Daily Brief

Frederick Douglass Institute Open House

The Frederick Douglass Institute (FDI) invites the campus community to our Open House 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, Multicultural Center.
Come learn about:
- FDI faculty and student scholars and the collaborative model for mentorship, student research, experiential learning and public-facing projects.
- Ways to recommend students for the FDI Student Scholars research track, internships and short-term micro-internships.
- Opportunities to contribute to or collaborate on programming, research, civic engagement and social justice initiatives without taking on an entirely new project.
- Materials and opportunities you can share directly with students who may benefit from FDI programs.
The Open House will also feature a special guest speaker, a hands-on activity, books, resources and opportunities to meet former and current FDI participants and collaborators. Can't make the event, but want to support FDI? Check out our newly updated website and submit an interest form.

Frederick Douglass Institute

Amber Pabon, Frederick Douglass Institute

A Full House for Feedback

The Center for Engaged Learning (CEL) welcomed Dr. Leslie Gates, director of the Center for Academic Excellence and professor of Art Education at Millersville University, Thursday, Oct. 1, for her presentation, "Increasing the Quality of Peer Feedback." The workshop portion drew a full house of faculty interested in a deceptively difficult teaching challenge: How do we help students give one another feedback that is honest, specific and actually useful? Gates shared practical strategies for improving peer feedback and building classroom cultures where students can develop these skills. The conversation continued afterward with a well-attended discussion group, allowing faculty to dig deeper, exchange ideas and consider applications in their own courses. Pizza helped fuel the conversation. CEL's next workshop, "New Kids on the Block," will be held Tuesday, Oct. 20. Faculty who have joined KU within the past three years are invited to join us for an informal opportunity to meet and connect with colleagues, share ideas, questions and experiences.

CEL Programs and Events

Center for Engaged Learning

Advisor Forum

Join us 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, 183 MSU, to connect with fellow student organization advisors, share real-world insights and discover tools to help your group thrive. Whether you’re a seasoned advisor or navigating the role for the first time, this is a welcoming space to swap ideas, celebrate successes and learn strategies to navigate common challenges together. You’ll leave with practical resources, fresh inspiration and a stronger network of colleagues. Come collaborate, recharge and help make our campus community even stronger.

Student Affairs

Water Valve Exercising

On an annual basis, our heat plant staff goes through the campus and exercises the various water valves to ensure they operate properly. This work will span the next few weeks. This task is similar to turning a hose spigot on and off. The difference is these valves are underground. In some locations, this task can cause momentary disruptions of water service, depending on the valve and the line being exercised. If disruptions occur, they should not last more than a minute or two. Thank you for your patience as we work through this annual process.

William Meeker, Facilities

Benefits Announcement: PEBTF Open Enrollment Period

PEBTF Open Enrollment Period is Monday, Oct. 12 through Friday, Oct. 30. The Open Enrollment Period is your annual opportunity to review your plan options and ensure that you have the coverage that works best for you and your family in 2027. All changes made to your enrollments through the open enrollment period will be effective Jan. 1, 2027. Stay tuned for more emails and announcements from PEBTF with information on the open enrollment period, changes to your benefits plans and changes to the cost of coverage. If you have any questions, please reach out to the Human Resources Department at HumanResources@Kutztown.edu.

Carleen McElderry, Human Resources

Wear Purple for Purple Thursday

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Purple Thursday, an annual event occurring on the third Thursday of October, is a national day of action to raise awareness for domestic violence and show support for survivors. We encourage all KU students, faculty and staff to wear purple Thursday, Oct. 15 and join us at 11:15 a.m. on the lawn behind Rohrbach Library for a campus picture to raise awareness for domestic violence in our community.

Jalil Dixon, Office of Compliance

Call for Proposals for PASSHE Women's Conference

The PASSHE Women’s Consortium is hosting the annual Women’s Conference virtually this fall on Friday, Oct. 23. The Call for Proposals deadline is Friday, Oct. 16. Building on conversations and connections from last year’s conference, this year’s theme, "Resilience, Intentionality, and Community-building," calls us together to celebrate our strengths, prioritize our well-being and unite in shared and complementary purposes across PASSHE. Our dialogue continues to remind us that resilience in academia is not built in isolation, but through intentional relationships, shared purpose and inclusive spaces where people felt seen, supported and empowered.

Fall PASSHE Women’s Conference

Marlene Nanouh Fares, PASSHE Women's Consortium

Homecoming Spirit Stations

Homecoming is right around the corner and the Office of Student Involvement (OSI) is proud to announce the theme and logo for Homecoming 2026: One Team One Roar. To get everyone into the Homecoming spirit, OSI is asking for participation in hosting spirit stations. Spirit stations will be held across campus during the free hour, 11 a.m. to noon, Thursday, Oct. 22. Students can stop by your office or designated location, get into the Homecoming spirit, pick up swag, snacks, or do a short activity, and feel the Golden Energy in the air. If you are interested in hosting a spirit station, please fill out the Spirit Station Sign Up. The form closes Sunday, Oct. 18, so they can get details announced to the students. Please reach out to involvement@kutztown.edu if you have any questions.

Laura Fenimore, Office of Student Involvement

Please Excuse Students Oct. 8-14

Please excuse the following students from class attendance (but not classwork) Thursday, Oct. 8 to Wednesday, Oct. 14. They will be presenting their research at the Geological Society of America meeting in Denver, Colorado. Hunter Dufresne, Abe Friehauf, Elizabeth Keim, Heidi Kropff, Rachel Love, Todd Messner, Sierra Smart, Rachel Stahley, Rhianna Stutz, Kimo Washington, Maddy Will.

Kurt Friehauf, Physical Sciences