KU hosts 150th birthday party
Sen. Schwank, Rep. Day, Kutztown mayor present citations in honor of anniversary
Kutztown University hosted a 150th birthday party at Alumni Plaza on Sept. 15, with a 1866 United States replica flag flying in front of Schaeffer Auditorium.
University President Dr. Kenneth Hawkinson said Kutztown University has reached a milestone, 150 years after being established in 1866.
“These milestones are not only times for celebration but also times for reflection on all the contributions our community and university have made to enhance the lives of citizens and students over these many, many years,” said Hawkinson to a crowd of KU students, alumni, administration, faculty, and trustees, as well as community members and legislators. “Milestones also remind us of the responsibility we have to continue to provide a quality educational experience...”
Hawkinson said the university was founded as Keystone State Normal School on Sept. 15, 1866, “To provide those teachers who would teach the young people of our nation to read, write and cipher, and to provide them with opportunities to learn and grow beyond that of the generations that came before them.”
As the years went by, KU not only produced teachers but also scientists, mathematicians, computer scientists, communications specialists, and those in art, business and many other fields, he said.
“We have adapted to the needs of our nation and will continue to do so as we move forward into the future,” said Hawkinson. “We will continue to strive to provide a high quality, affordable education to our students.”
In honor of the 150th birthday and the three counties the university originally served, all students from Berks, Schuylkill and Lehigh counties will have their application fee waived through Oct. 17.
“As a Kutztown alumnus, this is a special day for me, as it is for all members of the Council of Trustees,” said KU Council of Trustees President Dr. Charles Blocksidge, who was a student when Kutztown State College celebrated its Centennial in 1966. “The slogan was A Century of Achievement and a Preface for Tomorrow.”
Half a century later, Blocksidge said, “The University has embraced the latest technology, added state-of-the-art facilities... Today, our alumni are not only involved in education but in hun-
dreds of other professions throughout the Commonwealth and the nation.”
“Kutztown has helped me grow and has opened up doors of opportunity that perhaps would not have been available to me,” he said. “If they were here today, those who planned that Centennial celebration 50 years ago and my classmates, would all agree how proud they are of Kutztown University in 2016.”
Kutztown Mayor Sandy Green wished Kutztown University a happy 150th birthday. Proud to be serving as mayor during KU’s Sesquicentennial and Kutztown Borough’s Bicentennial, she hopes that when KU celebrates its Bicentennial, she hopes Kutztown’s future mayor “takes joy in being the mayor and has as much passion and love for the Kutztown community and the university as I do.”
On behalf of Kutztown Borough, Green presented to Hawkinson a plaque congratulating KU “on the true milestone of celebrating 150 years of higher education in our hometown.”
State Senator Judy Schwank said, “What a nice day for a birthday party. What a celebration. It’s been a wonderful way to highlight how important this institution is in our community, in our region and in our Commonwealth.”
Schwank is a member of the Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education Board of Governors.
“I burst with pride when I sit at those Board of Governors meetings and talk about what Kutztown is doing, the accomplishments that we’re achieving. The things that students in all kinds of majors are accomplishing is a part of this wonderful institution. You truly, Kutztown University, have fulfilled that mission of providing a high quality education at a low cost. That was the mission of Act 188 (in 1982). You’ve done that and you’ve gone beyond it.”
Schwank presented a citation on behalf of the Senate in honor of the Sesquicentennial.
“We’re celebrating a birthday today but think of all the accomplishments, the achievements, not only the students but the university, we will make as we go into the future,” said Schwank.
Also presenting a citation was Rep. Gary Day on behalf of the House of Representatives.
“I think about what this institution means to the individual. It gives people the knowledge to grow individually and also I think about all the students, alumni, people who’ve gone here for a few classes,” said Day, a Penn State graduate who also took courses at KU. “What a great experience just taking those classes here.”
“Today we’re trying to speak to future students as well. What is happening here on campus today will be put into a time capsule and hopefully people in the future will be able to look back ... learn what it was like to be here now.”
Sesquicentennial Celebration co-chairs Guido and Susan Pichini added items to the time capsule, as did Hawkinson who wrote a letter to the KU President of 2066. Student Government Board President Molly Gallagher wrote a letter to a future KU student. Also in the capsule are things like a copy of the Tower, the Keystone, a letter from a visually impaired student written in braille, photos of the campus, and a copy of the history documentary done by electronic media. The time capsule was buried in Alumni Plaza.
Concluding the celebration, the Kutztown University Marching Unit lead attendees in the singing of Happy Birthday and the KU Alma Mater. Cake and ice cream was served.
Later that night, Tony Award-winning Broadway star Kelli O’Hara presented a concert in Schaeffer Auditorium to cap off a 13-month celebration.