Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

The Kutztown University softball team had 11 representatives on the 2025 Easton/National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America Scholar-Athlete list. The Golden Bears who earned the status include Naya Darnowski (Manchester, N.J./Manchester Township), Taylor Gearhart (Newtown, Pa./Council Rock North), Kristin Geesey (Bainbridge, Pa./Elizabethtown), Haley Gravish (Hamburg, Pa./Hamburg), Emily Henn (Matamoras, Pa./Delaware Valley), Grace Kindel (Greensburg, Pa./Greensburg Central Catholic), Annabelle Knese (Havertown, Pa./Haverford), Allyson Koerner (Clayton, N.J./Clayton), Jenna Piatkiewicz (Fogelsville, Pa./Parkland), Morgan Slomkowski (Toms River, N.J./Toms River East) and Alexa Stevens (Jefferson Township, Pa./North Pocono). Kutztown recorded an overall team cumulative GPA of 3.404. The 11 student-athletes who were honored by the NFCA qualified for the award by earning at least a 3.50 GPA in the 2024-25 academic year. These Maroon and Gold student-athletes did not just excel in the classroom last year, but also on the diamond, as they finished the 2025 campaign 43-19 overall, the most victories in a season since 2012. KU also advanced to NCAA Atlantic Super Regionals for the second straight season and third in the last four, and also qualified for NCAAs for the fifth consecutive year.

Kutztown University has conferred degrees for nearly 1,200 students for the 2025 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.

For the fourth year in-a-row under head coach Kristen Nicholson, Kutztown University women's lacrosse earned Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Academic Honor Squad accolades, as well as eight members landing on the Academic Honor Roll. The Golden Bears were among 383 programs at the NCAA Division I, Division II Division III and NAIA to be named an IWLCA Academic Honor Squad. To qualify for the prestigious honor, the team must have posted a 3.2 grade point average or higher for the entire 2024-25 academic year. The eight Golden Bears on the honor roll include Brynn Axe (Landisville, Pa./Hempfield), Marisa Bragg (Ringoes, N.J./Hunterdon Central), Kayla Brooks (Mountville, Pa./Hempfield), Olivia Eilbacher (Cherry Hill, N.J./Camden Catholic), Rowan Hall (Sloatsburg, N.Y./Suffern), Sam Graf (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills), Rory Nilsen (Lansdale, Pa./Pope John Paul II) and Katie Yocum (Hanover, Pa./South Western). To be eligible for this honor, student-athletes must be a junior, senior, or graduate student and have earned a cumulative academic GPA of 3.50 or greater.

Three members of the Kutztown University women's tennis team have been announced as Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Scholar-Athletes for the 2024-25 academic year. Junior Ryleigh Bohning (Kutztown, Pa./Kutztown), freshman Isabela de Nadai (Vitoria, Brazil/St. Paul's School) and senior Emma Semery (Fuveau, France/HDN Academy) made up the contingent of Golden Bears recognized. Each student-athlete is a first-time ITA Scholar-Athlete. ITA Scholar-Athletes must achieve a 3.5 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale during the current academic year. A total of 705 women's tennis student-athletes from NCAA Division II received ITA Scholar-Athlete honors this season.

The Kutztown University men's tennis team claimed All-Academic Team honors from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) for the 2024-25 academic year, while six Golden Bears were named ITA Scholar-Athletes. KU was one of 76 NCAA Division II programs across the nation to earn All-Academic Team distinction. It's the second consecutive year that the Maroon and Gold have been recognized. All-Academic Teams must carry a team grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale. ITA Scholar-Athletes must achieve a 3.5 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale during the current academic year. Kutztown's honorees for the 2024-25 season were Lucas Cherniak (Buenos Aires, Argentina/Escuela Superior de Comercio Carlos Pellegrini), Dang Nguyen (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam/), Joaquin Perez (Pachuca, Mexico/Escuela Americana), Emmitt Robinson (Ingersoll, Ontario/Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute), Henrique Rocha (Jaticua, Brazil/Escola SEB Maceio) and Linus Vennekold (Laatzen, Germany/). Cherniak and Robinson are three-time ITA Scholar-Athletes, while Nguyen and Rocha became two-time selections. Perez and Vennekold are first-time honorees.

Omari Banks (Middletown, Del./The Phelps School (Pa.)) of the Kutztown University men's basketball team was among more than 2,400 players nationwide recognized on the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Honors Court for the 2024-25 academic year. The NABC Honors Court consists of junior, senior and graduate student men's basketball players who finished the 2024-25 year with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 or higher. Banks, a junior last season, has a 3.60 GPA while pursuing a degree in business administration with a management concentration. The Wilmington, Del., native is heading into his second season with the Golden Bears in 2025-26 after spending his first two seasons at Goldey-Beacom College. The NABC's academic awards are presented annually to teams and athletes from all levels of college basketball.

Kutztown University athletics recognizes 237 student-athletes on the 2024-25 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference's scholar-athlete list. The 237 Golden Bears account for 54% of the department. This year also marks the sixth year in a row that the Golden Bears have eclipsed the 200 honoree mark. In order to be eligible for PSAC Scholar-Athlete honors, student-athletes must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25. The conference instituted a new policy last year, honoring athletes meeting the academic requirement in only PSAC sponsored sports. This change directly affected Kutztown's acrobatics & tumbling and women's bowling teams, which do not compete under the PSAC banner. Acrobatics & tumbling is part of the National Collegiate Acrobatics & Tumbling Association (NCATA) and does not have a conference affiliation, while women's bowling is an associate member of the East Coast Conference (ECC). Bowlers are eligible to be named to the ECC Commissioner's Honor Roll, which is usually released in late July. The 2024-25 PSAC Scholar-Athlete total of 3,922 (54% of the entire PSAC student-athlete population) marks the 10th consecutive year the PSAC has awarded at least 40% of its student-athlete population with "Scholar-Athlete" status. 11 institutions increased their total number of PSAC Scholar-Athletes in 2024-25 compared to the previous year. See the full list online.

Kutztown University men's and women's track and field was well represented on the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District teams, as five each and 10 total were announced to the 2025 teams. The men's representatives consisted of Adam Brocato (Reisterstown, Md./Calvert Hall), Michael Fellin (Sheppton, Pa./Marian Catholic), Nate Schaeffer (Mohrsville, Pa./Schuylkill Valley), TJ White (Reading, Pa./Muhlenberg) and Steele Wrigley (Coatesville, Pa./Octorara). The women's representatives consisted of Delaney Beard (Sinking Spring, Pa./Governor Mifflin), Jaelyn D'Amelio (Manahawkin, N.J./Southern Regional), Mackey Donovan (Blauvelt, N.Y./Tappan Zee), Sophia Knerr (Columbia, N.J./North Warren Regional) and Beth Schearer (Springfield, Pa./Springfield). The Academic All-District Teams recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined athletic and academic excellence. The CSC Academic All-America program separately recognizes men's track & field/cross country honorees in four divisions - NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA. To be eligible for inclusion on the Academic All-District Team, student-athletes must have reached sophomore academic and athletic status, hold a 3.50 cumulative grade point average or higher and finish in the top 50 at a NCAA regional cross country championship or rank in the top 50 of an individual track & field event based on TFRRS regional rankings. Schools are allowed a maximum of five male and five female nominations in track & field/cross country. Brocato, a native of Reisterstown, Md., captured a 26th place finish at the 2024 NCAA DII Atlantic Region Cross Country Championships with a 10k time of 31:17.2. The junior business administration major with concentrations in accounting and finance holds a 3.70 GPA. Brocato ranked in the top 50 in the Atlantic Region in two track events: the indoor mile (21st) and outdoor 1500m (23rd). Fellin, a junior from Sheppton, Pa., posted the top time in the Atlantic Region in the indoor 60m dash with a school and PSAC championship meet record 6.65. A criminal justice major with a 3.56 GPA, Fellin went on to earn All-America Second Team honors with a 12th place finish at the 2025 NCAA DII Indoor Championships. He also ranked 20th in the indoor 200m and 32nd in the outdoor 100m. Schaeffer, a senior secondary education (mathematics) major, registered a 3.78 GPA. The senior from Mohrsville, Pa., held the seventh best mark in the Atlantic Region in the indoor pole vault, clearing 4.58m (15'0.25"). He also ranked 13th in the region in the outdoor pole vault at 4.50m (14'9). White, from Reading, Pa., captured top five rankings in the Atlantic Region in both the indoor and outdoor high jump. A senior business administration (finance) major with a 3.55 GPA, White posted a best jump of 2.04m (6'8.25") to rank fourth indoors and a 2.05m (6'8.75") to rank fifth outdoors. Wrigley is a sophomore business administration (accounting) major with a 3.92 GPA. The Coatesville, Pa., native ranked within the top 50 of the Atlantic Region in four sprint events: the indoor 400m (29th), indoor 200m (43rd), outdoor 400m (30th) and outdoor 200m (32nd). Fellin advanced to the Academic All-America ballot, where he'll be up for First-, second- or third-team consideration. Academic All-America Teams will be announced in mid-July. Beard, a Sinking Spring, Pa., native, is currently pursuing her master's degree in business administration and holds a 3.96 GPA. She previously received a graduate certificate in leadership from KU and attained a perfect 4.00 GPA while earning her bachelor's degree in biochemistry at Clarion University. Beard ranked within the top 10 of the Atlantic Region in both the indoor and outdoor triple jump. She recorded the region's eighth-best jump outdoors at 11.90m (39'0.5") and ninth-best jump indoors at 11.69m (38'4.25"). She also ranked 28th in the outdoor long jump. D'Amelio, a graduate student from Manahawkin, N.J., is enrolled in the school counseling master's program at KU, where she has a 4.00 GPA. She graduated summa cum laude from Kutztown with a bachelor's degree in psychology in May of 2024. D'Amelio ranked 10th in the Atlantic Region in the indoor 3000m with a time of 10:14.39. She also ranked 11th in the outdoor 5000m and 31st in both the indoor mile and outdoor 10,000m. Donovan, a junior psychology major from Blauvelt, N.Y., has a 3.50 GPA. The mid-distance standout recorded the region's ninth-fastest time in the indoor 800m with a 2:18.08. She ranked 24th in the outdoor 800m and 43rd in the outdoor 1500m. Knerr, from Columbia, Md., met qualifications for the Academic All-District Team in both cross country and track & field. The senior social work major with an unblemished 4.00 GPA, turned in the Atlantic Region's third-fastest 3000m steeplechase time of 11:20.17. She ranked in the top 20 of the region in the indoor 5000m (13th), outdoor 5000m (13th) and indoor 3000m (19th). Knerr, the 2025 PSAC Outdoor Track & Field Champion Scholar, also placed 41st at last fall's NCAA DII Atlantic Region Cross Country Championships with a 6k time of 22:23.3. Schearer, a sophomore from Springfield, Pa., is majoring in business administration with a 3.60 GPA. She ranked in the top 25 of the region in three events and top 50 in four. Schearer was 18th in the indoor 200m and 19th in the outdoor 200m. She posted the 25th-best time in the outdoor 400m and ranked 45th in the outdoor 100m. Knerr moved forward onto the Academic All-America ballot by virtue of her standout athletic and academic accolades. Academic All-America First-, second- and third-team honorees will be announced in mid-July.

Kutztown University women's bowling had nine members that earned a place on the 2025 East Coast Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll. Kamryn Brenneman (York, Pa./Central York), Natalie Conrad (Wyoming, Pa./Dallas), Megan Hanaway (Forked River, N.J./Lacey Township), Brooke Heimbach (Boyertown, Pa./Boyertown), Kayla Mackney (Burlington, N.J./Burlington Township), Marissa Magill (Alburtis, Pa./Emmaus), Miranda Pielhau (Waretown, N.J./Southern Regional), Ally Sipe (York, Pa./Central York) and Riley Sternik (Island Heights, N.J./Central Regional) all were recognized on the list. The Commissioner's Honor Roll is awarded to student-athletes who receive a 3.25 or better cumulative grade point average. This annual recognition, in addition to the conference's Scholar-Athlete awards, helps to uphold the East Coast Conference's mission of promoting the total person and the ability to excel not only in the athletic arena, but also in the classroom. Kutztown finished with a 64-45 overall record and won its first ever conference championship last season.

The Kutztown University women's bowling team earned All-Academic Scholar Team honors for the 2024-25 season, while nine Golden Bear student-athletes were named All-Academic Scholar-Athletes by the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA). To qualify for the NTCA All-Academic Scholar Team award, programs must have maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 or higher during the 2024-25 academic year. Kutztown posted a 3.306 GPA, exemplifying a strong commitment to excellence on the lanes and in the classroom. Spearheading Kutztown's academic efforts were nine bowlers who qualified for All-Academic Scholar-Athlete honors. Golden Bears recognized included Kamryn Brenneman (York, Pa./Central York), Natalie Conrad (Wyoming, Pa./Dallas), Megan Hanaway (Forked River, N.J./Lacey Township), Kayla Mackney (Burlington, N.J./Burlington Township), Marissa Magill (Alburtis, Pa./Emmaus), Miranda Pielhau (Waretown, N.J./Southern Regional), Meghan Ripley (Bel Air, Md./Fallston), Ally Sipe (York, Pa./Central York) and Riley Sternik (Island Heights, N.J./Central Regional). NTCA Scholar-Athletes must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.4 during the academic year. Kutztown won its first East Coast Conference championship in 2025 and qualified for the NCAA Championship tournament for the first time since 2011. The Golden Bears finished with a 64-45 overall record.

2,193 students have been named to the Spring 2025 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.

Brooke Graham of the Kutztown University women's golf team captured her second straight All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) First Team honor when the conference office announced its 2024-25 major award winners and all-conference teams. Graham led the Golden Bears with a 79.36 average over 14 rounds and 10 events this past season. The sophomore from Carlisle, Pa., won the Gettysburg Fall Invitational back on Sept. 29, 2024, while finishing runner-up at the Elizabethtown Spring Invitational and the PSAC Championship. Graham registered eight top five tournament finishes and was top 10 in all 10 tournaments she competed in, never finishing lower than sixth on the leaderboard. Graham's season average was a new career-best, edging her freshman average of 79.56. She now holds two of the top three season averages in program history, with this year's 79.36 ranking second. Graham is also on pace to set the program's career average record with a 79.47 through two seasons. For the second straight season, Graham set a new program 18-hole record with a 1-under par 71 during the second round of the Millersville Fall Classic, Sept. 24, 2024. She previously set the program's 18-hole record with a 1-under 71 at the ESU Fall Invitational in Sept. 2023. Graham is the first player in program history with multiple All-PSAC First Team selections in a career and is the first KU player to receive all-conference honors in back-to-back seasons since Madison Beer in 2016 and 2017.

Kutztown University softball had five from the program earn a spot on the College Sports Communicators 2025 Academic All-District team. It recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the diamond and in the classroom. Kristin Geesey (Bainbridge, Pa./Elizabethtown), Haley Gravish (Hamburg, Pa./Hamburg), Emily Henn (Matamoras, Pa./Delaware Valley), Alexa Stevens (Jefferson Township, Pa./North Pocono) and Jenna Piatkiewicz (Fogelsville, Pa./Parkland) landed on the All-District team. The five Golden Bear selections ties the program record from last year. It is the third consecutive honor for Gravish, second straight for Geesey and Stevens and the first for Henn and Piatkiewicz. Gravish and Henn will now be considered and voted on to become CSC Academic All-Americans, which will be announced June 17. Per CSC, eligible nominees must compete in 90 percent of the institution's games played or start in at least 66 percent of the institution's games. Pitchers must have made at least 17 appearances or pitched 35 innings. Geesey graduated with a degree in criminal justice and a 3.94 GPA. Gravish graduated with a degree in social media theory and strategy with a 3.86 GPA. Henn just completed her sophomore year and is majoring in elementary education and boasts a 3.71 GPA. Stevens just finished her junior year and holds a 3.83 GPA as a biology major. Piatkiewicz recently completed her junior year and is a biochemistry major with a 3.99 major. Kutztown finished the 2025 season with a 43-19 overall record and competed in the NCAA Super Regionals.

The Kutztown University men's and women's outdoor track and field teams had six representatives as United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Atlantic Region selections. For the Golden Bear men, Kyle Archie, Josh McKoy and TJ White all earned All-Region in the high jump, while Kevin Givone and Jacob Solonoski were named All-Region in the javelin and hammer throw, respectively. On the women's side, Sophia Knerr captured All-Region in the 3000m steeplechase. Archie's season-best jump of 2.08m (6-9.75) earned him a spot on the team, while White and McKoy each leaped to bests of 2.05m (6-8.75). Givone recorded a long throw of 63.59m (208-7) and Solonoski tallied his best hammer throw of 56.46m (185-3). Knerr finished with her fastest time of 11:20.17 in the steeplechase. Per the USTFCCCA, the top five individuals in each event from each region earn an All-Region distinction in addition to each of the members of the regions' top three relay teams. The Atlantic Region includes all schools from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), Mountain East Conference (MEC) and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA).

Seniors Sam Graf and Lailah ElBouazzaoui of the Kutztown University women's lacrosse team have been named to the 2025 Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) All-Atlantic Region First Team. This marks the third career All-Region honor for both Golden Bears. Graf, a midfielder and the program's all-time leader in points, goals, and draw controls, turned in a standout senior season. She ranked third in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) in goals per game, finishing the year with 60 total goals-including a program-record eight in a single game. Graf also placed eighth in the conference with 28 assists and led the PSAC in caused turnovers with 52, a mark that ranks fifth nationally and falls just two shy of Kutztown's single-season record. She added 30 ground balls and 64 draw controls, the fourth-highest single-season total in program history. ElBouazzaoui, an attacker, capped off her collegiate career by moving into second place all-time at Kutztown in both points and goals. She scored 48 goals, ranking tenth in the PSAC in goals per game, and tallied a career-high 62 draw controls-fifth-most in a single season at KU. Her 14 draw controls in a single game set a new program record, surpassing her previous mark of 13. She also recorded 16 assists, 12 ground balls, and six caused turnovers on the season. With their regional selections, Graf and ElBouazzaoui are now eligible for IWLCA All-America honors. The IWLCA will announce the 2025 Division II All-American teams May 21.

The Kutztown University Department of Mathematics inducted students into Kappa Mu Epsilon, a national mathematics honor society, at its annual induction ceremony. Kappa Mu Epsilon is a specialized honor society in Mathematics. KME was founded in 1931 to promote the interest of mathematics among undergraduate students. Its chapters are located in colleges and universities of recognized standing which offer a strong mathematics major. The chapters' members are selected from students of mathematics and other closely related fields who have maintained standards of scholarship, have professional merit, and have attained academic distinction. Both men and women are eligible for membership.

Sophomore outfielder Emily Henn (Matamoras, Pa./Delaware Valley) and senior pitcher Haley Gravish (Hamburg, Pa./Hamburg) of the No. 19 Kutztown University softball team were recognized as Division II Conference Commissioner's Association All-Atlantic Region members. Henn was voted First Team, while Gravish was tabbed Second Team. The D2CCA All-Region teams are nominated for and voted on by the athletic communication professionals in each region. As a first team honoree, Henn advances to the national ballot for All-America consideration. The D2CCA All-America Team will be unveiled on May 22. The duo were also on the National Fastpitch Coaches Association's All-Atlantic Region teams and were both voted to the All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference teams. Henn earned First Team NFCA and All-PSAC as the left fielder. The awards from the NFCA and the D2CCA officially make her a consensus All-Region selection. She is the first consensus All-Region performer since 2022 when both Bridget Bailey and Brianna Hughes (Hatboro, Pa./Upper Moreland) earned First Team from the NFCA and D2CCA. Henn currently ranks second in the PSAC in average (.408), is fourth in hits (82) and fifth in runs scored (48). She has started all 58 games she's played in and has six home runs, 11 doubles, four triples and 34 RBIs. Gravish received Second Team accolades from both the NFCA and PSAC. In 228.1 innings and 44 appearances in 2025, she is 30-8 with a 2.45 ERA with four shutouts and 180 strikeouts. Over the weekend at Regionals, Gravish earned her 30th victory of the season, tying the program record for wins in a season. She also ranks seventh all-time in strikeouts in a season. For her career, Gravish has earned 72 victories inside the circle, second-most at KU and also ranks second in innings (617.1) and appearances (124), while she's fourth in strikeouts (434).

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.

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.

Five members of the 18th-ranked Kutztown University softball team were voted to the 2025 All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference's teams. Senior first baseman Naya Darnowski (Manchester, N.J./Manchester Township) and sophomore left fielder Emily Henn (Matamoras, Pa./Delaware Valley) were voted to the First Team and senior pitcher Haley Gravish (Hamburg, Pa./Hamburg), junior second baseman Alexa Stevens (Covington Township, Pa./North Pocono) and junior third baseman Morgan Slomkowski (Toms River, N.J./Toms River East) earned Second Team honors. The five selections are the most since 2022 when KU also had five representatives on All-PSAC. There were seven in 2013. It is the second All-PSAC accolade for Darnowski, Gravish and Henn, with Darnowski and Henn earning Second Team last season and Gravish was Second Team in 2023. Darnowski has started all 51 games this season. She is having a career-best season at the plate, hitting .314 with 50 hits, 31 RBIs and 33 runs scored. Darnowski's power at the plate has showed this season as well with career-highs of seven home runs and eight doubles, with a .509 slugging percentage. Henn has started in all 51 games this season. Her sophomore surge has led her to lead the team in several offensive categories, including batting average (.416), hits (74), runs (46) and total bases (110). Her average and hits both rank second in the PSAC and she's fourth in runs scored. Henn also has six HRs, four triples, 10 doubles and 32 RBIs. Gravish has once again been the ace and work horse of the pitching staff in 2025. In 35 appearances, making 23 starts, she is 24-7 with a 2.43 ERA and one save in 178.2 innings. Her wins and innings pitched ranks second in the PSAC and ERA is eighth. Gravish currently ranks second in program history with 66 career wins. She also ranks third in appearances (115), fifth in innings pitched (567.2) and strikeouts (397). Stevens has started all 51 games this season. She is hitting .316 in 174 plate appearances with 55 hits, six doubles and seven home runs, along with 42 runs scored. Stevens' six triples is tied for third in the conference and her career-best 45 RBIs ranks sixth. Slomkowski has started all 51 games this season. She ranks second on the team with a .331 batting average, including 46 hits, 10 doubles, 36 RBIs and 38 runs scored. Slomkowski's 10 home runs ranks seventh in the PSAC and her .619 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.

Three members of the No. 19 Kutztown University women's lacrosse team earned 2025 All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East honors. Sam Graf (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) and Lailah ElBouazzaoui (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) were named to the All-PSAC East First Team, while Summer Davis (Beach Haven, N.J./Southern Regional) was selected to the Second Team. Graf and ElBouazzaoui became the first players in program history to earn All-PSAC honors in all four seasons of their careers, spanning 2022 through 2025. Davis earned her second career All-PSAC recognition. Davis, a junior defender, led the Golden Bears with 55 ground balls and recorded 41 caused turnovers, both among the top four in the PSAC. She also achieved a career-high 30 draw controls and netted her first career goal. Davis moved into third place on Kutztown's all-time caused turnovers list (106), with one season still to play. ElBouazzaoui, a senior attack, totaled 48 goals and 64 points in 2025, moving into second place all-time at Kutztown in both categories and ranking among the PSAC's top 10 in goals scored this season. She set a new KU single-game record with 14 draw controls and posted a career-high 62 draw controls overall, ranking in the top five in program history for both single-season and career draw controls (172). Graf, a senior midfielder, set new KU career records for goals (235) and points (321) in 2025. She scored 60 goals and totaled 88 points this season-both among the top single-season performances in school history. Graf led the team with 28 assists, ranked eighth in the PSAC, and added 64 draw controls along with a team- and PSAC-best 52 caused turnovers. She also moved into second all-time at KU in career caused turnovers (132). The trio helped lead Kutztown to another nationally ranked season, with performances that stand among the best in program history.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Kutztown University athletics department recognized 40 student-athletes Thursday afternoon, April 10, as a part of a new class of the Pennsylvania Alpha Omega Chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma in the National College Athlete Honor Society. The luncheon recognized those student-athletes who excel in both the classroom and competition. Chi Alpha Sigma was founded in 1996 by then DePauw University head football coach Nick Mourouzis. His goal was to provide outstanding student-athletes with an opportunity to become connected within a fraternal association that aligns their educational and athletic successes for a lifetime. In order to be inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma, a student-athlete must attend a four-year accredited college or university that is a member of the NCAA, NAIA, USCAA or NCCAA. The honoree also must achieve at least junior academic standing by the fifth semester or seventh quarter, as determined by the certifying institution, and must have achieved a minimum cumulative grade-point average of a 3.4 (on a 4.0 scale).

Kutztown University women's acrobatics and tumbling had three athletes named all-conference as the Mountain East Conference released its 2025 postseason award winners and all-conference teams. Representing the Golden Bears as the program's first-ever all-conference honorees are First Team selections Sydney Jundt (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester) and Tiffani Lincoln (Oneonta, N.Y./Oneonta), and Second Team pick Maddie Welsh (York, Pa./Central York). Kutztown joined the MEC as an associate member in acrobatics & tumbling prior to the 2025 season. Jundt is a junior base/tumbler from Rochester Hills, Mich. She is in her first season with the Maroon and Gold after spending two seasons at Trine University. Earlier this season, Jundt was named MEC Specialist of the Week on Feb. 24. Lincoln has been a leader for KU and head coach Karah Paull over the last four seasons. The senior top/tumbler from Oneonta, N.Y., helped the program make history in 2024 when she qualified for the NCATA National Championship Event Finals as part of Kutztown's acro 5-element squad. Lincoln was recognized as the KU acrobatics & tumbling Coaches Award winner in 2022. Welsh, a senior base from York, Pa., is in her third season with the Golden Bears in 2025. She's been critical to Kutztown's success on the mat, contributing to winning seasons each year with the program. Welsh has also been strong in the classroom, earning NCATA Academic Honor Roll recognition in 2024 and being named to the KU Dean's List multiple times.

The National Tenpin Coaches Association announced its annual award winners for the 2024-25 NCAA bowling season, where Kutztown University senior Chloe Sromovski (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./G.A.R. Memorial) was named an All-America Honorable Mention honoree and freshman Kamryn Brenneman (York, Pa./Central York) earned a spot on the Second-Team All-Rookie squad. Sromovski, who was unanimously named the East Coast Conference's Bowler of the Year, added her first national recognition to an already loaded resume as one of the best KU bowlers in program history. The senior bowled 983 frames in 2024-25, averaging 20.35 pins per frame on an 84.5 percent fill rate. She struck on over 50 percent of her attempts on the year while converting 70 percent of her traditional spare attempts. The fourth-year bowler showed to be a reliable performer in the 10th frame, bowling an 86 percent fill rate and a 52.6 percent strike clip in the anchor role. Sromovski found her way into the top 50 of the NTCA's Player Composite Performance Index (PCPI), as she was statistically the third-best kegler among those on teams not recognized in the top 15 of the national polls. Brenneman emerged as one of the best first-year bowlers in the country in her setup role alongside Sromovski, bowling 90 percent of the team's frames in her first campaign with the Golden Bears while earning the conference's Rookie of the Year honor in unanimous fashion. She rolled a team-best 83.7 percent baker fill percentage and 88.7 single pins spare percentage while holding the conference's second-best overall scoring average (19.74 pins) behind Sromovski. The York, Pa., native's performance throughout the season earned her six ECC Rookie of the Week honors, a sign of continued success on the horizon for the Golden Bears. Sromovski's recognition is the seventh All-America Honorable Mention in program history but first since Deanna DiRado in 2014. She is the sixth Golden Bear bowler to be nationally recognized with an All-America honor by the NTCA, a list that includes three-time honoree Kayla Jones (2009, 2011, 2012) and two-time honoree Brooke Bower (2013 and 2014). Brenneman's first-year bowler honor is the first of its kind for the Kutztown bowling team, but she becomes the third rookie to earn a freshman recognition in program history to go along with back-to-back Division II Rookie of the Year honors in 2008 (Kayla Stamm) and 2009 (Kayla Jones). Sromovski and Brenneman led the Golden Bears (64-45 overall) to their first East Coast Conference Championship crown while sweeping the conference's individual honors alongside fifth-year head coach Angela Reynolds. KU reached their second-ever NCAA postseason and defeated Fayetteville State on the national stage for their first victory on that level since 2011.