TowerFall2021

FALL 2021 | TOWER 29 STUDENT SPOTLIGHT that presents his artwork along with other great spots in town like the New Arts Program, The Kutztown Historical Society and the Kutztown Park.” The generosity of both Karen and Ken Ligammari leave a profound impact on campus. “Fred and I began collecting art, not just because we derive joy from it, but because it’s something we can share with friends and family when they visit,” said Ken. “Kutztown has been important to my family for decades, so it feels great to share Keith’s art at the campus. I am certain Keith would have wanted it no other way.” “I had such an excellent experience at Kutztown, and I’m proud to be able to give someone else that same opportunity,” said Karen. “I was very fortunate that my parents were able to pay for my education. I know that many may not have the opportunity for finan- cial support, and I feel very lucky to be able to help a future student pursue their dreams at a university as excellent as Kutztown.” Joey Strain ‘22 has lived out his dream of being a children’s book illustrator, and he hasn’t even graduated yet. While discussing an essay with Dr. Curtis Herr , English department, Strain shared his goal of illustrating children’s books. As luck would have it, Herr was looking for an illustrator for a book he was writing. Herr asked for samples of Strain’s illustration work, and now the duo have published “The Little Wolf Who Crooned to the Moon.” How does a college student achieve such lofty goals? According to Strain, it’s all about the people he’s met along the way. Building relationships has been an important part of his success. “Professors who have taken the time to meet with me and provide constructive feedback have really been the most important for my progress,” he said. In addition to building relationships, Strain has found success by living with an open mind and an eye to the future. “I feel like it’s important for people to put themselves out there,” he said. “You can get a head start even before you leave college. Whether it’s with internships or finding your own way, don’t feel like your career is such a faraway thing. It’s closer to reach than you think.” For artists, choosing between pursuing a degree or pursuing an art career without a degree can be difficult. “It was a tough decision, but it really came down to two factors: relationships and depth of knowledge,” Strain said. “The education I received at KU has been really important. The knowledge available here is much more worthwhile than what you’re able to just read online. Teaching yourself isn’t the same as learning from people who have done this for years and have really valuable information to share.” When choosing a college, Strain looked at schools in both urban and rural environments. Cities can be great places for artists to set up shop, but Strain has found peace in the surrounding farmlands of Kutztown. “A city is a really busy, bustling kind of environment, but in Kutztown, there’s space to go on your own and think about things and focus on yourself. There’s more time for meditation, remediation in a way,” Strain said. In addition to the setting, Strain was attracted to KU because of the community. “I’d say ‘down to earth’ is really the key experience I’ve had. It almost feels like living in a neighborhood in a way. It’s a different feel than other schools I went to and it’s more inviting.” You can see more of Strain’s work on his website: https://strainjoey.myportfolio.com . BY MARGARET GEHMAN ‘22