Daily Brief
Oct. 1, 2025
President Cavalier Visits Local Toothbrush Company
Dr. Phil Cavalier, president, accompanied by community liaison Sandy Green and others, visited the Radius Corporation in Kutztown, Monday, Sept. 29. Radius is an eco-friendly toothbrush and natural toothpaste company, producing sustainable toothbrushes for kids and families. The visit was part of Cavalier’s initiative to actively engage with our local businesses and build partnerships across the region.
University Relations
Avalanche's Birthday Sale
Today, Wednesday, Oct. 1, Kutztown University's beloved mascot, Avalanche, celebrates a major milestone – his 20th birthday. Pick up your very own Golden Bear Mascot to add KU pride to your dorm room, home or office. Sale prices are: $20 Avalanche Squishy, $12 Keychain/Mini Squishy and $8 Avalanche Planter. Sale runs until Saturday, Oct. 4. Read more about Avalanche is this year's edition of Tower.
KU Campus Store
Visiting Artist Kensuke Yamada
Kensuke Yamada was born in Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan, and is currently an assistant professor of ceramics at Chico State University. He incorporates his empathic perception of the nonverbal meanings of body language, gestures and facial expressions into artworks that capture universal human experiences. His figurative sculptures contain layered narratives that evoke "the beauty, the subtleties, the sadness and the humor of our everyday life." He will present an artist lecture at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, 108 Sharadin Arts Building. He will also be conducting studio demonstrations noon to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8; noon to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9; and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9. All events are free and open to the public.
gwendolyn yoppolo, Clay Club and the Department of Art and Design
Weather
Weather forecasts are provided by KU's Dr. Michael Davis and "Monsoon Mike" Regensburger
High pressure dominates. Mostly sunny skies are expected. High temperature near 70.
Announcements
Executive Director of Financial Aid
We are pleased to welcome Leida Nieves to Kutztown University as the new executive director of Financial Aid. Leida began Monday, Sept. 29, and brings more than 20 years of experience to the position, including roles in academics and financial aid. Leida comes from Flagler College in Florida, where she served as coordinator, Academic Case Management. She also held various roles at Daytona State College, where she served for more than a decade. Leida will be located in the Financial Aid Office, 209 Stratton Administration Center.
Matt Santos, University Relations, Athletics and Enrollment
Meet and Greet our New Executive Director
The Financial Aid Office would like to invite you to meet the newest member of our staff, executive director Leida Nieves. Please stop by to say hello 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, and introduce yourself.
Financial Aid Services
Gender and Sexual Minorities Conference Oct. 1-3
We are proud to invite the campus community to the ninth annual Gender and Sexual Minorities Conference Wednesday, Oct. 1, through Friday, Oct. 3, for this annual educational forum that highlights the experiences, struggles, progress and movements toward equity and visibility of the LGBTQ+ community. Please find the full schedule on the LGBTQ+ Resource Center website. Each day of the conference brings a wide array of sessions focusing on this year’s theme, “LGBTQ+ History: Honoring our Past, Present and Future.” Our keynote speaker, Broadway performer and debut author Chloe Davis, will present at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, 218 MSU. Her book, "The Queen's English," is a dictionary and colorful collection of LGBTQIA+ language with cultural references and usage notes. Davis will share her insights on the history of the language that represents a diverse community of LGBTQ+ and queer people and life experiences. She will also be available after her session for a book signing. Please encourage folks to RSVP on Engage for the specific session they will attend. Contact us with questions at 484-646-4111 or lgbtqresourcecenter@kutztown.edu. This conference is free and open to the campus community.
Gender and Sexual Minorities Conference
LGBTQ+ Resource Center
Miller-Keystone Blood Drive
The Community Outreach Center is partnering with Miller Keystone for their monthly blood drive Wednesday, Oct. 8. Register online to reserve your time. Every donation counts and every donation matters.
Miller-Keystone Mobile Drive Schedule
Amanda Garcia, Community Outreach Center
Notice from Human Resources
For all current staff, faculty and student employees: this is a reminder that current employees and volunteers are required to provide written notice to Human Resources within 72 hours after an arrest or conviction for a reportable offense or notice of being listed in the statewide database as a perpetrator of a founded or indicated report of child abuse. The form for reporting can be found on the KU Human Resource website under Employment.
Jennifer Weidman, Human Resources
Academics
Faculty First Thursday Presentation
Join us for our monthly College of Visual and Performing Arts Faculty First Thursday Presentation, 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, 120 Sharadin, with Keith Massie, associate professor, communication studies. Massie’s presentation is titled, “Examining the impact of Elon Musk’s Twitter Ownership on Public Sentiment about Colin Kaepernick.” What happens to public opinion when the world’s loudest digital megaphone gets a new owner? This study explores how conversations about Kaepernick shifted on Twitter before and after Musk’s takeover and rebranding of the platform to X. Drawing on hundreds of thousands of tweets, it examines changes in tone, polarization and the way users engage across both eras. Long-time participants and new voices alike tell an evolving story about the state of online debate. The findings raise pressing questions about how platform power can shape public discourse in surprising ways. This free presentation is open to the entire KU community and is presented by the College of Visual and Performing Arts Dean's Office. We look forward to seeing you there.
Faculty First Thursday Presentation
Joselyn Wynter, Dean's Office, College of Visual and Performing Arts
Psychology Career Conference
The Department of Psychology will host its annual Psychology Career Conference 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, 218 and 223 MSU.
Kara Barrell, Psychology
Hojnacki to Serve as Student Advocate for Academic Exceptions Committee
Please note the following change: Academic Exceptions Committee (AEC) petition referrals should now go through Kelly Hojnacki in the Dean of Students office. The AEC meets monthly during the academic year. Students are encouraged to meet with Hojnacki in Student Assistance for help in understanding the process and preparing their petition. Hojnacki is located in 119 Stratton and can be reached at hojnacki@kutztown.edu or 610-683-4075.
Benjamin Trout, Registrar's Office
New CEL Journal Post
Looking for a campus read that sparks ideas across classrooms, advising and student life? In our latest CEL journal post, Erin Kraal continues her Summer Reading series with "Relationship-Rich Education" by Peter Felten and Leo Lambert, a book based on thousands of interviews that highlights how meaningful connections drive student success.
Center for Engaged Learning
Upcoming Events
| Date | Time | Event |
| Oct. 1 | 10 a.m. | Gender and Sexual Minorities Conference 218 MSU |
| Oct. 1 | 10 a.m. | Faculty and Staff Headshots 195 MSU |
| Oct. 1 | 2:30 p.m. | Open Hour with Provost Old Main Concourse |
| Oct. 1 | 3 p.m. | Flu Vaccine Clinic MSU Parking Lot |
| Oct. 2 | 10 a.m. | Gender and Sexual Minorities Conference 218 MSU |
| Oct. 2 | 10:30 a.m. | Faculty First Thursday Presentation: Keith Massie 120 Sharadin |
| Oct. 2 | 4 p.m. | University Senate 202 Academic Forum |
| Oct. 3 | 10 a.m. | Gender and Sexual Minorities Conference 218 MSU |
| Oct. 6 | 3 p.m. | Faculty: Middle States Open Forum 183 MSU |
| Oct. 6 | 7 p.m. | French and Spanish Voice Recital Georgian Room |
| Oct. 7 | 9 a.m. | Staff: Middle States Open Forum 183 MSU |
| Oct. 7 | 7:30 p.m. | Rock the Lawn Schaeffer Lawn |
| Oct. 8 | -- | Blood Drive Student Recreation Center (Register) |
| Oct. 8 | 11 a.m. | Middle States Final Report 183 MSU |
| Oct. 9 | 7:30 p.m. | Orchestra Concert Schaeffer Auditorium |
Athletics
Traynor has Clutch Week for No. 2 Kutztown, Gives KU First PSAC Athlete of the Week
In three games last week, three victories for No. 2 Kutztown field hockey, junior midfielder Jessica Traynor found the back of the cage in every game, tallying four goals, including the game-winners in each of the three games. She was named this week's PSAC Athlete of the Week.
Traynor Named PSAC Athlete of the Week
Sports Information
| Date | Time | Event |
| Oct. 3 | 6 p.m. | Women's Volleyball vs. West Chester Keystone Arena (Watch | Stats) |
| Oct. 4 | Noon | #4 Football vs. Shippensburg Andre Reed Stadium (Watch | Listen | Stats | Tickets) |
| Oct. 4 | 1 p.m. | Women's Soccer vs. #25 Bloomsburg Keystone Field (Watch | Stats) |
| Oct. 4 | 4 p.m. | Women's Volleyball vs. Millersville Keystone Arena (Watch | Stats) |
| Oct. 4 | 5 p.m. | #2 Field Hockey vs. #6 Bloomsburg Andre Reed Stadium (Watch | Stats) |
| Oct. 5 | 11:30 a.m. | Women's Golf hosts Fall Invitational Moselem Springs Golf Club (Fleetwood, Pa.) |
| Oct. 6 | 11:30 a.m. | Women's Golf hosts Fall Invitational Moselem Springs Golf Club (Fleetwood, 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.