Kutztown University senior Ashley Gatto is one of 11 students across the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education enrolled in The Harrisburg Internship Semester (THIS) this fall. THIS is a prestigious program that offers invaluable firsthand experience in state government. Gatto will earn 15 credits toward her major while gaining invaluable experience working and living at the state capitol. Originally from Dingmans Ferry, Pa., Gatto is a 2016 graduate of Delaware Valley High School. Currently majoring in public administration at Kutztown University, she has earned the internship position within the state department of Environmental Protection. "A critical part of the State System's mission is to prepare students to be leaders in their communities and the Commonwealth," State System chancellor Dan Greenstein said. "Students who participate in THIS receive an unforgettable experience, making a direct contribution to workings of state government." More than 600 students from the State System universities have participated in THIS since the program began in 1989, each gaining valuable insight into the workings of state government at the policy-making level. Interns have worked with dozens of state agencies, as well as in the offices of the governor, the speaker of the House of Representatives and the attorney general. State System students interested in participating in THIS in a future semester may obtain information on the program by contacting their individual campus coordinator or their university's cooperative or internship office, or by calling the Dixon University Center at 717-720-4089. More information on the program can be found at: www.passhe.edu/this.

Two Kutztown University physics majors, Anna Faretty and Gerald Curran, presented original research at the 50th annual meeting of the APS Division of Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Their research was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for Dr. Kunal K. Das as well as a URC grant for Faretty. Based on this work, they are currently writing a manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal.

Kutztown University will have 17 student-athletes representing its women's bowling team for the 2019-2020 season. KU was ranked seventh in the National Tenpin Coaches Association Division II/III Preseason Poll, which was recently released by the organization. The Golden Bears head into their new season under the direction of first-year head coach Angela Reynolds, who joined the team in August. Kutztown went 74-57 last season with eight wins over teams in the NTCA National Top 25, including four in the top 10. The Maroon and Gold reached the sixth round of the East Coast Conference Championship in March. KU opens the 2019-20 season this coming Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 12-13, with the Bud Whitman Memorial at Berks Lanes in Sinking Spring.

Kutztown University has announced its student members of the 2019 Homecoming Court. Winners will be announced at halftime of KU's homecoming football game, 2:05 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26, at Andre Reed Stadium. Finalists for Homecoming Queen are Karlie Doyle, Ashley Lipari, Natalie Perkowski, Emily Rudderow, Alyssa Sheldon, Victoria Tennyson and Xiomara Toledo. Finalists for Homecoming King are Cameron Crisologo, Noah Hartley, Braden Hudak, Jacob Khalife, Robert McGowan, Matthew Miller and Patrick Moyer.

The Kutztown University softball team had eight student-athletes recognized as 2019 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-America scholar-athletes. The eight student-athletes for the Golden Bears are second-most among Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East Division teams. The scholar-athletes include Erin Fortney, Tamara Jennings, Ava Bottiglia, Alyssa Donato, Alyssa Oakley, Kay Solderitch, Paola Texidor and Zoe Texidor. Kutztown as a team held a 3.36 GPA overall. More than 8,000 student-athletes (8,161), a first in NFCA history, were named 2019 Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes, the Association announced. The rankings and honors recognize the academic prowess of softball teams across the Association's membership categories. NCAA Division III led the way with 1,928 student-athletes earning a 3.5 grade-point average or higher for 2018-19. NCAA Division I and Division II followed with 1,769 and 1,306 honorees. High School weighted and High School unweighted earned 1,225 and 793 distinctions. NAIA and two-year programs each amassed 570 recipients.

Kutztown University and the Kutztown University Foundation have named 36 students as Presidential Ambassadors for the 2019-2020 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 www.kuf.org/alumni/presidential-ambassadors. 6.2.5

15 students from a variety of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York colleges have been selected to labor during this year's Labor Day weekend Writing Wrongs project. During a 72-hour workshop held in Berks County, the students, working as staff writers, photographers, designers and social media managers, will conduct research and interviews, draft articles and design pages for a printed book available for sale through national book sellers that highlights stories of members of the LGBTQ+ community, this year's Writing Wrongs topic. Among this year's participants is KU student Jamilee Hoffman of Chalfont, Pa., who will serve as the social media manager. Hoffman is a senior communication studies major at KU. Learn more about Hoffman at the Writing Wrongs website. "Hopefully, I'll be able to make a difference by getting certain issues spread throughout the media," Hoffman said. "This way, issues can reach to whoever they need to (such as a government officials) who will be able to create justice for those issues, even it is only in my surrounding town/community. That change could contribute to the overall change that is needed in the world." In its fifth year, Writing Wrongs - a community journalism project dedicated to generating awareness and promoting understanding of critical social issues - is the brain child of Dawn Heinbach, a Reading Area Community College and Kutztown University graduate. Heinbach's sophomore year honors project - to develop a community-based journalism workshop to share the stories of local people impacted by societal issues - has grown into a nonprofit organization that has produced one newspaper and three books on a variety of issues ranging from homelessness and addiction, to sexual and domestic abuse. In discussing the growth of Writing Wrongs, Heinbach said, "every year the program is expanding to include students from a wider radius. We have students from well-known, competitive schools volunteering their time and skills to explore these important issues as they pertain to the residents of Reading. The point to remember when looking at the book and videos they create is that the students accomplish all this in just one weekend." The LGBT Center of Greater Reading is partnering with Writing Wrongs this year, providing speakers and a space for interviews with members of the LGBT community whose stories will frame this year's book. Learn more about Writing Wrongs at www.seekreporttruth.com.

Kutztown University junior Vanessa Maybruck has been awarded the 2019 Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society (DAPi) for Individuals with Disabilities scholarship. Valued at $2,000, the scholarship rewards an active member of DAPi who has attended at least 80% of the chapter meetings, held office in the organization, organized or assisted with at least one event sponsored by the chapter, or served as a mentor to another student with a disability. Despite heavy competition and several strong candidates this year, Maybruck attained the highest score. The Kutztown University IOTA Chapter of DAPi was established at KU in 2007 and currently has 30 members. Members of DAPi serve as role models for other students with disabilities and can participate in mentoring, awareness programs and campus service projects. Linda Lantaff, director of Disability Services and advisor of IOTA DAPi, said, "We all are very proud of and excited for Vanessa." For more information about the Kutztown DAPi chapter, please visit their website. For more information about the scholarship, please visit the DAPi website.

Kutztown University is set to perform at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City. Presented by Distinguished Concerts in International New York (DCINY), the Kutztown Chamber Players will perform Mediterranean-inspired music by Greek composer Dinos Constantinides at 8 p.m., Monday, Sept. 30. Constantinides' work has been performed throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. KU will perform his work alongside members from the Louisiana State University School of Music. Kutztown University's own Chamber Players are conducted by KU orchestra director Dr. Peter Isaacson. Performing faculty members Dr. Maria Asteriadou and Kurt Nikkanen have given their students firsthand, real-world experience in preparing for this event. Alongside an array of international artists, Kutztown musicians shine in their involvement; their participation is a testament to the talent, skill and dedication at Kutztown University. "I hope this concert helps to raise awareness in musical circles that KU has an excellent music department where students are given outstanding musical training and exceptional experiences," Isaacson said. "I'm very excited to have the opportunity to perform in such an esteemed venue." The concert provides an opportunity to enrich students with real world experience. "This performance will give our students positive exposure to the professional world of performing - away from the academic setting at KU," Issacson said. "From this project, they have already grown from working with Professor Nikkanen and Professor Asteriadou. They will gain further insights from hearing other performers at this concert and the ways in which they approach the music of Constantinides."

Kutztown University has conferred degrees for nearly 1,300 students for the Spring 2019 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 spring 2019 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 listed multiple times have been awarded more than one degree.

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

Kutztown University inducted 12 students into the Sigma Pi Sigma Honor Society for physics at its induction ceremony this spring. Sigma Pi Sigma exists to honor outstanding scholarship in physics; to encourage interest in physics among students at all levels; to promote an attitude of service of its members towards their fellow students, colleagues, and the public; to provide a fellowship of persons who have excelled in physics. Sigma Pi Sigma's mission is not completed in the induction ceremony with the recognition of academic accomplishment. In the four dimensions of Honor, Encouragement, Service, and Fellowship, the mission of Sigma Pi Sigma takes a longer view.

Two Kutztown University students have been named as award recipients representing KU's Honors Program during this summer's Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) Honors Summer Study Abroad Program. Hosted by Bloomsburg University, junior anthropology major Kierra MacLeod and junior communication design major Morgan Nadin will visit various countries throughout Central Europe. During this year's trip, honors students from throughout the State System will be based at Jagiellonian University in Krakow, and visit sites in Poland, Budapest and the Czech Republic. Students will take classes in "The European Jewish Experience: A Sociocultural Perspective," "The History of Architecture" and "Introduction to Central and Eastern Europe." The summer 2018 Honors Study Abroad Trip was to Austria and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Students are selected for the PASSHE Summer Honors Study Abroad Program through a competitive application process every spring. Each student receives a full scholarship covering the cost of tuition, room and board, travel and required field trips to the selected destination that year. To be eligible to apply, a participant must be an undergraduate student at a PASSHE university and a member in good standing of the nominating institution's Honors Program. He or she must also have completed a minimum of 30 credits of coursework at a PASSHE school and must be returning to the nominating university the following fall.

More than 1,750 students have been named to the Spring 2019 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.

Governor Tom Wolf has named Uttam Paudel student trustee on the Kutztown University Council of Trustees. Paudel, of Kutztown, Pa., is a junior political science major and double economics and software development minor. Originally from Kathmandu, Nepal, he is fluent in four languages and well-versed in data analysis. During his time at KU, Paudel has presented at five conferences, represented Nepal and Kutztown at the UN World Youth Forum, made the Dean's List multiple times and received a KU BEARS grant to research the Twitter presence and influence of labor unions. He currently serves as a campus tour guide, KU Presidential Ambassador and Admissions liaison officer at the New Students Orientation office. "I am humbled by this great honor of representing Kutztown students and being their voice at the Council of Trustees," Paudel said. "Working closely with Admissions has informed me of what current students, prospective students and parents admire most about Kutztown, as well as what we can do better. My first priority is to use these perspectives in Council decisions to help boost our retention and enrollment rates. I intend to focus on plans that emphasize the efficiency and enhancement of campus resources so that we continue to provide excellent service to thousands of students." 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.

Destiny Fisher has been named the Kutztown University campus organizer for the national It's On Us campaign. Fisher, of Philadelphia, Pa., is a senior communication studies major with a minor in public relations. She has served as president of the Black Flame Dance Team and is a volunteer at the Kutztown University Women's Center and GLBTQ Resource Center. As a campus organizers, Fisher serves as a mentor and point of contact for It's On Us initiatives on the KU campus. She will establish individual goals and motivate campus constituencies to rally around addressing the issue of sexual violence.

The Career Development Center offers two career development certificates each year that helps students become stronger, more confident & successful students and future employees. The Freshman/Sophomore Exploration certificate allow students to gain a greater understanding of themselves and the career development process. The Junior/Senior Success certificate allows students to gain a greater understanding of themselves, employer expectations, effective job search strategies and interview skills,

Kutztown University has honored 21 students with the Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges award. Honorees were selected based upon criteria in the following categories: academic achievement, leadership involvement, commitment to volunteer efforts, and commitment to social action. Honorees must have a cumulative grade point average above a 3.25 and a minimum of 75 credits to be considered.