Christopher Sponagle Named KU Employee of the Month for November 2025

KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Congratulations to Christopher Sponagle, multimedia director, University Relations, on being named Kutztown University Employee of the Month for November 2025.

Sponagle's nomination came from several individuals, which can be read below.

Stephen Rupprecht, Dean of Students
"I am really proud to nominate Chris for the employee of the month award. This nomination is long overdue for someone who is so worthy of this recognition. While I have worked with Chris over the past 16 months during my employment here at KU, it has been most recently that Chris demonstrated the great value he brings to elevating the work that I do through his great talents.

While I might be the founder of our new Cub Cab tradition, Chris spends hours reviewing the footage and making the final product into something fun, entertaining and memorable. He makes me look good. Chris does this with enthusiasm and with a silent and mature professionalism that I greatly respect. It is important to note that Chris already has a lot on his plate, so Cub Cab has, unfortunately, added to this already existing press on his talents. One of the many goals in the Office of the Dean of Students is to direct greater attention to university traditions to create lifelong memories and positive experiences that will strengthen our retention and persistence rates. We believe strongly that Cub Cab positively contributes to this goal, and therefore, Chris contributes to this goal.

Many others across the university are using social media videos to entertain and draw positive attention to KU. I recently remarked how much I enjoyed a video released by Athletics that showed two football players running around campus getting students to kick imaginary field goals. Chris took that video footage.

If you enjoy the Cub Cab videos as much as so many others do and you only think of me after watching, you now realize how unfair that is to Chris, who puts in so much time and talent to create the final product. Please brag about Chris and his great work. This is a team effort and he deserves to be recognized for going above and beyond to promote Kutztown University. Chris is a great talent for KU and I am happy to submit this Employee of the Month nomination for him."

Laurie McMillan, College of Liberal Arts and Science
"Chris consistently brings a positive attitude to campus events while sharing his skills and talents. I've viewed countless videos Chris has produced to market various parts of KU. His work is always top quality and presents the campus' beauty and the achievements of KU students, faculty and staff in ways that engage audiences.

I've also interacted with Chris when he comes to my office to take headshots of each of us, as well as group shots. He does this work with good humor and patience. He shares out the photos in a timely way afterward, and he encourages us to use the photos in ways that work for us. Chris is often quiet, but he shows up in all the ways that matter, with his ongoing excellent work speaking for itself."

Sarah Wallace, Sarah Wert and Pamela Reichert-Rex, President's Office
"Chris is a hard-working team player and talented multimedia director, whose dedication and creativity elevate every project he touches. He approaches every assignment with professionalism and a commitment to showcasing KU's very best. We can always rely on him to put his time, effort and diligence into every project with efficiency. Chris is also very generous with his time and talent. He consistently goes above and beyond to assist other departments and students, even in his spare time. His collaborative spirit and his genuine investment in helping students and his coworkers succeed are commendable.

Beyond his technical skills, Chris brings a calm, easygoing demeanor to situations that can often feel uncomfortable. Not everyone loves being on camera, but Chris' relaxed and friendly approach instantly puts people at ease, helping them feel confident and natural. Chris is an exceptional colleague whose professionalism, positivity and passion for his craft make him more than deserving of Employee of the Month."

Ally Larese, College of Business
"KU is extremely fortunate to have a photographer like Chris. He not only takes photographs, but he also captures moments, and in turn, ensures his student workers understand the difference. Chris is always willing to help, whether it be suggesting creative ideas, or trying everything he can to make sure there is coverage for the insane amount of important events here at KU. I feel like it would be an incredible moment for the man behind the camera to step out and, for once, earn a place in the spotlight, which he deserves for all his contributions to KU."

Tammy Wert, Academic Affairs
"Chris Sponagle is KU's storyteller, and he has an exceptional talent for capturing the essence of our campus life through his artistic and technical skills. The images he creates are not just pictures; they are the very face of KU in our marketing materials, web and social media platforms, and news stories. Chris' creativity is the driving force behind our visual storytelling. His award-winning work not only showcases the vibrancy and spirit of our university but also plays a vital role in connecting with our community.

But Chris' contributions don’t stop there. He is also genuinely committed to fostering the growth and development of our students. Through his dedication, he provides crucial career development opportunities by offering two to four student internships each year and working with a multitude of student workers. We are fortunate to have someone as talented as Chris on our team. His efforts are invaluable and his impact on both our university's image and our students' futures helps to make KU the place to be."

Nominations are collected from students, faculty and staff, and the Employee of the Month is selected by the Human Resources Advisory Council. A winner will be selected each month, and out of the 12 monthly winners one will be selected as Employee of the Year. The Employee of the Month will receive a plaque, reserved parking and a monetary gift.

For more information on the award or to nominate someone, please visit the KU human resources website.