Tower-Fall-2020

FALL 2020 | TOWER 5 Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) Lab Dedicated Kutztown University Awarded $194,000 Gear Up Grant The Kutztown University Foundation (KUF) held a dedication ceremony for The Fred and Martha ’02 Hafer Scanning Electron Microscope Laboratory on Nov. 2, 2019. The microscope, which can magnify to the order of 2 million times and is an essential tool for interdisciplinary research, will be used by the biology, chemistry, geology, physics, anthropology and art departments. “We are so grateful to the Hafer family for this extraordinary gift,” said Alex Ogeka, executive director, KUF. “The addition of the SEM Lab is expected to increase recruitment and solidify retention, increase scholarly productivity among students and faculty, and build bridges between KU and regional technology-focused industries.” More than $194,000 in funds and materials was awarded to KU through the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) grant. The grant will fund KU’s GEAR-UP Summer Bridge program (GSB), providing support in conjunction with the Summer Talent Academy for Rising Stars (STARS) program for participating students. KU earned the grant with the proposed implementation of the GSB program, based on its affiliation with the established, effective STARS program. The STARS program supports selected incoming freshmen and is designed to famil- iarize them with the rigor of KU’s academic experience. It includes mentorship, advisement, support, and social activities. academics Left to right: Fred Hafer Jr. ‘86; Martha Hafer ’02; Dr. Kenneth S. Hawkinson, KU president; Dr. David Beougher, dean, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences; and Alex Ogeka, KUF executive director, cut the ribbon at the opening of the new SEM lab.