, Alexa Fisher and Andrew Moody
- Mugridge Competition Awards: First: Ben McDowell and Andrew Moody; Second: Jaclyn Troutman; Third: Brady Sherry and Matt Ventura; Fourth: Keira Miller.
- Kappa Mu Epsilon inducted a new cohort of Math Honor Society members: Aaron Tomalino, Ellie Myers, Jonas Hausmann, Joshua Schlosser, Luke LeBlanc, Miriam Rodas Aguilar, Peter Schaeffer, Sheila Colon, Snow Perez and Trey Wachob.
Brian Kronenthal, Chair of Mathematics
Weather
Weather forecasts are provided by KU's Dr. Michael Davis and "Monsoon Mike" Regensburger
Announcements
Thesis Presentation of Eve Collier
Please join the Department of Computer Science and Information Technology 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 12, 158 Old Main, for a public thesis presentation by Eve Collier, "Exploring Artificial Intelligence Use as Academic and Social Support Among College Students." For more information, please contact Donna DeMarco.
Donna DeMarco, Computer Science and Information Technology
Counseling Center Walk-In Hours Finals Week
The Counseling Center walk-in hours during finals week are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. If you need support, please come by the Health and Wellness Center located in Beck Hall and we would be happy to assist you.
Tiffany Stasiunas, Kutztown University Counseling Center
AFSCME Membership Meeting
Please join AFSCME 2234 for its membership meeting 5 p.m. Monday, May 18, 203 Academic Forum. If you have any questions, please bring them to the meeting. Dinner will be provided.
Christina Ferris, AFSCME/Biology Department
Orientation Welcome Crew Members Wanted
With summer quickly approaching, we are working hard in the New Student Orientation office to plan and deliver an even stronger orientation experience than last year. As a continuation of one of our well-received initiatives from Summer 2025, we want your help. Connections Orientation is seeking personable and engaging members of the KU community to help create a welcoming and warm environment for our new Golden Bears. Last summer, families and students were highly receptive to professional staff who served in roles such as morning greeters, directional guides and lunch hosts. We hope to continue providing similar experiences this year. If you are on campus in the summer with flexibility and permission to assist at orientation, we would love to have you. The more connections and welcoming faces our guests encounter on campus, the better. If interested in a role on the welcome crew, please reach out to Brett Santos for more information. As a reminder, freshman dates will take place July 8-11 and July 22-25. A production meeting will take place in June to cover more detailed plans for the program.
New Student Orientation
Academics
FYE Guide Request Fall 2026
If you are interested in having an FYE Guide for your Fall 2026 FYSM section(s), please complete FYE Guide Request Fall 2026. FYE Guides function as course assistants, providing valuable support to students both inside and outside of the classroom. If you already have a student in mind, please speak with them prior to submitting the form to confirm their interest. If you do not have a student identified, please submit your request and we will make every effort to match your course with an FYE Guide. Submitting your request early increases our ability to secure a strong candidate.
Cheryl Brattley, Center for Student Success and Academic Excellence
Upcoming Events
| Date | Time | Event |
| May 12 | 11 a.m. | VP for Enrollment Management, Candidate C 183 MSU |
| May 12 | 11 a.m. | German Horror Stories Showcase Georgian Room |
| May 12 | 5 p.m. | Thesis Presentation: Eve Collier 158 Old Main |
| May 13 | 11 a.m. | VP for Enrollment Management, Candidate D 183 MSU |
| May 13 | 7 p.m. | Senior Recital: Brianna Herrera Jimenez 163 Old Main |
| May 14 | 1 p.m. | Reception: Sudarshan Fernando 145 Boehm |
| May 14 | 1 p.m. | Tutor.com Orientation Teams |
| May 14 | 4 p.m. | Senior Toast 250 MSU |
| May 15 | 5 p.m. | Graduate Commencement O'Pake Fieldhouse (Watch) |
| May 16 | 9 a.m. | Undergraduate Commencement: COE, CLAS O'Pake Fieldhouse (Watch) |
| May 16 | 2 p.m. | Undergraduate Commencement: COB, CVPA O'Pake Fieldhouse (Watch) |
| May 18 | 5 p.m. | AFSCME Membership Meeting 203 AF |
| May 20 | 9 a.m. | May Assessment Day 250 MSU (Register) |
| May 21 | 12:30 p.m. | Faculty and Staff Recognition Picnic - Offices Closed O'Pake Fieldhouse (RSVP) |
| May 25 | -- | Memorial Day University Closed |
| May 27 | 9 a.m. | Faculty Writing Retreat CEL (RSVP) |
Athletics
| Date | Time | Event |
| May 16 | Noon | Women's Lacrosse at East Stroudsburg NCAA Quarterfinals East Stroudsburg, Pa. (Watch | Stats) |
| May 21 | TBA | Men's Outdoor Track & Field NCAA Outdoor Championships Emporia, Kan. |
| May 28 | 6:30 p.m. | Softball vs. West Chester NCAA First Round East Stroudsburg, 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 socialequity@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 01, 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.