Tower Magazine Winter 2016

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Winter 2016 | TOWER 7
PICHINI TO BE AWARDED HONORARY
DOCTORATE
PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION TO HIGHLIGHT SPRING
SESQUICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION AT KU
The Kutztown University
Council of Trustees has
announced they will award
an honorary doctor of laws
degree to Guido Pichini ’74
during the April inauguration
of KU President Dr. Kenneth
S. Hawkinson.
Pichini was elected to a
fifth consecutive term as chair-
man of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education’s
Board of Governors in July. Four years ago he became the
first State System university alumnus to chair the board that
oversees the State System.
“We are truly pleased to recognize the many efforts of Guido
Pichini through the presentation of an honorary doctorate,”
said Jack Wabby ’68, chair of the Kutztown University Council
of Trustees. “His years of generous service to the State System
and Kutztown University are unparalleled, and we are truly
proud to call him an alumnus. We are forever grateful for his
time, commitment and unwavering dedication.”
“Guido is the epitome of the successful graduate,” said
Hawkinson. “A first generation college student, he has honored
us through his success in business, government, service to his
community and philanthropy. He and his wife Susan have
tirelessly given of their time and effort.”
Kutztown University will hold the inauguration of
its 12th president, Dr. Kenneth S. Hawkinson, on
April 15, 2016, as a part of a full slate of activities that will serve
as the cornerstone for the institution’s ongoing Sesquicentennial
Celebration.
Hawkinson’s installation ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. in
Schaeffer Auditorium.The ceremony will be televised worldwide
on the web by the KU Electronic Media Department. After the
ceremony, a special reception is scheduled for the campus commu-
nity on the North Campus Quad, located behind Schaeffer.
Other activities being finalized at press time for the inau-
guration follow. Please note: the schedule is subject to change.
Be sure to visit for
changes, updates and webcast information:
The special KU Presents! concert onThursday evening,April 14,
featuring Tony Award nominated singer and actor Ramin
Karimloo.
“I am honored and humbled to be awarded an honorary
doctorate,” Pichini said. “Our universities and the State System
are the backbone of higher education in the commonwealth.
They make getting a degree possible for students who would
normally not be given the opportunity to do so.This honor
represents all the graduates of Kutztown University and the State
System whose lives have been changed by a college degree. It
also represents the faculty, staff, administration, trustees and
volunteers, who spend countless hours to change the lives of
our students.”
Pichini is president of WSK &Associates of is
a member and former chair of the Council of Trustees at KU and
the former chair of the Pa. Association of Councils of Trustees.
Pichini earned a bachelor’s degree in education/political
science, and completed graduate studies in public adminis-
tration at KU. He also graduated from Wilson College with
certification in the minor judiciary, attaining the highest grade
in the history of Pa. He served two terms as a councilman in
the Borough of Wyomissing Hills and four terms as mayor.
Pichini served as a member of the Pa. Workforce Investment
Board and as a member of the Post-Secondary Education
Advisory Commission.
Pichini and his wife Susan are honorary co-chairs of the
KU Sesquicentennial Celebration.
BearFest 38.This four-day tradition features activities geared
toward KU students.The event will be held April 13–16 —
a week earlier than usual — to coincide with the inauguration.
Spring SportsFest, an initiative of the Sesquicentennial
Celebration, will be held April 15–16 at North Campus baseball
and softball complex and KU tennis courts, and will feature free
giveaways and food for fans in attendance.
The KU Academic 150 Series will include Jonathan Bean,
Author/Illustrator, Friday, April 15 at 2 p.m. in McFarland
Student Union as a part of KU Children’s Literature Conference.
The KU football spring scrimmage will be held on Saturday,
April 16 at 1 p.m. in Andre Reed Stadium.
The Kutztown Community Block Party on Sunday, April 17.
The block party is a free community event organized with the
Kutztown Community Partnership, which will provide fun for
the whole family.
Guido Pichini ’74