Daily Brief
May 13, 2026
Rock Ensemble Continues Excellence with KU's 11th Student Music Award from DownBeat Magazine
Kutztown University's Rock Ensemble I has been honored as the Undergraduate College Winner in the Blues/Pop/Rock Group category of the 2026 DownBeat Magazine Student Music Awards. The DownBeat Student Music Awards are considered the most prestigious awards in jazz education, recognizing the nation's top music programs. This is the 11th Student Music Award for KU's Commercial Music program in the last 10 years.
University Relations
Dra. Leslie C. Sotomayor II Elected Chair of NAEA Research Commission
It is an honor to announce that Dra. Leslie C. Sotomayor II, assistant professor of art education and FDI scholar, has been elected chair of the National Art Education Association (NAEA) Research Commission. This distinguished appointment recognizes her leadership, scholarly commitment and contributions to advancing research in the field of art education. The NAEA Research Commission has worked to conduct research, generate knowledge and share findings that strengthen visual arts education across communities of practice. The Research Commission continues to foster advocacy, dialogue, collaboration, professional learning and inclusive research cultures within and beyond NAEA. Sotomayor’s election as chair reflects a commitment to this evolving vision and to the continued growth of a vibrant, ethical, diverse and expansive research network in the field.
Art Education, College of Visual and Performing Arts
Weather
Weather forecasts are provided by KU's Dr. Michael Davis and "Monsoon Mike" Regensburger
Announcements
Parking Lots Closed for Commencement
Parking lots E1 and E2 will be closed Wednesday, May 13 through Saturday, May 16, as we prepare for commencement. Thank you for your cooperation.
University Relations
Celebration of Dr. Fernando's Kutztown Career
Please join us in celebrating Dr. Sudarshan Fernando as he prepares to leave Kutztown University at the end of the Spring 2026 semester after 21 years of dedicated service. We will get together and celebrate 1 p.m. Thursday, May 14, 145 Boehm lobby. Light refreshments will be served. We invite you to stop by and share your appreciation and well wishes. Since arriving in August 2005, Fernando has been integral to the physics program and to the Department of Physical Sciences, most recently serving as department chair for the past three years. His contributions have left a lasting impact on our students and department. Please join us as we thank Fernando for his years of service and for celebrating his many accomplishments.
Christine Kocott-Shay, Physical Sciences
Healthy U Healthcare Premium Reduction Program Open Enrollment
"Healthy U" is for all staff in the following groups: APSCUF Faculty and Coaches, Managers, OPEIU, POA and SPFPA. AFSMCE and SCUPA healthcare plans have the "Get Healthy" program, so “Healthy U” does not apply to you.
To qualify for the lowest health care premium beginning July 2026, enrolled employees and spouses on your plan are required to complete “Healthy U” by Sunday, May 31, to keep the lower premium payment. If you have a spouse on your plan and they do not complete the survey through their personal Highmark login, you will pay the higher premium. This is an annual survey that must be completed each year for continued enrollment in the lower premium. Please check your email for a notice from PASSHE Employee Benefits. If you do not compete the “Healthy U” survey before May 31, you will automatically be switched to the higher premium payment from July 2026 through June 2027 and will have to wait until the enrollment period in 2027 to complete the survey for the lower premium payment starting July 2027. For more information, please visit the PASSHE Healthy U webpage.
Quick Tips:
- If you don’t have a MyHighmark account, register first.
- Follow the Healthy U Step By Step Instructions – You must agree to all of the authorizations to qualify for the discounted premium rate.
- Save a screenshot when complete.
- For technical assistance with your MyHighmark account, call 1-866-306-1059, option 1. For general “Healthy U” questions, feel free to contact Highmark at 1-888-745-3212 or your university HR department. This is a quick and easy survey that takes about 15-20 minutes to complete. Be proactive and make sure you take 20 minutes to save hundreds of dollars a year.
Elisabeth Manwiller, Human Resources
Upcoming Events
| Date | Time | Event |
| 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 Keystone Arena |
| 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
Givone, Szeplaki Selected to NCAA Championships
Senior Kevin Givone and freshman Andrew Szeplaki of the Kutztown University men's track and field team will have their 2026 seasons continue as the duo was selected to compete at the 2026 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships, May 21-23 at Emporia State University in Kansas. Both will be competing Saturday, May 23, with Givone in the javelin throw and Szeplaki in the pole vault. It is the second NCAA appearance for Givone, who also participated during the 2024 season, and the first for Szeplaki. The javelin is set to begin at 1 p.m. and the pole vault is slated to start at 3 p.m.
Givone, Szeplaki Selected to NCAA Championships
Athletic Communications
| Date | Time | Event |
| May 14 | 1:30 p.m. | Softball vs. West Chester NCAA Atlantic Regionals Stroudsburg, Pa. (Watch | Stats) |
| May 16 | Noon | Women's Lacrosse at East Stroudsburg NCAA Quarterfinals/ Atlantic Region Championship East Stroudsburg, Pa. (Watch | Stats) |
| May 23 | 1 p.m. | Men's Track and Field at NCAA Championships Emporia, Kan. (Results) |
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.