Daily Brief

Baxter Awarded Outstanding Special Needs Art Educator Award

Dr. Kristin Baxter, assistant professor of Art Education, has been awarded the 2026 Pennsylvania Art Education Association Outstanding Special Needs Art Educator Award. The award will be presented during the Art and Soul Conference Friday, Oct. 17. Baxter's NeighborMade pedagogy emerged through her work with Ripple Community Inc. (RCI) in Allentown, a nonprofit dedicated to community-building among neighbors who have traditionally been marginalized and cultivating connections across social boundaries. Through her relational artmaking approach as RCI's Community Arts and Belonging Scholar-in-Residence, Baxter creates welcoming spaces where community members can share their stories, build relationships and experience belonging.

Carrie Nordlund, Art Education

Free Tickets for "Centralia: The Fire Below"

This new play will premiere 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15-16, and 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, Schaeffer Auditorium. "Centralia: The Fire Below" is the saga of the Pennsylvania town consumed by an underground mine fire. The 90-minute play features several original films, including "The Murder and Trial of Alexander Rea" and "Centralia Hill: Silent No More." A museum of Centralia artifacts will be available in Schaeffer lobby 30 minutes before and after the performance. The cast includes actors from New York City, Philadelphia and Kutztown University. Tickets are free. Use the following link to reserve your tickets today: Centralia Tickets. For more information email: Centralia@kutztown.edu.

Centralia: The Fire Below

Deryl Johnson, Communication Studies

ECA Alumni Share Their Stories with the Next Cohort

During the Early College Academy (ECA) orientation Monday, Aug. 17, current students reflected on their experiences as ECA participants. During the alumni panel, former ECA students who chose to continue their education at Kutztown shared advice, encouragement and insights with this year's cohort of 94 students. Their stories highlighted the lasting impact of the program, with one student describing ECA as "life-changing." Alumni spoke about the confidence, connections and sense of belonging they developed through the experience while encouraging new students to take advantage of all available opportunities. The panel also illustrated the ECA's growing impact as a recruitment pathway for Kutztown University. Of the 105 students who completed the program between 2024 and 2026, 56 (53.3%) chose to matriculate to Kutztown. Seeing current Golden Bears mentor the next generation served as a powerful reminder that the ECA is more than a dual enrollment program; it is a community that helps students envision themselves at KU long before they make their college decision.

Early College Academy

College of Education

Student Recreation Center Closed Saturday

The Student Recreation Center will be closed Saturday, Sept. 12, due to the home football game. This closure includes the fitness center, indoor track, basketball courts and locker rooms. Please note that the building itself will remain open for the game and the President's Tailgate. We appreciate your patience and understanding during the Keystone Hall construction project as we continue to accommodate limited facility space.

Tracy Turner, Recreational Services

JCPenney Suit-Up Event

You are invited to attend a KU and JCPenney Suit-Up event 4-7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, Lehigh Valley Mall. Get up to an additional 45% off professional clothing. This event is exclusively for KU faculty, staff, students and alumni. Please bring your KU ID. No registration is required.

Jeann Cengeri, Career Development Center

Faculty and Staff Headshots

University Relations is offering headshots for any KU faculty or staff member who would like a new or updated photo. Stop by 195 MSU to get your photo taken anytime between 9 a.m. and noon Thursday, Sept. 17, or Tuesday, Sept. 29.

Chris Sponagle, University Relations

2026 SECA Campaign: Answer the Call

Often, even a small group of people committed to a common cause can accomplish great things. Just imagine what thousands of commonwealth employees can accomplish by committing to "Answer the Call," this year’s State Employee Combined Appeal (SECA) theme. Since SECA began in the 1970s, employees have raised more than $100 million. Many of your colleagues give each year because SECA allows them to easily donate to the causes most important to them. This year, our agency is striving to meet our goal of $37,884.43. Employees can elect a recurring or one-time deduction from your pay, or you can donate using a check or money order. To contribute, visit the Fiori Self Service Portal in ESS and select the block for SECA Enrollment in your Benefits section. The resource guide contains the list of participating charities and instructions on how to pledge. The 2026 SECA campaign ends Sunday, Oct. 25.

Rebecca Thompson, Human Resources

Academic Affairs Directory Now Available

Looking for contact information for dean's offices, department chairs or secretaries? The updated Academic Affairs Directory has you covered. To request a printable version, please call Ext. 34155.

Anne Imschweiler, Provost Office, Academic Affairs

Jeanne Clery Act: Campus Security Authorities

Campus Security Authorities (CSAs) include those who work in campus safety, those responsible for security and monitoring access to our buildings and those designated in our campus security policies to receive crime reports. The law also defines a campus security authority as "an official of an institution who has significant responsibility for student and campus activities, including, but not limited to, student housing, student discipline and campus judicial proceedings." If you are in a position where someone is likely to come to you with information about a Clery Act crime, you could be considered a campus security authority. To learn more about Clery Act crimes or to determine whether you are a CSA, please email clery@kutztown.edu. If you believe you meet the definition of a CSA, please let us know ASAP.

Anne Reel and Marie Fenstermacher, Clery Compliance Coordinators, Office of Compliance