Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

More than 1,850 students have been named to the Spring 2022 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.

Steady improvement by the Kutztown University women's lacrosse team in 2022 came with postseason recognition for three players, as junior Cyrose Conteh (Elizabethtown, Pa./Elizabethtown) and freshmen Lailah ElBouazzaoui (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) and Sam Graf (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) were named to the All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division Second Team. Conteh, an offensive-minded midfielder during her first two seasons with the program, developed into a reliable defender and her unmatched speed was an asset in the Golden Bears' transition game under first-year head coach Kristen Nicholson. The Elizabethtown, Pa., native led KU with 22 caused turnovers, ranked second in draw controls with 40 and third in ground balls with 35. She started all 17 games and has now played and started in 33 over three seasons. ElBouazzaoui burst on the scene with four multi-goal games to open her collegiate career. She netted a hat trick against Caldwell, March 3, before posting back-to-back five-goal performances at Lock Haven (March 5) and at Holy Family (March 9). The attack from Bridgewater, N.J., went on to register multiple goals in 12 of Kutztown's 17 games, including eight hat tricks. ElBouazzaoui led the Golden Bears with 43 goals (fifth most in a season in program history), shots (97) and draw controls (59). She was also the team's third-leading scorer with 46 points overall. ElBouazzaoui became KU's first 40-goal scorer since Sarah Gabriele in 2018, but she wouldn't be the only one to reach that milestone this season. Graf, a fellow all-conference selection, joined her with a hat trick in the Bears' final game of the season at Shepherd. The six-point effort against Shepherd on Saturday, April 30, capped an outstanding season by Graf, a game-changing midfielder from Wayne, N.J. She led all Kutztown players with 63 points, 21 assists, 14 free position goals and 75 shots on goal. Graf also ranked second in goals (42), second in total shots (95), second in caused turnovers (19), third in draw controls (39) and fifth in ground balls (29). The freshman amassed multiple goals and multiple assists in the same game five times over the course of the season and closed the campaign with consecutive six-point games at No. 4 West Chester, April 27, and at Shepherd, April 30. Conteh, ElBouazzaoui and Graf are Kutztown's first all-conference picks since the PSAC started honoring Eastern and Western Division teams in 2021. Prior to the divisional structure, the last time the Golden Bears had three all-league players was in 2016 with Courtney O'Neill named All-PSAC First Team and Sarah Gabriele and Lauren Huggins named Third Team.

Kutztown University presented the Chambliss Student Academic Achievement Awards to six accomplished students Friday, April 8, in the Georgian Room at Old Main. Students who received awards were nominated by staff and faculty members for meeting one or more of the six areas of achievement: successfully completed research projects, high-quality original artwork, high-quality artistic performances (music, chorus, drama, etc.), original writing in literature or meritorious writing in other fields, noteworthy achievements in athletics, and outstanding service to the KU community. The Academic Achievement Awards were established in 2004 through a donation provided by Dr. Carlson Chambliss, KU professor of astronomy from 1970-2003. The purpose of the awards is to recognize the exceptional individual achievements of a select group of KU graduating seniors. Specially designed coin medallions of gold, silver and copper were presented to the students. Vanessa Maybruck - Gold Medal Vanessa Maybruck is an Honors student, a mathematics and mathematics education dual major with a minor in biochemistry graduating in May from Allentown, Pa. Maybruck was awarded the Chambliss Academic Achievement Gold Medal for outstanding service to the university community and successfully completed research project(s). She has been actively involved in multiple organizations on campus, including the Mathematics Department Peer Mentor Program, the Kappa Mu Epsilon Honor Society, the KU Honors Club and the KU Choirs. She has made outstanding contributions to the KU chapter of the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) and the IOTA chapter of the Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society. She has served as president of AWM for more than two years, where she co-organized and coordinated several events focused on empowering women, celebrating diversity and navigating male-dominated careers as women. It was primarily her leadership that made these events a success. Maybruck has made other significant contributions to the campus community through her efforts to promote disability awareness and improve campus accessibility for individuals with disabilities. She had multiple leadership roles as an active member of Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society for Students with Disabilities (DAP) and is currently president. Under her leadership, DAP members worked to create guidelines for making large scale campus events more accessible to all, where she hopes to publish these guidelines for general campus use. Maybruck is KU's nominee for the State System's Syed R. Ali-Zaidi Award for Academic Excellence. Maybruck plans to obtain her Ph.D. in applied mathematics to become a professor and prolific mathematical modeler. Isaac Reiter - Gold Medal Isaac Reiter is an Honors student, a mathematics major graduating in May from Fleetwood, Pa. Reiter was awarded the Chambliss Academic Achievement Gold Medal for successfully completed research project(s). Reiter has been an active researcher and presenter in the areas of cryptography, number theory and graph theory. These areas of interest, along with his experience in computer programming, has led to two general research projects. His work with a project involving playing card cryptosystem led to a new discovery of vulnerabilities in current cryptosystems. His findings allowed him to improve the security of Card Chameleon and has created a new secure and efficient playing card system called VICCard. In his other project that focused on problems of graph theory, a field of discrete mathematics that studies network structure, Reiter has demonstrated an exceptional research ability. He currently has two publications on his research in reputable professional journals, a third publication in an undergraduate journal and has an Honors capstone thesis. He has presented his research at local conferences, graduate student seminars and regional and national professional conferences. Reiter intends to pursue a Ph.D. in mathematics and has a goal of becoming a professor. Kayla Argen - Silver Medal Kayla Argen is a sport management major graduating in May from Cresco, Pa. She was awarded the Chambliss Academic Silver Medal for noteworthy achievements in athletics. Argen was captain and center midfielder for the nationally ranked KU women's soccer team, where she helped lead the Golden Bears to a successful 17-1-2 season in 2021 and participate in the PSAC and NCAA tournaments. She was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-America First Team and D2CCA All-America Third Team, the eighth player in program history to earn All-America status and only the third to receive the recognition from multiple organizations in a single season. She has been an active member of the women's soccer program all three competitive seasons that she has been a student at KU, starting in 53 of 58 career games played. Argen led KU last year in scoring with 10 goals and five assists for 25 points, which ranked fourth in the PSAC. Throughout her career, she has 17 goals and 15 assists, fifth all-time in program history for career assists. These numbers have accounted for three years due to the 2020 season being canceled due to COVID-19. Argen is planning to return to the field this fall as the NCAA granted an extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19. Her future aspirations involve a professional athletic playing career and/or a career path working in the sports field. Corey Potter - Silver Medal Corey Potter is from Reinholds, Pa. and graduated in December with a degree in geology. He was awarded the Chambliss Academic Achievement Silver Medal for successfully completed research project(s). Throughout 2021, Potter completed two separate research projects with guidance from two different faculty members and exhibited outstanding research ability and skill. In one of his projects, he worked to create 3D computer models from photographs, adapt lab-based geology research and created a method for extracting geospatial data using his computer skills. Potter worked independently to create a clear workflow that future research students can use and devised a programming solution for gathering useful data from photogrammetric models. He presented his results in person at the annual Geological Society of America meeting in Portland, Oregon in Oct. 2021. This conference is an international professional event where undergraduate students are encouraged to attend and present cutting-edge scientific research. Most presentations are given by professionals in industry, government and academia and only a select few of undergraduate students. Potter has since graduated from KU and is now in graduate school at Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Mo. He is in the Petroleum Engineering program and is working on his Ph.D. Rylee Derr - Copper Medal Rylee Derr is from Lititz, Pa. and graduated in December with dual degrees in special education and elementary education. She was awarded the Chambliss Academic Achievement Copper Medal for noteworthy achievements in athletics. Derr has been a starter and member of the KU women's basketball team since 2017 and led the Golden Bears to two PSAC East titles, two PSAC Final Four appearances and the program's first NCAA Tournament since 1996. Derr is the all-time leading scorer in KU women's basketball history. She also holds the school record for three-pointers made in a game, season and career. She is a three-time All-PSAC selection, was the KU Freshman of the Year and has made the Dean's List and been named a PSAC Scholar-Athlete every year. She was the team captain this season and returned to complete her four years of athletics due to COVID-19. In doing so, she is pursuing her master's degree in education and her reading specialist certification. Derr aspires to become a teacher and remain involved in basketball. Shani Trebatoski - Copper Medal Shani Trebatoski is an art education and crafts major graduating in May from York, Pa. She was awarded the Chambliss Academic Achievement Copper Medal for successfully completed research project(s). Trebatoski has served as an undergraduate research assistant over the course of summer 2020 and summer 2021. Throughout the last 2+ years, she has been fully involved in the data collection and use of narrative methodologies during a research study funded by the National Art Education Foundation and a KU Bears Grant. During her study, she used narrative research - a qualitative method focused on gathering the stories of participants -to collect participants' lived experiences to better understand the complexity of being an educator in a changing teaching landscape with specific attention to how one's own identity impacts one's role as an educator. This research is timely, as the field of art education reflects and examines the role of professional identity on views of the learner and curriculum creation that promotes equity, diversity, inclusivity and accessibility. She has been an integral part of this project; she coded the data that was collected, organized and maintained the software that contains files pertinent to each participant, maintained a field/research journal, participated in data reflections and researched background material that was vital to the study. Trebatoski co-authored a research article that focused on how white educators engage in critical social action that has been accepted for publication. She also participated in state and national scholarly presentations. She is currently teaching elementary students in Reading, where the knowledge gained from this research is being actively utilized as she works with diverse learners. She will be serving elementary students in the Reading School District and will be presenting at the undergraduate KU Inspires research symposium this April.

Four Kutztown University students spent their spring break with a trip to Washington, D.C. to learn about the history of voting rights in the United States and the importance of enhancing voter access. During the trip, students also learned how to apply tactics to fight for voting rights and other problems in their communities and network with elected officials in Pennsylvania and across the country. Students Melanie Momphotes, Brandon Ramirez, Elizabeth Kolb and Leah Johnson spent time throughout the week reading, viewing a film, touring and meeting with elected officials and nonprofit organizations. They dove deep into material that outlined the support and opposition efforts for black voting rights both in the past and present. In doing so, they discussed the historical significance of how the ability to vote is a fundamental right to all citizens in America. Among the nonprofit organizations that the students met with during their excursion were Issue One, an organization dedicated to protecting U.S. elections, Congressional Management Foundation, another non-partisan nonprofit that builds trust and effectiveness in Congress, as well as Friends Place on Capitol Hill, which focuses on civic education and engagement for young individuals. This trip provided Momphotes, Ramirez, Kolb and Johnson with invaluable information about the importance of good government and how it impacts the lives of every citizen. Another key lesson they took away from their time in Washington, D.C. was how to apply the knowledge of the innerworkings of the congressional office to advocate for policies and initiatives that they are particularly passionate about. Students met with the Legislative Director and a member of the legislative team for Senator Bob Casey. Students met in the Dirksen Senate Office Building, where they received a tour and had the opportunity to discuss legislation that the Senator has been working on. They also visited the National Museum of American History and the National Museum of African American History and Culture and specifically interacted with exhibits focused on democracy and the history of African Americans in the United States as it relates to democracy, civil rights and voting rights.

Nine Kutztown University students won awards from Graphis Magazine for new talent. Students worked with university faculty and winning categories ranged from design, illustration, motion graphics film and video. Graphis is committed to presenting and promoting the work of exceptional talent in design, advertising, photography and art/illustration. In addition to the platinum, gold and silver winners, Graphis also embraces rising talent, all of whom have an equal Archive presentation. Award winners included: Platinum: Carly Kozacheck (design, illustration) Gold: Carly Kozacheck (design, vinyl) Gold: Patrick Langschwager (film/video, design, motion graphics) Silver: Carly Kozacheck (design, restaurant) Silver: Claire Johnson (design, exhibits) Silver: Sam Dillman (advertising, beauty & fashion) Silver: Mary Ann GanoungWilliams (design, poster) Honorable Mention: Emma Pearl Smith (design, editorial) Honorable Mention: Megan Laird (advertising, healthcare) Honorable Mention: Annie Kitchell (design, vinyl) Honorable Mention: Lynne O'Connor (design, packaging) Honorable Mention: Claire Johnson (advertising, food) View the award-winning work online at https://www.graphis.com/competition/new-talent-annual-2022/live-viewing/?category=&entry_type=&professor__school=45.

Kutztown University inducted 54 students into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society at the induction ceremony held Tuesday, Feb. 22. Phi Kappa Phi is an honor society established in 1897 to recognize and encourage superior scholarship without restriction as to area of study.

Kutztown University will have 26 student-athletes representing its softball program for the 2022 season. Read the full season preview. Last year was one of the best seasons in recent memory for the Kutztown University softball team. KU, however, can still accomplish more and has the expectations to do so during the 2022 campaign. Coming off a 33 win season and a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East Division first place finish in 2021, the Kutztown University softball team once again is viewed highly around the conference. KU was voted second in the East Division Preseason Poll. The Golden Bears finished last season 33-15 overall and 23-9 in the PSAC and came within one win of the conference championship series. The 23 PSAC wins is the most in program history in a season. They also made their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2017 and 19th appearance overall in program history, going 1-2 while hosting the Division II Atlantic Region Championships. KU will return its entire starting lineup from the 2021 team and is a favorite, along with defending conference champion West Chester, to win the PSAC this season.

Kutztown University will have 31 student-athletes representing its baseball program for the 2022 season. Read the season preview online. For the first time since 2019, the Kutztown University baseball team will be able to play a more in-depth, non-conference schedule, leading up to its conference slate. KU opens its 2022 season this weekend with four games against Chowan University in Murfreesboro, N.C., beginning Saturday, Feb. 5. Last season, Kutztown's first game was on March 5, when it played four games at Frostburg State. That was the lone tune up for Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference competition. This year, KU has 14 games scheduled before it takes on Millersville in the PSAC and home opener on Friday, March 11. Kutztown finished the 2021 season 17-21 overall and 11-21 in the PSAC. The Golden Bears are set to bring back a majority of the roster from last season, including six of their hitters that were in the starting lineup in the final series against Millersville last May, and the top four of their pitching staff. Kutztown was picked sixth in the PSAC preseason poll and will look to improve upon that mark.

Kutztown University has conferred degrees for more than 450 students for the 2021 fall semester and 2022 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 following students have been awarded degrees following the 2021 fall semester and 2022 winter session. 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.

More than 1,920 students have been named to the Fall 2021 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 has announced 29 student-athletes will represent its wrestling team for the 2021-2022 season. Read the full season preview here. The Golden Bears are 1-0 to start the season and return to action Jan. 8, 2022, at the Kutztown Duals. KU is led by head coach Robert Fisher, who is in his 21st year at the helm of the Golden Bears.

Kutztown University has announced 12 student-athletes will represent its women's swimming team for the 2021-2022 season. Read the full season preview here. The Golden Bears are 2-5 to start the season and return to action Jan. 14-15, 2022, at the Vulcan Invitational. KU is led by head coach Tim Flannery, who is in his 25th year at the helm of the Golden Bears.

Kutztown University has announced 19 student-athletes will represent its women's bowling team for the 2021-2022 season. Read the full season preview here. The Golden Bears are 22-13 to start the season and return to action Jan. 21-23, 2022. KU is led by head coach Angela Reynolds, who is in her third year at the helm of the Golden Bears.

Kutztown University has announced 17 student-athletes will represent its men's basketball team for the 2021-2022 season. Read the full season preview here. The Golden Bears are 4-4 to start the season and open Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) play Dec. 18-19. KU is led by head coach Bernie Driscoll, who is in his 21st season at the helm of the Golden Bears.

Kutztown University has announced 15 student-athletes will represent its women's basketball team for the 2021-2022 season. Read the full season preview here. The Golden Bears are 8-3 to start the season and open Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) play Dec. 18-19. KU is led by head coach Janet Malouf, who is in her 27th season at the helm of the Golden Bears.

Jennifer Haas (KU BA '20; KU MPA '23) and Dr. Steve B. Lem presented their paper, "Redistricting and Congressional Members' Spending Priorities," at the 2021 national meeting of the American Political Science Association in Seattle, Wash., Sept. 3 to Oct. 3. The American Political Science Association is the leading professional organization for the study of political science. The annual meeting draws thousands of attendees from around the country and world. Haas and Dr. Lem presented their work alongside panelists from Florida International University, University of Texas, Austin, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (Japan) and Western Galilee College (Israel).

Kutztown University has announced 103 student-athletes will represent its football team for the 2021 season. Read the full season preview here. The defending Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division champion Golden Bears eagerly await their first chance at defending their East crown and reaching a third consecutive NCAA Tournament, after a more than 21-month hiatus from the gridiron. Head coach Jim Clements, now in his seventh season leading the program, has guided Kutztown to increased win totals in each of its last four years, culminating with 2019's 11-2 record. He'll have to replace numerous contributors on offense both at the skill positions and in the trenches to continue that trajectory this fall. The Maroon and Gold graduated a number of high impact players on offense from the 2019 team, notably All-American tight end Jack Pilkerton, PSAC East Offensive Player of the Year and four-year starting quarterback Collin DiGalbo, All-PSAC East First Team running back Abdul-Hassan Neblett and All-PSAC East First Team offensive linemen Justin Tindull, Jayson Williams and Matt Cella, who is now serving as a graduate assistant on staff. The PSAC portion of the schedule begins Saturday, Sept. 11, with a trip to nationally-ranked Indiana (Pa.).

Kutztown University has announced 12 student-athletes will represent its men's cross country team for the 2021 season. Read the full season preview here. The Kutztown University men's cross country team is ready to run in 2021. The Golden Bears competed in just two meets last year, both in March, due to the fall season cancelling because of the pandemic. They ran at Shippensburg and in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Championships at Lock Haven. Kutztown didn't field its usual full roster at PSACs and, thus, was not included in the final team standings. KU placed fifth in 2019 and will look to match that effort this upcoming season. Along with the Adelphi Invitational, Kutztown will host its annual Division II/III Challenge on the North Campus course on Saturday, Sept. 18. KU will also race at the Paul Short Run at Lehigh University on Friday, Oct. 1, and will stay near Bethlehem when it competes at DeSales University on Saturday, Oct. 9. Kutztown University will host the PSAC Championships on Friday, Oct. 22.

Kutztown University will have 39 student-athletes representing its women's soccer program for the 2021 season. Read the full season preview online For the first time since Nov. 9, 2019, the Kutztown University women's soccer team will take to the field for an NCAA game. KU's 2021 slate is set to start under the lights Friday night in West Virginia. The Golden Bears, like many other programs across the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference and NCAA, will be breaking in almost an entirely different team since the last time it played in 2019. Albeit with a newer roster and some inexperience across the field, head coach Erik Burstein, in his 14th season in charge, is excited for what feels like a restart with a fresh program. Kutztown finished the 2019 season 11-7 overall, winners of its last three games to close out the season. The Maroon and Gold have qualified for the NCAA Tournament in three of the last four seasons. Kutztown begins its 2021 campaign with two straight road games, with the season-opener on Friday, Sept. 3, at the University of Charleston (W.V.). The home-opener at Keystone Field is set for Wednesday, Sept. 8, against Millersville at 7 p.m.

Kutztown University will have 30 student-athletes representing its field hockey program for the 2021 season. Read the full season preview online The 2019 season was unlike many others for the Kutztown University field hockey program. KU looks to build upon that historic season in 2021, two years removed from last playing in an NCAA game. Having missed the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Golden Bears are eager to build upon their 2019 success, which included a 15-7 record, a regular spot in the NFHCA Division II national rankings, a PSAC runner-up finish and a trip to the NCAA Division II Final Four. Kutztown enters the 2021 campaign ranked No. 5 in DII and was voted fourth in the PSAC preseason poll. Kutztown has added numbers and quality depth at all four facets of the field (forward, midfield, defense, goalie). Scheuing feels that she can field a quality full unit even behind the starting 11. The Golden Bears will open their 2021 season against Southern Connecticut State at the Dr. Art DeGenaro Classic hosted by Mansfield University on Saturday, Sept. 4, at 2 p.m. The home-opener is set for Saturday, Sept. 11, at 1 p.m., against Mansfield.

Kutztown University has announced 18 student-athletes will represent its women's cross country team for the 2021 season. Read the full season preview here. The Kutztown University women's cross country team has been eagerly waiting to lace up its spikes and hit the course in 2021. The Golden Bears will be back to competing in the fall this season after a brief spring season last year. They ran in just two meets last year, both in March, due to the fall season cancelling because of the pandemic. They ran at Shippensburg and in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Championships at Lock Haven. KU will look to improve upon its 12th-place finish at PSACs this year. Along with the Adelphi Invitational, Kutztown will host its annual Division II/III Challenge on the North Campus course on Saturday, Sept. 18. KU will also race at the Paul Short Run at Lehigh University on Friday, Oct. 1, and will stay near Bethlehem when it competes at DeSales University on Saturday, Oct. 9. Kutztown University will host the PSAC Championships on Friday, Oct. 22.

Kutztown University will have 21 student-athletes representing its women's volleyball program for the 2021 season. Read the full season preview online Unlike the past few years, the 2021 edition of the Kutztown University women's volleyball team will feature length at the front of the net. KU has 13 student-athletes that stand 5-feet-10-inches or taller (more than half of the roster), and four that stand over 6-feet tall. Head coach John Gump, entering his 24th season in charge, has switched it up, looking to be more dominant at the net. And his roster this season should be able to improve upon that area dramatically. Kutztown is slated to open its 2021 regular season at the Fairmont State Volleyball Classic in Fairmont, W. Va. KU will play four matches between Friday, Sept. 3, and Saturday, Sept. 4. The home-opener is set for Monday, Sept. 13, against Chestnut Hill.

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 2021 fall semester.

Kutztown University has conferred degrees for more than 1,300 students for the 2021 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 2021 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 listed multiple times have been awarded more than one degree. Students who have requested privacy (FERPA) are not listed publicly.

A year after surpassing 200 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Scholar-Athletes for the first time, Kutztown University student-athletes produced their most impressive academic performance yet in 2020-21. The Golden Bears obliterated their former record of 206 honorees with 252 this year, helping the PSAC establish a new conference-record with 4,162 scholar-athletes. Kutztown increased its scholar-athlete rate by nearly 8% from last year with 56.1% of its 449 eligible student-athletes recognized. In terms of overall honorees, the Golden Bears ranked 10th of the PSAC's 18 institutions, though the number of sports sponsored is not similar from institution-to-institution. Kutztown has produced triple-figure PSAC Scholar-Athlete totals 15 years running. To be named a PSAC Scholar-Athlete, a student-athlete must have finished the 2020-21 academic year with a 3.25 cumulative GPA or higher. As a conference, the PSAC honored a record number of student-athletes for the 15th straight year. The league's member schools combined to break the 4,000 scholar-athlete threshold for the first time, breaking the previous record of 3,763, set in 2019-20, by 399. The PSAC also set a new record with 55% of the conference's student-athlete population earning scholar-athlete accolades.

Nearly 2,300 students have been named to the Spring 2021 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 professor Laura Sherrod, along with two geology students and one alumna recently had a publication in the Journal of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics. Their paper aimed to illustrate how different burials of the U.S. Revolutionary War period can be detected and characterized with geophysics, providing important knowledge of a better historical understanding of that time period, as well as optimizing equipment instrumentation and processing procedures for such targeted investigations. Students Kim Shollenberger of Pine Grove, Pa., Corey Potter of Fleetwood, Pa., and alumna Heather Willever '19 of Allentown, Pa. co-authored the publication with Sherrod. The abstract from their paper can be found below and read in full online. "The United States Revolutionary War (1775-1783) resulted in numerous mass burials in the eastern United States, with deaths occurring not just directly related to the battles fought, but also from disease, starvation and exposure. Current information relating to these mass burials is often gathered from myths and rumors, leaving the truth of the historical aspects of that time period ambiguous. Geophysical techniques are increasingly utilized in archaeologic and forensic studies to locate unmarked burials. GPR, magnetics and electrical resistivity have been used to successfully identify burial locations around the world in a non-invasive manner. This paper aims to illustrate how different burials of the US Revolutionary War period can be detected and characterized with geophysics, providing important knowledge of a better historical understanding of that time period, as well as optimizing equipment instrumentation and processing procedures for such targeted investigations. Three case studies of Revolutionary War Era mass burial sites in Pennsylvania, USA are described here: the Paoli Battlefield Memorial, the Old Charlestown Cemetery and Saint Peter's Church in the Great Valley. These sites are within 9 km of each other and have historic records that suggest mass burials during this period. Results show GPR to provide the most useful data overall, with supporting information gathered from the supplemental geophysical techniques of magnetometry and resistivity. 2D profiles tend to provide a more valuable image of the subsurface than 3D slices. Larger burials leave a greater footprint and have a higher chance of causing a geophysical disturbance that can be measured more than 200 years after the burial. Soil moisture content and vegetation type can impact quality of results. Study implications demonstrate the challenges and potential usefulness of geophysical techniques to successfully locate and characterize mass burials of this time period."

Kutztown University astronomy senior Tyler Fenske of Wayne, N.J., co-authored his first peer-reviewed paper in The Astronomical Journal, titled "TESS Delivers Five New Hot Giant Planets Orbiting Bright Stars from the full-frame Images." He worked with professor Phillip Reed. Fenske contributed telescope observations using the C. R. Chambliss Astronomical Observatory on KU's campus. His analyses confirmed the sizes of two new exoplanets, TOI-1601 b and TOI-1333 b, both of which orbit sub-giant stars that are each about two times the size of our sun. The work was done while participating in the laboratory component of KU's course on Exoplanets (AST 242) in Fall 2020. Fenske will graduate this May. Read the paper here.

Kutztown University presented its annual Chambliss Student Academic Achievement Awards Friday, April 16, at a virtual event. Students were nominated by university employees for meeting one or more of the six areas of achievement, which include: successfully completed research project(s), original artwork of high quality, artistic performances (music, chorus, drama, etc.) of high quality, original writing in literature or meritorious writing in other fields, noteworthy achievements in athletics and outstanding service to the Kutztown University community.

The Syed R. Ali-Zaidi Award for Academic Excellence is conferred upon a graduating senior from one of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education universities. Kutztown University's Caelan Brooks was presented as the 2021 winner of the Syed R. Ali-Zaidi Award for Academic Excellence Thursday morning at the State System's virtual Board of Governors meeting.