Daily Brief

1866 Giving Challenge Raises More Than $600,000 for KU Students

The 1866 Giving Challenge concluded following Homecoming weekend with an outstanding $601,312 raised from 2,664 donors in support of Kutztown University students. During the initial 1,866 minutes of incentivized giving, 2,313 donors contributed $500,386. That momentum continued throughout Homecoming weekend, bringing the Challenge to its remarkable final total. The Kutztown University Foundation extends its sincere thanks to the alumni, donors, faculty, staff, students and friends who made this year's Challenge a success. Your generosity and enthusiasm will help strengthen academic and athletic programs, student organizations, experiential learning opportunities, emergency funds and scholarships. Thank you for coming together to create golden opportunities for KU students.

KU Foundation

From College Student to Classroom Teacher: Learning with PaTTAN

Kutztown University Special Education students recently traveled to the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) in Harrisburg for a hands-on learning experience connecting their coursework to their future careers. Students met with PaTTAN administrators and directors, toured the Accessible Educational Materials Center, learned how textbooks are brailled for students across Pennsylvania and explored resources they can use as they transition from college students to classroom teachers. The experience, fully funded by PaTTAN, provided students with an opportunity to learn directly from an important statewide education partner while gaining resources and knowledge they can carry into their future classrooms. Special thanks to Dr. Nicole Johnson, professor of Special Education: Visual Impairment and assistant department chair, for her leadership and continued commitment to creating meaningful learning opportunities for KU students.

Rebecca West Burns, College of Education

Faculty First Thursday Presentation

Join us 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, 120 Sharadin, for our second Faculty First Thursday presentation, "The Possibility of an Island." Anthony Smith, Jr., Studio Art, will discuss his recent work in painting, quilting and performance, by reflecting on how personal history, place and imagination shape his studio practice. This free presentation is open to faculty, students and staff.

Visual and Performing Arts Facebook

Josie Wynter, College of Visual and Performing Arts

Fall 2026 Late-Start Courses Attendance Verification

Attendance verification, required federally to award financial aid under Policy ACA-090, is available until 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3. Faculty should indicate whether students have attended or have never attended using one of two flags. Please verify attendance status for every student. Students who recently added a course, but a meeting has not yet occurred since that change, should be marked as attending. For additional assistance, please visit Starfish in D2L, email starfish@kutztown.edu, call 610-683-4106 or attend the Starfish Drop-In session 11-11:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, via Zoom.

Center for Student Success and Academic Excellence

The 15th Annual Conference on Social Work in the Global Environment

Join the Department of Social Work for the 15th Annual Social Work in the Global Environment Conference, "Social Work in the Age of AI: Local and Global Trends and Innovations," 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, Zoom. This virtual conference will explore the ethical implications of AI in social work practice, global and local innovations shaping the future of the profession and the impact of AI on social work. Faculty, students, practitioners and community members are encouraged to attend. Register to receive the Zoom link and join the conversation on the future of social work.

Maria N. De La Cruz, Social Work