Kutztown University women's soccer and head coach Erik Burstein have announced rising seniors Savanna Harrison and Sam LaBianca, along with junior Kayla Argen as team captains for the upcoming 2020 season. The trio of Golden Bears are all first-year skippers. Over the last three years, they have helped lead the Golden Bears to a ton of success, including earning a berth in the NCAA Tournament and Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament in two of the last three seasons. KU has played in NCAAs in eight of the last 11 years and has qualified for PSACs in 11 of the last 12 seasons. "The entire coaching staff is very excited to announce that Sav, Sam and Kayla will lead our women's soccer program moving forward," said Burstein. "In the past we have always waited until late spring to announce our team captains, but these three student-athletes are not only ready to take on a leadership role, but their uncompromising commitment to the program, their strong belief in our culture and the standards and expectations they have for themselves and their teammates are exactly what we need this spring, and moving forward." Harrison had a breakout junior season in the midfield last season, seemingly a magnet on the ball on both sides of the field. She played and started in 17 of the 18 games this season as a center midfielder. The Perkasie native may not have the flashy numbers in the statistical categories, but her importance to head coach Erik Burstein and both the KU offense and defense could not be underestimated. Harrison has one goal in her career, tallied last season, and has played in 53 career games. She will be back next year as a senior to help solidify the midfield. Harrison received her first postseason accolade in 2019, earning All-PSAC Second Team recognition. In the classroom, Harrison is a PSAC Scholar-Athlete and a member of the Dean's List. LaBianca made a shift around the field this past season. After predominantly playing in a midfield role her first two seasons in Maroon and Gold, the Beachwood, N.J., native played most of 2020 in the center of the KU defense. LaBianca started a career-high 15 games and played in 17 overall last season, finishing with six shots, three of which were on goal. In the classroom, LaBianca is a PSAC Scholar-Athlete and a member of the Dean's List. Argen once again played a prominent role in the midfield for Kutztown in 2019. She started a career-high 17 games and played in all 18. Argen finished the year with three goals and tied a career-best with five assists for 11 points. Her five assists led the team. In the classroom, Argen is a PSAC Scholar-Athlete and a member of the Dean's List. The Golden Bears finished the 2019 campaign at 11-7 overall and now has won 10 or more games in 18 straight seasons.

Kutztown University business administration and marketing senior Xena Karalis of Royersford, Pa., was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from Tau Sigma National Honor Society. Karalis is the current president of KU's Eta Mu chapter of Tau Sigma and the second KU student to date to receive a scholarship from Tau Sigma. Tau Sigma National Honor Society is a co-ed academic fraternity designed exclusively for transfer students. Their mission is to recognize and promote the academic excellence and involvement of transfers students. Tau Sigma sponsors an annual scholarship competition with awards totaling $100,000. Karalis transferred to KU from the University of Kansas. As an academic fraternity, Tau Sigma focuses on academics first. The scholarship rewards members who are dedicated to both the organization and their studies. "My mom encouraged me to transfer to Kutztown University as a better fit. She has always pushed me with encouragement. Tau Sigma has helped guide me to my success. The unique faculty and my peers that I've met through the business and marketing program have made me fall back in love with business," Karalis said. Karalis has been highly involved in recruitment and outreach efforts for the chapter. As a cancer survivor who lost her father to the same disease, Karalis was once told it was not likely she would make it to college. She is set to graduate in May, already employed by her own startup company. Partnered with family, Karalis' business produces hemp for CBD healthcare products. Participating in a progressive and growing medical field, she wants to help others recover and live without the pain and side-effects of cancer treatments and other treatable illnesses. "There was a time that I thought my future would be dark, but now it's nothing but light," Karalis said of her future. "I feel I am a part of something that is important to my success." For more information regarding Tau Sigma or other Kutztown University fraternal organizations, contact the KU chapter of Tau Sigma at tausigmaku@gmail.com or KU Greek Life coordinator Amanda Garcia at agarcia@kutztown.edu.

Kutztown University cinema, television and media production student Nicholas Lipari and professor Michael Johnston attended the 36th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival in January. Lipari was one of 30 students selected from across the country for the SBIFF Film Studies Program - a three-day symposium dedicated to film appreciation, criticism and analysis. Lipari attended panels, screenings, meet and greets and awards ceremonies. He listened to Oscar-nominated screenwriters, producers and directors, like David O'Russell, Greta Gerwig and Adam Driver, talk about their careers and creative processes. https://sbiff.org/education/film-studies-program/

More than 1,770 students have been named to the Fall 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.

85 Kutztown University students have been inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) as part of the December 2019 class. To be inducted at KU, students must attend an orientation, a three-hour leadership training seminar, three success networking team meetings and three speaker broadcasts featuring leading figures delivering success-related messages to members.

Students from the Special Education Program on Visual Impairments paired with the Vision Resource Center of Berks County to host a Dine in the Dark at the Crowne Plaza in Reading Sept. 26. More than 215 people in the community attended the event. Kutztown University students in the vision program planned activities to raise awareness of visual impairments and taught patrons how to eat without vision. Watch the WFMZ news story here.

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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,