Reading Public Library will be offering free conversational language
classes at the library’s Northeast Branch, 1348 N. 11th St.
The classes, designed for English speakers to learn and practice basic
Spanish, will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Tuesdays from April 9 to May 28,
2019.
Ineavelle Ruiz, Human Services Supervisor at Centro Hispãno, will teach
the course. Ruiz will use traditional
teaching methods as well as a free language learning app available for mobile
devices. Students will also get the
opportunity to facilitate learning through conversation with ESL students.
Cedar Crest College students participated in a different kind of spring break March 3 through March 9, 2019.
Among them were Brenda Moreno of Reading and Haley Krueger of Fleetwood.
During the week of service, the students had the opportunity to work with the Robeson County Church and Community Center in Lumberton, N.C. RCCCC is a multifaceted social service agency with a mission to push back against poverty and fight inequality in Robeson County, N.C. Students worked with the Center’s Home Store to create a more open and functional space through painting, floor merchandise display updates, updated merchandise floor plan, and processing donations.
In 2016, Lumberton was hit by Hurricane Florence that displaced many residents and caused significant damage to homes, business, and community lands. As many described the hurricane “it was a once in a lifetime damaging experience.” In Fall of 2018, Lumberton was hit by Hurricane Matthew, which caused the town to be split in half, due to the flooding and damage. Another “once-in-a-lifetime experience” that happened only two years after the first one.
· The Humanities Film
Series: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
When: Friday, April 26, 7–9:30 p.m.
What: A silent horror film from 1920 with a soundtrack performedlive by a musical trio led by Adjunct Instructor Mark Hunsberger, who is director of education with the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra.
Pictured from left are Major Michelle Rakers, Lauren McClintock, Kyle Rosler, David Miller. Dr. Philip Simon, Wilkes University Band Director, Hunter Bowman, Lauren Johnson and Leah Persing.
Lauren Johnson of Douglassville played in the 72nd annual Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Band
Lauren Johnson of Douglassville was chosen to play with the Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Band with other student musicians from 27 other schools across the state.
They performed under the baton of Major Michelle Rakers, former assistant conductor of the U.S. Marine Band. Johnson plays the clarinet.
Our Art for Arf’s Sake auction world is unlike anything
you’ve experienced before. Held in the historic Santander Performing Arts
Center, the gilded columns and ornate tapestries provide a magical atmosphere
for this event.
Our art auction is a lively and festive evening where guests
enjoy the opportunity to indulge in the theme, dress as their favorite
characters, and bid on one-of-a-kind pieces from traditional paintings to
unique works from renowned artists. All while providing support for the animals
we serve.
Twenty-five students, faculty members, and recent alumni from East Stroudsburg University’s department of psychology presented research at this year’s Eastern Psychological Association annual meeting in New York City, held February 28 – March 2. Ariel Tucci, of Douglassville, PA, was among the student presenters.
The Eastern Psychological Association was founded in 1896 and is the oldest of the regional psychological associations in the United States. Its sole purpose is to advance the science and profession through dissemination of professional information about the field of psychology.
Peer reviewed presentations included:
Laura Mariotti, a senior majoring in psychology from Old Forge, Pa., and Irina Khusid, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology; Digital World Impacts on Real World Friendships
Zoe Maas ’18, and Jyh-Hann Chang, Ph.D., professor of psychology; Shortened Form of The Compassion of Others Lives Scale (COOL scale)
Julia Sule, a senior majoring in communication sciences and disorders from Bethlehem, Pa., James Roe, a junior majoring in psychology from Milford, Pa., Dominic Brown-Andriulli, a junior majoring in psychology from Effort, Pa., Maas, and Dr. Chang; Compassion Levels of Speech-Language Pathology Students
Imani Williams, a senior majoring in psychology from Darby, Pa., Deena Dailey, Ph.D., adjunct professor of psychology, and Sussie Eshun, Ph.D., professor of psychology; Ambulatory Mobile Device Behaviors, Health Behaviors, Cognitive Dissonance and Optimism Bias
Raquel Sosa, a senior majoring in psychology from Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Sandi-Lynn Eshun, a graduate student at Yeshiva University studying psychology, Dr. Eshun and Dr. Dailey; Gender, Ethnicity, Contact, and Empathy as Predictors of Attitudes about Mental Illness
Sosa, and Dr. Eshun; The Impact of Language on Perceptions about Mental Illness
Carissa Ceballo, a junior majoring in psychology from Staten Island, N.Y., Sean McCann, a senior majoring in psychology from Stroudsburg, Pa., and Dr. Khusid; The Relationship Between Religiosity and Coping Strategies
Keith Young-Smith ’17, a graduate student studying public health from Philadelphia, Pa., Taylor Bess, a senior majoring in psychology from Phillipsburg, N.J., and Bonnie A. Green, Ph.D., professor of psychology; How a Class Assignment Uncovered Assumptions Related to Success and Privilege
Ariel A. Tucci ’18, a graduate student studying public health from Douglassville, Pa., Dr. Green and John Darsinos, research assistant for Clear Path; Differences in Academic Self-Efficacy in Community College Students
Christopher Galanti, a senior majoring in psychology from Lafayette Hill, Pa., Stephanie Hawk, a junior majoring in psychology from Allentown, Pa., and Dr. Green; Oppositional Mindset: A New Variable of Success
Anthony Drago, Ed.D., professor and chair of psychology; Everything You Wanted to Know about Being a Department Chair but Were Afraid to Ask
Dr. Green, Prof. Darsinos, and Dr. John Protzko, a post-doctoral fellow at University of California Santa Barbara; Translating Psychology Research for DR K-12 and HBCU NSF Grants
T. Michelle Jones-Wilson, Ph.D., professor of chemistry and Olivia Carducci, Ph.D., professor of mathematics were invited to participate in a symposium on how psychology faculty can work with other faculty to secure extramural funding for their research. Their talk is entitled: Functional Diversity Assembling a Disparate and Successful Team to Support Research and Obtain Funding for STEM Transfer Students
Dr. Chang was selected as a fellow for Eastern Psychological Association.
Widener University, one of the nation’s premier universities for civic engagement and applied leadership, in partnership with WCAU-TV NBC10, is proud to recognize the 2019 winners of the Widener University High School Leadership Awards.
In its eighth year, the program recognized 163 students from high schools throughout the region for their abilities to stand up for what is right, address a wrong and make a difference in their communities or schools. The honorees include:
Margaret McCann of Reading. McCann attends Berks Catholic High School and has made a difference by serving as a leader in her school and church community by volunteering to help younger students, assisting with the Vacation Bible School program, and leading her congregation in song as a cantor.
Katrina Robbins of Birdsboro. Robbins attends Daniel Boone Area High School and has made a difference by devoting her time to assist military families at home and abroad by leading a military aide organization.
Luke Hoffman of Reading. Hoffman attends Exeter Township Senior High School and has made a difference by devoting his time to assisting others in need and having a positive impact on his peers.
Abigal Sensenig of Reading. Sensenig attends Reading Senior High School and has made a difference by advocating for civil rights and social equity while dedicating time to extra curriculars.
“Through the High School Leadership Awards, Widener University has the pleasure of honoring the inspiring young leaders within our community who demonstrate courage and strong leadership,” said Widener University President Julie E. Wollman. “This year we are extremely proud to recognize students who embody our university’s core principals of character and leadership and work to create positive change in their communities. It is my pleasure to give each one of them this well-deserved recognition.”
Winners are invited to a celebratory program at the National Constitution Center tomorrow, March 28, 2019 and a leadership conference in the fall of 2019 presented by the Oskin Leadership Institute, Widener University’s world-class leadership program that aims to inspire and prepare students to become strategic leaders and responsible citizens. Recipients will also receive a scholarship of $20,000 over four years should they enroll at Widener University as a freshman for undergraduate studies and will be named an Apogee Scholar. As an Apogee Scholar, students will participate in a leadership development program at the Oskin Leadership Institute, which will include earning a Widener Leadership Certificate and participating in a variety of on-campus leadership development activities.
“NBC10 is proud to partner with Widener University to recognize these young leaders from across our region,” said Ric Harris, President and General Manager of NBC10 and Telemundo62. “These extraordinary individuals demonstrate integrity and inspire positive change in their schools and communities.”
For more information regarding the Widener University High School Leadership Awards and to view a complete list of winners, please visit the High School Leadership Awards page.
Rhonda Branford, Director of Multicultural Services
KU’s University Relations office has implemented a new
staff and department recognition feature. KUDOS, Kutztown University’s
Dedication to Outstanding Service, focuses on university administrative
departments and the individuals within them, giving the campus community a
better look inside many of the working areas on campus.
This week, we sat down with the Office of Multicultural
Services to get an inside look at the dedicated individuals who provide the KU
community with a safe learning environment filled with various inclusive
activities to help them better understand cultural and racial identity and
awareness.
UR: Can you introduce yourselves and tell us how long
you’ve been with KU?
RB: My name is Rhonda Branford and I’m the director of the
Kutztown University Multicultural Center. I have been at the university almost
35 years; I started in 1984 and since then I’ve had three different positions
at the university.
DT: My name is Deasia Thompson, I’m a senior Spanish major
and political science minor and I’m a student worker. This is my first year
working at the MCC.
MK: I’m Michael Kleppinger, I’m a junior transfer student
and I’m also a student worker. My major is applied digital arts.
LA: My name is Lillian Anabui, I’m a student worker and my
major is sociology.
UR: What is your department’s role and mission at the
university?
RB: Working in the area of multiculturalism and diversity,
our goal is to bring people together from different backgrounds and provide
them with skills and social interactions that will make them more globally
competent.
DT: Our mission is multiculturalism and promoting diversity
among students. It’s our job to be accepting of everyone and their backgrounds
because everyone has their own uniqueness.
UR: Can you explain your department’s staff make-up and
responsibilities?
RB: Aside from myself, our office manager, Miss Faith
Riedel, performs all of the clerical responsibilities, as well as interacts
with most of our students. She also runs some of our programs and has been the
foundation of our office since she started more than two years ago. The
students really enjoy her. A lot of what I do is related to programming, like
helping put together our social and leadership programs. I also lead some
diversity training and supervise our graduate assistants. I have fun with the
students in this position. Nothing is ever the same every day, so there’s a lot
of different things going on; I like to be hands-on and involved in all of it.
DT: I set up showcases to help inform the campus community.
I’m currently working on the women’s history month showcase, which requires me
to research history and background information. For example, I’m currently
working on the women’s history month showcase, so I’m looking into five women
in math, science, and politics.
MK: My job is similar to Deasia’s. Last month, Lillian and I
set up the Black History Month showcase. I also help out with MCC events, as
well as communicate between our staff to make sure everyone is well-informed
and up-to-date with what is going on. I also help make event flyers.
LA: I assist in those areas as well, which I think is useful
because it allows us to learn more about different cultures and genders so that
we can be more aware when we interact with the campus community. I also help
run events and maintain close relationships with everyone in the office so that
we’re all on the same page.
UR: How does your department serve students and the campus
community?
RB: We offer leadership opportunities for students, as well
as diversity training. We provide a safe place on campus for people to come
together and interact. Sometimes we talk about the tougher conversations
pertaining to social justice and things going on in our society that affect not
only people of color, but also affect the population in general.
MK: Our department offers a diverse perspective that may not
show on other campuses. We have a very welcoming feel, which is a big part of
our motto. We try to make sure that people of all cultures and ethnicities are
welcome and not at a disadvantage living here in Kutztown.
LA: We serve as a safe haven on campus for students.
Whenever they want to rest, study, or even just talk, they can come here. We’re
a home away from home for students if they need it.
DT: Almost all of our events, including salsa lessons and
travel around the world, are open to the greater Kutztown community. We do this
to bring in people so that they can understand more about each culture we try
represent. Everyone is welcome to come try new events, experience things they
never would’ve thought to experience before.
UR: What are the points of pride in your department?
RB: I’m proud of our graduate assistants, our office manager,
and our student workers. When we put a program together, everyone is involved.
We make a great team. I think we pull off some very interesting events that are
not just fun, but educational as well.
DT: I’m proud of the amount of events that we offer, the
welcoming atmosphere, and the fact that I’m always able to learn something new.
LA: This place brings up leaders. When I first started
coming here, I didn’t have any type of skills, like time management or the
ability to run an organization. Being here has helped me learn those skills, as
well as learn how to be open to all types of people. All types of students come
in every day, so interacting with them has helped me grow as a person.
MK: I’m proud of how diverse our staff is. I think that we
should also pride ourselves on our ability to provide different types of food
from all over the world. A lot of students come to our events for the food, but
then end up learning something about that culture and wanting to become more
involved with the MCC.
UR: What would you like people to know about your
department that they may not know already?
RB: I think a lot the campus community already knows that
we’re diverse; but, unfortunately sometimes when people think of
multiculturalism, they just think it’s for people of color. Multiculturalism is
supposed to be inclusive. So, I think we do have some students and even
employees who are hesitant to interact with us and participate in our
activities because they’re not sure if it’s supposed to be for them. It is!
LA: You are welcome here. We really can’t stress it enough.
Anyone can come and enjoy themselves. Don’t be scared by our name – we’re very
nice!
DT: If you have an event idea for something that isn’t
currently represented at KU that you’d like to see represented, you can pitch
the idea to us. We’d be happy to talk to Rhonda or Miss Faith about it and see
what we can do to help.
UR: How can the campus community learn more or become
involved with your department?
RB: They can learn about us through social media. We post
things on Snapchat and Facebook, one of our students makes radio announcements,
and we post flyers in the residence halls and departments about our upcoming
programs. To get more actively involved with our office, KU students can join
our outreach program with the Reading School District. Through this program, we
bring in high school students three times a semester to shadow KU students,
which is when they’ll attend college classes so that they can understand what a
college classroom is like. The primary reason we bring them here is so that
they can get acclimated to college life, which takes some of the fear of
college away and makes them more comfortable in the environment. It helps them
understand that college isn’t just for other people – it can be for them as
well. KU students can also get involved by attending our leadership academy
workshops every other week, or by attending the fun events like salsa lessons.
Faith and I both have open door policies, so anyone can always come in, see
what’s going on, and find out how they can participate.
MK: We post a lot on social media, especially Instagram. I
actually go on KUR weekly to make sure students, faculty and staff know what
events we have to offer that week. Our events are also featured on the potty
paper.
LA: I try to support other organizations’ events, and I
always mention the MCC while I’m there. Connecting with other organizations and
maintaining positive relationships with them is primarily how I spread the word
about what we do outside of social media.
DT: We also have a weekly email newsletter that we send out
to people who attend our events. If you’d like to attend or know more about us,
you can always email us and ask to be put on the list.
UR: What’s your favorite thing about your KU experience?
RB: KU has been good to me. I’ve met some amazing people
along the way, and had great mentors and wonderful students who really care
about their fellow students and the environment at Kutztown. I’ve had a number
of different opportunities that I probably wouldn’t have had if I worked
somewhere else.
LA: I’ve grown a lot as a person here on this campus. When I
first got here, I was very shy. The MCC was the first organization I found on
campus, and coming here helped me become more active and aware. I learned how
to network, and that’s such a valuable asset.
DT: I’ve definitely grown to be more involved on campus. The
MCC has helped me learn how to take on and balance different roles in my life.
I’m much better at managing time and I’ve become much more responsible, which
will be great for future job opportunities.
MK: I’ve become much friendlier and gotten better at
networking. I’ve made a lot of connections and new friends since I transferred,
and now I know that I’ll be able to continue doing that throughout the rest of
my career.
UR: What does “It’s Good to be Golden” mean to
you?
RB: I think golden is a state of mind, like when you’re
clear-headed, relaxed and focused, but I also think it means that it’s good to
be part of the KU community.
MK: It’s good to be a part of Kutztown.
LA: It’s good to be a golden bear!
DT: I think it means that it’s good to live up to your full
potential. Being at KU helps you gain that potential so that you can keep on
going once you leave.
KUDOS is published twice monthly by the office of
University Relations. All issues can be found at www.kutztown.edu/KUDOS.
For questions or more information, contact University Relations at UR@kutztown.edu.
Family photo shoots will be available at Reading Public
Library’s Main Library and three branches from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday,
April 6, 2019.
The event is being held in collaboration with Barrio
Alegria’s Leadership Cohort. Photos, being shot by community-based photographers,
will be available for pick-up at a future date.
The photo shoot and finished photo will be free with the
only restriction being that the photo depicts the family involved in a
literary-based activity such as reading together.
Allies of Kutztown University will present its annual Allies Drag Show on Thursday, April 4, at 7 p.m. in Schaeffer Auditorium.
This year’s show, sponsored by the Association of Campus Events, will feature Bible Girl with special guests Elektra Fearce St. James, Ophelia Hotass, Onyx Black, Sharron Ann Husbands and Leo Monroe. The show will also feature a variety of student drag and music performers. The event is free and open to the public.
All donations collected at the event will benefit Bradbury Sullivan LGBT Community Center and Novus ACS.
Bible Girl is the stage name of Zack Ryan, an American drag performer and larger than life social media presence. He is best known for being the CEO of www.dragqueenmerch.com.
Bradbury Sullivan LGBT Community Center creates a vibrant community for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community in the Lehigh Valley through life-enriching LGBT arts & culture programs, leading-edge LGBT health programs, daily LGBT youth programs, critical supportive services, an annual regional pride festival and an informative Training Institute.
Novus ACS was designed to meet the needs of sexually active adults providing quality, affordable care to patients regardless of gender, sexual identity, gender expression or sexual orientation.
For more information on the event, contact Christine Price, director of the KU GLBTQ Resource Center, at price@kutztown.edu or 610-683-4655.
