Two New Trustees Appointed at Kutztown University
KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Phillips Armstrong ’71 and student Marshae Batchelor have been named Kutztown University’s newest additions to its Council of Trustees. Armstrong is a KU graduate and taught social studies in the Lehigh Valley for more than 40 years. Batchelor was selected as the student trustee and enters her senior year at KU.
Armstrong brought creativity and innovation to the classroom, ensuring that his students were always provided with real-world experiences, cutting-edge lessons and that they learned skills critical to their success as adults. Armstrong also served as the girls’ basketball coach in the Whitehall School District, where he fought to ensure that the school provided equal access to equipment and training facilities. He is a member of the Lehigh Valley Sports Hall of Fame and the Whitehall High School Hall of Fame.
During his time in the Whitehall School District, Armstrong rose to chair of the social studies department. He was also selected to serve as the secondary education chair for the Middle States Council on Social Studies, where he worked to develop a standardized exam for social studies.
Armstrong graduated from Kutztown University in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science in secondary education and a minor in social studies. He earned a Master of Education from KU in 1975. He remains an active member of his community, serves on the board of directors for the Whitehall Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Whitehall Lion’s Club. Armstrong continues to reside in Whitehall Township.
Batchelor, of Philadelphia, Pa., has been selected as the student trustee. She enters her senior year in 2020-21 as a double-major in social work and criminal justice and is a multiple Dean’s List honoree.
During her time at KU, Batchelor currently works as a community assistant for Housing and Residence Life, a campus tour guide for Admissions and as the head resident assistant for SMASH Wharton in Philadelphia. She has also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and the KUBok Neighborhood Watch.
Batchelor is involved in multiple university organizations. She is a mentor with the Act 101 program, a representative of the university’s Withdraw Prevention Team, the academic affairs chair of the Student Government Board and a member of the Social Work Advocates at Kutztown.
The Council of Trustees, the governing body of the university, is composed of an 11-member board, one of whom is an undergraduate student. Students are nominated by the Council of Trustees, reviewed by the chancellor and then confirmed by the governor. The student trustee is a full voting member.