Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Three from 19th-ranked Kutztown University softball were voted All-Atlantic Region by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association for 2025. Emily Henn (Matamoras, Pa./Delaware Valley) earned First Team honors, while both Haley Gravish (Hamburg, Pa./Hamburg) and Morgan Slomkowski (Toms River, N.J./Toms River East) received Second Team accolades. This is the first season the Golden Bears (40-16 overall) have had any representatives on All-Region teams since the 2023 season. It's the first time each has been tabbed All-Region in their careers. The awards honor softball student-athletes from the Association's eight regions with first and second-team selections. NFCA member head coaches from each respective region nominated their student-athletes and voted for the teams. All the honorees are now eligible for selection to the 2025 NFCA Division II All-America squads. The 2025 NFCA Division II All-America teams will be announced Wednesday, May 21 at the NCAA Division II Championship Banquet in Chattanooga, Tenn. Henn, also a member of the All-PSAC First Team, is the first NFCA First-Teamer since 2022. She has started all 54 games she's played in this season. Her sophomore surge has led her to lead the team in several offensive categories, including batting average (.414), hits (77), runs (47) and total bases (113). Henn ranks third in the conference in hits, fourth in average and fifth in runs scored. She also has six HRs, four triples, 10 doubles and 33 RBIs. Gravish, an All-PSAC Second Teamer, has once again been the ace and work horse of the pitching staff in 2025. In 40 appearances, making 26 starts, she is 27-7 with a 2.49 ERA and one save in 205.0 innings. Her wins and innings pitched ranks second in the PSAC and ERA is seventh. Gravish currently ranks second in program history with 69 career wins. She also ranks second in appearances (120), third in innings pitched (594.0) and fifth strikeouts (423). Slomkowski, a Second Team All-PSAC third baseman, has started all 56 games this season. She ranks third on the team with a .321 batting average, including 50 hits, 11 doubles, 41 RBIs and 40 runs scored. Slomkowski's 12 home runs is tied for fourth in the PSAC and her .622 slugging percentage is a team-best.

Two sophomores on the Kutztown University baseball team were recognized on the 2025 All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East Division Second Team, as outfielder Bo Barthol (Breinigsville, Pa./Parkland) and designated hitter Jared Ferguson (Reinholds, Pa./Cocalico) each garnered the honors voted on by the head coaches. Barthol was a focal point of the offense in nearly every game this season, batting leadoff in all 47 games for the Golden Bears while hitting .354, the team's best mark among qualified hitters. His numbers rivaled the conference's best hitters, as the Breinigsville, Pa., native tallied 58 hits (7th in the PSAC) and 16 doubles (T-4th) in just his second season with the squad. Once on base, he was immediately looking to advance, stealing a team-high 22 bases that ranked fifth in the conference. Among the conference's designated hitters, Ferguson performed as well as the best of them. His .347 batting average was second among qualified hitters on the team, while he hit a team-best three home runs and drove in 33 RBIs to play a pivotal role in the team's offense in his first year with the team after transferring from Division III Moravian University. It is the first All-Conference honor for either player, while it marks the fifth straight season that at least one Golden Bear earned recognition from the PSAC. Head coach Eric Folmar has seen multiple All-PSAC honorees in half of his six seasons leading the Golden Bears, with 2021 and 2023 being the other such seasons. The Golden Bears concluded 2025 with high hopes for next season, as Barthol and Ferguson are both slated to return atop a young supporting cast that looks to take the next step forward as they set their eyes on the PSAC Championships.

Liquid, in partnership with Kutztown University, proudly announces the winners of the ninth annual Liquid Digital Marketing Award competition. This year's challenge, presented in collaboration with Insomnia Cookies, tasked student teams with developing innovative digital marketing campaigns to boost awareness and sales of the brand's Cookie'wich menu item. The winning team, comprising seniors Nicholas Bodon, a marketing major from Stroudsburg, Pa., Bridget Curtis, a marketing major from Warrington, Pa., Amanda Gravatt, a marketing major from Perkasie, Pa., Jacob Sopko, a marketing major from Emmaus, Pa., and Katelyn Stuhldreher, a marketing major from Bath, Pa., impressed the panel with their comprehensive strategy, creative execution and insightful analysis. Their campaign stood out for its originality and practical application, earning them the top honor and a monetary prize. "We're continually impressed by the creativity and professionalism these students bring to the table," said Emily Massaro, vice president of marketing at Liquid. "This competition not only showcases emerging talent but also strengthens our ongoing relationship with the university." Each year, Liquid partners with an exciting brand to serve as the "client" and present Kutztown University students with a real-world marketing challenge. Students first submit a written campaign plan, outlining goals, target audiences, campaign channels and measurement strategies. Three finalist teams, selected by university faculty, advance to the final round to present their campaigns to a panel of experts from Liquid and the client. This year's collaboration with Insomnia Cookies, a popular bakery chain known for serving warm, freshly baked cookies and ice cream late night, provided students with a unique opportunity to work on a campaign for a nationally recognized brand. Senior Lifecycle Marketing Manager Kelsey Tschoepe, representing Insomnia Cookies, served as a guest judge, offering valuable industry insights during the evaluation process. The Liquid Digital Marketing Award competition exemplifies the synergy between academia and industry, preparing students for successful careers in marketing and beyond. Liquid has an established relationship with Kutztown University. Led by CEO Jim Ludlow, member of KU's Council of Trustees, Liquid has many Kutztown University alumni among its team and Liquid's internship program has seen several Kutztown University students across all its departments. About Liquid Liquid is a marketing agency specializing in creative, digital marketing, and technology. Through our services, we work with motivated B2B and B2C organizations to deliver exceptional marketing and measure its impact while maneuvering through a constant sea of change.

Kutztown University student Jean Kiklikian Herrera (piano) was honored by the Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association as part of its performance and composition competition winners.

Two Kutztown University students earned the KU Undergraduate Research Series microcredentialing badge during Spring 2025. The badge is awarded to students who dedicate their time to learning about the transformational impact of undergraduate research to academic success and career readiness.

Congratulations to the seven Kutztown University students presenting their geological research success at the annual international Geological Society of America meeting in Pittsburgh, Pa. this week. - Dr. Adrienne Oakley, Gabriella DeMarco (Marine Sciences) and Hannah Cutshaw (Biology) studied sands and mud deposited in the Chesapeake Bay to characterize changes in the environment during the past 20,000 years (after the last ice age). - Dr. Ed Simpson and Alayna Rea (Environmental Sciences-Geology) described a preserved termite mound from the Jurassic dinosaur period. - Dr. Ed Simpson, Jaylin Calistro (Geography and Geology), Jamie Cook (Geology), Joshua Scherer (Geology), Garrett Rogers (Geology) and Dakota Pittinger (Geology) studied microscopic features that help future paleontologists interpret the fate of dinosaur eggs - distinguishing between the different characteristics of eggshells fossilized after immediate burial, delayed burial and transport in a stream before fossilization. These studies were conducted using the Fred and Martha Hafer Scanning Electron Microscope Lab. Dr. Kurt Friehauf helped when he could.

The Department of Psychology at Kutztown University hosted its annual Psi Chi Induction Ceremony Wednesday, April 16, 2025. The ceremony honored 31 new members, who were inducted into Psi Chi, The International Honor Society in Psychology. Psi Chi is the International Honor Society for psychology majors, with chapters around the globe. University students majoring or minoring in psychology and with a minimum of 3.0 GPA are eligible to join Psi Chi. Since 1992, the KU Chapter of Psi Chi has held events and biweekly meetings for its members and other psychology students. Anyone is welcome to attend the meetings, where topics typically center around psychological research and graduate school. Psi Chi offers its new and ongoing members support programs for undergraduate, graduate, and faculty. Assistance with research projects and educational opportunities are available with membership. Members also receive valuable career resources and networking opportunities.

The Psychology Department at Kutztown University hosted its annual Psi Chi Induction and Student Awards Ceremony April 16, 2025. The ceremony honored seven Department Student Award Winners. The Psychology Department awarded five seniors and two juniors with departmental awards based on their individual achievements within the fields of Research, Fieldwork, Internships, Leadership, GPA, and Service.

Kutztown University inducted 35 students into the Chi Omega Upsilon chapter of the Chi Sigma Iota Honor Society for counseling at its induction ceremony this spring. Chi Sigma Iota is an international honor society for counseling students, professional counselors, and counselor educators. The society was established in 1985 by counseling professionals in the State of Ohio. Chi Sigma Iota's mission is to promote recognition to those in the counseling profession who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, research, and clinical practice. The members are dedicated to the counseling profession and the advancement of the profession. The Chi Omega Upsilon Chapter was a new Charter Chapter organized in 2017, with Deborah L. Duenyas, Ph.D. as chapter faculty advisor. Membership Eligibility for membership is extended only to those students at Kutztown University in the Counselor Education program who have completed nine credits and have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better.

Four Kutztown University football players were among a record number of members named to the 2025 National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society. The Hampshire Honor Society recognizes college football players from all divisions of the NCAA, NAIA and sprint football who maintained a cumulative 3.2 GPA or better throughout their college careers. Kutztown's four selections are linebacker/special teams Cady Clancy, linebacker Jalen DeVose (Lansdale, Pa./La Salle College H.S.), tight end/long snapper Nick Lovenguth (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown East) and offensive lineman Trey Quinones (York, Pa./William Penn). A record 2,514 players from 339 schools qualified for membership in 2025, marking the largest class in the program's 19-year history. Since its inception, the initiative has honored 20,928 student-athletes. This year's members represented six divisions: 689 from the FBS, 531 from the FCS, 212 from Division II, 978 from Division III, 58 from the NAIA, and 46 sprint football players. They hailed from schools in every state and the District of Columbia-except Alaska, which does not sponsor an eligible college football program. The FBS cohort came from 120 schools, reflecting a 90 percent participation rate. Honorees are nominated by their respective schools and must be a senior player that completed their final year of eligibility during the 2024 season or be a graduate player/transfer who has already earned a bachelor's degree and competed during the 2024 season. Players must attain a 3.2 undergraduate GPA on a 4.0 scale and be starters or contributors throughout the 2024 season. Kutztown's four 2025 NFF Hampshire Honor Society members have helped the Golden Bears to three PSAC East titles, three PSAC Championship game victories and three NCAA DII Championship playoff appearances over the last four seasons. KU won its first-ever Super Region One championship in 2023 and advanced to the NCAA DII national semifinals. During their careers, the quartet also helped the Bears to a 42-9 overall record and 26-2 record in the PSAC, which included unbeaten 7-0 campaigns in 2021, 2023 and 2024.

Kutztown University has conferred degrees for 414 students for the 2024 fall semester and 2025 winter session. Kutztown University announces degree conferment twice a year, once in the winter and once in the summer. Commencement exercises are held in May and December; however, students finish the requirements for graduation throughout the entire year. The cumulative grade point average necessary for honors distinction is: with honor (cum laude) 3.40; with high honor (magna cum laude) 3.60 and with highest honor (summa cum laude) 3.80. Students who have requested privacy (FERPA) are not listed publicly.

Kutztown University has conferred degrees for nearly 1,100 students for the 2024 spring semester. Kutztown University announces degree conferment twice a year, once in the winter and once in the summer. Commencement exercises are held in May and December; however, students finish the requirements for graduation throughout the entire year. The following students have been awarded degrees following the 2024 spring semester. The cumulative grade point average necessary for honors distinction is: with honor (cum laude) 3.40; with high honor (magna cum laude) 3.60 and with highest honor (summa cum laude) 3.80. Students who have requested privacy (FERPA) are not listed publicly.

2,179 students have been named to the Fall 2024 Dean's List at Kutztown University. To be eligible for the Dean's List, an undergraduate student must be registered for at least 12 credits and have a minimum grade point average of 3.60.

1,990 students have been named to the Spring 2024 Dean's List at Kutztown University. To be eligible for the Dean's List, an undergraduate student must be registered for at least 12 credits and have a minimum grade point average of 3.60.

Kutztown University is pleased to welcome the newest members of the Golden Bear family, including both new incoming freshmen and transfer students, for the upcoming 2024 fall semester.

Kutztown University is pleased to welcome the newest members of the Golden Bear family, including both new incoming freshmen and transfer students, for the upcoming 2023 fall semester.

Kutztown University's Jazz Ensemble I has been honored by the DownBeat Magazine Student Music Awards with the Outstanding Performance Award in the category of Undergraduate Jazz Ensemble College Performance. The DownBeat Student Music Awards recognize the top jazz ensembles at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Nine judges evaluate the participating groups based on several performance criteria including overall sound, proper interpretation, improvisation, creativity, intonation, phrasing and dynamics. The honorees are selected from a competitive pool in which winners must demonstrate a distinct voice in addition to technical proficiency. The DownBeat Student Music Awards are considered the most prestigious awards in jazz education. Since its founding in 1976, hundreds of musicians, music educators and music industry professionals received their first international recognition as DownBeat Student Music Award winners. This is the 10th win for the KU Commercial Music program but the first for the Jazz Ensemble. Other winners in this category were Vanderbilt University and University of the Arts in Philadelphia.

Kutztown Universty students in the Department of Communication Design won awards at the 2022 Graphis New Talent Annual Showcase.

Kutztown University awarded its Unpaid Internship Scholarships to 10 students for this year. The Unpaid Internship Scholarship provides a student, who otherwise may not be able to complete an internship due to financial reasons, a scholarship to assist with financial needs (i.e., transportation, food). Students must have a 3.0 or higher GPA and submit an application, essay and a letter of recommendation.

Congratulations to Tammy Starner Wert M'23, executive assistant to the vice president of University Relations and Athletics, for being named the Assistant to the Provost for General Education. Tammy's new appointment will be effective Monday, Nov. 6. Tammy has served the division of University Relations and Athletics for more than eight years and has been with the university since 2007. She has been the lead point of contact for the Daily Brief and university operators, among other duties. Wert earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania.

The Kutztown University Marching Unit (KUMU), an energetic part of the campus community, provides music, marching and entertainment for all KU Golden Bears football games, select away games, marching band festivals/competitions, professional sporting events, parades and campus spirit building activities. Under the direction of professor Daniel Neuenschwander, KUMU has announced its 2023 roster.

Kutztown University and the Kutztown University Foundation have named 15 students as Presidential Ambassadors for the 2023-2024 school year. Founded in 1997, the Presidential Ambassadors is a Kutztown University student organization that works directly with the President's Office and the Kutztown University Foundation and Alumni Relations. The mission of the group is to support events that connect current students with alumni, faculty, staff and university friends, to act as ambassadors of the university and to create new traditions which enhance KU Pride. The Presidential Ambassadors' major fundraiser is the Tuition Sweepstakes. The winner of the sweepstakes is awarded one semester of in-state tuition to Kutztown University. Proceeds from the sweepstakes benefit ambassador programs and Kutztown University, including support of Dinner with Golden Bears, Grin and Bear It, Professional Headshots for KU Juniors and Senior, Love a Donor Week, Ladies Tea Scholarship, General Fund Scholarship, Play for Kay, Wounded Warrior 5k Race, campus and community wide events as well as many other events geared towards philanthropic efforts. The organization strives to build philanthropy and stewardship with the Kutztown University community. Learn more at https://www.kuf.org/alumni/kupa.

42 juniors and seniors at Kutztown University have completed a Career Success Certificate for the Spring 2023 semester. The Career Success Certificate is open to all juniors and seniors. Students gain a greater understanding of themselves, employer expectations, effective job search strategies, interviewing skills and the role of social media in the hiring process. They will also be better prepared to conduct the internship, job, or graduate school search.

Kutztown University has issued Career Exploration Certificates to 68 students for the 2023 spring semester. The Career Exploration Certificate is open to all freshmen and sophomore students. Students gain a greater understanding of themselves and the career development process. They will be better prepared to choose/confirm a major, research careers, gain related experience through informational interviewing and job shadowing experiences, and plan for a successful internship/professional job or graduate school search.

Six students from Kutztown University will attend The Washington Center's Academic Internship Program this summer, the most KU students in one session to date. The Washington Center is the largest and most established student internship program in Washington, D.C. Since its founding, The Washington Center helped more than 60,000 young people translate their college majors into career paths. KU students include: Elizabeth Kolb, Phoenixville, Pa. Olive Mulbah, East Lansdowne, Pa. Emily Prior, Fogelsville, Pa. Makayla Pfister, Schwenksville, Pa. Paula Guarderas, Pottstown, Pa. Lismeylin Feliz Medrano, Reading, Pa. The Washington Center's Academic Internship Program is composed of three components - internship, academic course and career readiness programming - each designed to help students translate their academic and professional interests into careers they love.

This spring, two students from Kutztown University participated in The Washington Center (TWC)'s first Cybersecurity Accelerator Program, including Adam Frederick, a sophomore, computer science major from Exeter, Pa.; and Delijah Joseph, a junior, information technology major from Mount Pocono, Pa. This program was designed to engage historically marginalized learners with career exploration, mentorship and networking in the fastest growing and rewarding field of cybersecurity. Thanks to scholarships provided by select states along with private donors, this program was available at no cost to students. Participants were invited to join The Cyber Guild for a digital Cyber Discovery Experience and to travel to Washington, D.C. for a Cybersecurity Bootcamp Weekend. As part of this weekend experience, students heard from representatives from The White House, United States Cyber Command, CISA (among others) and were able to network with over 35 employers. They also had the opportunity to tour the Verizon Tech and Policy Center and AWS Skills Center. See photos of the bootcamp here. Through this program, many participants were also selected for a virtual micro-internship by a cybersecurity employer, where they received a financial stipend, worked with an employer supervisor and gained access to Teach to Work trained project-based mentorship. About The Washington Center The Washington Center is the largest and most established student internship program in Washington, D.C. Since our founding, we've helped more than 60,000 young people translate their college majors into career paths. We use our scale and expertise to customize each student's experience to be truly transformative. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn.