By Jodi Wagner
KU unveiled its chalkboard project between the Rohrbach Library and the McFarland Student Union on Sept. 1 at 11 a.m. as a part of its sesquicentennial celebration. The chalkboard entitled “Unrivaled Past, Unlimited Future,” caught the attention of students, faculty and staff.
Students left their mark. Mackenna Lynch, senior, said, “I found the chalkboard project a great idea for students to get involved with the sesquicentennial. You could see how much students enjoy going [to KU]; I could feel the KU pride all around me.”
This event not only brought students out to support their alma mater, but it also caught the attention of faculty and staff. Dr. Kenneth Hawkinson, KU’s new president, took an interest and contributed to the chalkboard project.
He wrote, “Through these doors walk some of the world’s most important people.” Hawkinson’s action did not go unnoticed by KU students.
Lauren Sobczak, senior, said, “It is incredible to be learning under the president who is so interested in the livelihood of the students and whose support is immediately clear. The
president signing the board really embodies his commitment to student welfare and to education.”
The chalkboard consists of four sections that include prompts for students to respond to: “A word of advice for future students,” “The person who made a difference,” “What I learned about myself” and “One thing I will take with me.”
The chalkboard will be up for the 2015-2016 school year for students to sign at their discretion. The board is cleaned everyday by the Miller Gallery staff.
During the event, SGB and KUPA assisted the university relations staff by handing out aesquicentennial lanyards and aesquicentennial event calendars to students, faculty and staff. SGB and KUPA members also encouraged students to pick a prompt and respond on the chalkboard. KU provided students with free Kona Ice snow cones at the event.
Students, faculty and staff at KU are encouraged to spread the word about KU sesquicentennial events through social media. The hashtag for the sesquicentennial is #KutztownU150.
To learn more about KU’s sesquicentennial events, visit http://www.kutztown.edu/events/150.htm.