By Amanda Sergeyev
Dr. Hawkinson welcomes and encourages community members and KU students to join him on a walk with Wynnie around campus.
These walks take place on a regular basis. The most recent walk was on September 12. The KU community met at the President’s House at 5:30 p.m. Beverages and cookies were provided for people in attendance along with water and treats for the dogs.
President Hawkinson began the event and had everyone introduce themselves along with their dog.
First, Mrs. Hawkinson introduced Wynnie and said, “She’s four years old and she’s with us at about every university event we can take her to.”
The walk starts at the patio of the President’s House and continues past the Student Union Building, making a full circle around the academic side of campus. The walk continues down the DMZ and ends back at the President’s House.
“The thing that’s nice about the DMZ is that there will be quite a few students on their way to the south dining hall. So they will all want to come over and pet your dogs,” said President Hawkinson.
The concept of “Walking with Wynnie” began after President Hawkinson was inspired by a book he read about another university president taking his dog out to walk in the early morning while creating a connection with the community.
Teresa Kramer of Fleetwood, Pa. said she came out to get the dogs to socialize. “We’ve met Wynnie before. She’s a cute dog,” said Kramer. She heard about Walks with Wynnie in the university’s Daily Brief.
John and Laura Studenroth of Blandon, Pa. were Kutztown residents for 25 years and saw the event in a
Kutztown Community Partnership email.
John Studentroth said, “It’s the first time I’ve heard about it.” Reflecting back on his favorite part of the event, he said, “Meeting the lady from Rennigers and creating [a] connection with her.”
