Latest news with #Hawkinson
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kutztown University has a new president
The new leader of Kutztown University has been selected. The Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education on Wednesday announced that Dr. Philip Cavalier has been chosen as the school's new president. The appointment is effective July 6. Dr. Philip Cavalier Cavalier will succeed Dr. Kenneth S. Hawkinson who announced last year that he would retire this summer. Hawkinson has served as Kutztown's president since 2015. Cavalier currently serves as provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Tennessee at Martin, a regional public university with more than 7,000 students in northwest Tennessee. He also served as interim chancellor there for five months in 2023. 'Dr. Cavalier brings an exceptional breadth of experience as both an educator and a university leader,' Dr. Cynthia Shapira, PASSHE board chair, said in a statement announcing the appointment. 'Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a deep commitment to collaboration with students, faculty and staff, and he brings a strong background in strategic planning. Dr. Cavalier is passionate about fostering campus communities where all students, especially first-generation students, can thrive both in and out of the classroom. 'He will be an outstanding president for Kutztown University, and we are proud to welcome him to the state system.' Cavalier said he is thrilled to take the reins at Kuztown. 'I am thrilled to be selected to serve as the next president of Kutztown University and join a remarkable community of engaged scholars and professionals committed to transforming students' lives,' he said. 'During his 10 years of exemplary leadership, President Hawkinson has built a strong foundation for Kutztown. I look forward to collaborating with all the campus and external stakeholders to enhance Kutztown's reputation as a premier regional university in the northeast.' During his time at UTM, Cavalier led the creation of the school's 2025-30 strategic plan, two strategic enrollment plans and developed or enhanced eight academic programs aligned with student interests and local workforce needs. He also played a key role in boosting student retention and graduation rates, managed the university's largest budget and forged new partnerships with community colleges and regional employers, including a major collaboration with Ford Motor Co., officials said. Prior to his time at UTM, Cavalier held several faculty and senior leadership roles in higher education, including provost at Lyon College, provost and dean of the college at Eureka College and dean of general education at Catawba College. He as a Fulbright Scholar at Kyiv International University and Kyiv Slavonic University in Ukraine and a tenured faculty member in English at Catawba College. Cavalier holds a doctorate in English from the State University of New York at Buffalo, a master's degree in English from Northeastern University and a bachelor's degree in economics from Swarthmore College. Dr. Christopher Fiorentino, PASSHE chancellor, said Cavalier's vision for higher education is a perfect fit for the state system. 'Dr. Cavalier believes a quality higher education can change lives and should be affordable to every student who wants it, which aligns with PASSHE's mission,' he said. 'Kutztown is a dynamic institution, and he is the perfect person to lead the university. We are proud to welcome him to Kutztown and the state system.' Dennis Giorno, chair of KU's board of trustees, likewise said Cavalier is a great selection to lead the university. 'On behalf of the Kutztown University Council of Trustees, I am pleased to welcome Dr. Philip Cavalier as the 13th president of this great institution,' he said. 'Dr. Cavalier was selected after a six-month comprehensive nationwide search. He brings a wealth of experience to our campus, including 27 years in higher education as a professor, dean and provost. This most recently includes seven years at UT Martin, where he served as provost and senior vice chancellor for academic affairs and managed the institution as interim chancellor. 'We are confident he will further Kutztown University's mission and 159-year tradition of providing affordable high-quality undergraduate, graduate and lifelong learning opportunities to the students of our region and beyond.'
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wells native making a name for himself as he works with CVB to plan events, help the area where he grew up
Feb. 24—From a young age when he attended St. Casimir's School in Wells, Konrad Hawkinson was identified as someone who was going to make a difference in his community. At that age, he was awarded the Ben Bushlack Scholarship, created by Bushlack's family as a memorial scholarship to students who exhibit qualities of a strong, faith-filled life, give of their selves to others and have a love for the educational environment. Those same sentiments have carried through to adulthood, where Hawkinson now works in a visible role in the community as he helps plan community events and as an administrative assistant for the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau, Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce and Albert Lea Economic Development Agency. He was hired in the role three years ago. Hawkinson, 26, also owns a building in Wells that houses the community's gym, The Grind Fitness Center, which he oversees, as well as a few other rental units in the home he grew up in. He said at a young age, he learned from his mother, Angel, the importance of being kind to others, of being humble and being outgoing in his endeavors. His mother, who lives in Freeborn, continues to be an inspiration to him. After attending St. Casimir's for his primary education, Hawkinson went to high school at United South Central and graduated in 2016, after which he attended Riverland for two years and earned an Associate of Arts in web development. He said having an open-ended degree helped him be more flexible in his opportunities. After working for a few years at Wells Concrete, he worked for a brief period at KBEW in Blue Earth in sales, before applying for the job in Albert Lea. He said the CVB, chamber and ALEDA interviewed him at the same time, which he admits was a little overwhelming, and he was ultimately hired. "The joke was always help out where I can," he said, noting that the job has evolved through the years. He estimates 75% of his time is spent with efforts tied to the CVB, while 25% is spent on other administrative duties that overlap the three organizations. He said he is grateful to the people around him. "I knew that I am an outgoing and humble person, but I didn't realize how many others like me there are out there," he said. "There are a lot of nice people in our community who want to help people out." Of all the events he has helped to coordinate since his arrival, Hawkinson said he was proud to be a part of Albert Lea's first pride event. "That was really big," he said, not only for his friends in the area but also his friends in the Twin Cities who came down to attend. "It was exciting to be involved in something like that — to push forward and remind the young people that we can enjoy the rural areas still," he said. He also enjoyed planning the polka party and Oktoberween, which incorporated many volunteer hours and included everything from creating a website to building. "Konrad's bright and helpful energy transfers into his other work, not just behind the desk or answering questions that come into the office," said Holly Babcock, executive director with the CVB. "With event planning, especially community events like ours, it takes being creative and caring to ensure events are all-encompassing. He's been able to quickly grasp what it takes to be a great event and has taken what he's learned quickly and translated that into the planning and execution stages. I think he gets just as much pride and joy seeing all the planning and effort come together on event day as I do. It's so rewarding to watch him grow." Hawkinson said Babcock and Bob Furland with Albert Lea Recreation have been influential to him in his role and said they have provided him the tools and resources to be involved on a community level. "If not for them, I wouldn't be as helpful as I am now," he said. "What started out as 'Helping where I can' has blossomed into amazing connections and future opportunities." When asked why he stays in the area he grew up in, Hawkinson said he thinks it is easier for him to contribute here. "I find that contributing on a local level is far more impactful than — I'm sorry — complaining on the internet," he said. "It's just so much more impactful to be able to get involved on the ground floor," he said. Looking ahead to the coming year, he said he is excited to continue to work toward beautifying downtown Albert Lea. He said he is definitely interested in some day purchasing his own building in Albert Lea. Aside from his full-time job, Hawkinson volunteers as a mentor to an Albert Lea High School student, who he sees every week. He also teaches blockchain online from 6 to 8 p.m. a few days a week as a top-rated ambassador with the Super Prof platform. That opportunity has helped him connect with people from around the world.
CBS News
05-02-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Edina's down payment assistance program ends after 40 years
EDINA, Minn. — For over four decades, the city of Edina has helped teachers, nurses, first responders, and families achieve the dream of homeownership through its down payment assistance program. However, after years of success, the city announced the program will be suspended due to financial challenges, stemming from housing market changes. Since 2007, the program known as "Come Home 2 Edina" has lent a total of $8.7 million, helping 183 families purchase homes in the city, said Affordable Housing Development Manager Stephanie Hawkinson. But with the funding pool now depleted, city officials say the program is no longer sustainable. "It's not sustainable when you are lending out significantly more money than you are taking in, and this is the first time since the program started that this has happened," Hawkinson said. The program was designed to assist buyers by offering down payment loans, with the funds being replenished when homes purchased through the program were sold. Hawkinson said rising interest rates have led to a trend where homeowners are staying in their homes longer. "What once was considered their starter home is now becoming their forever home," she said. This shift is part of a broader trend, with homeowners across the U.S. staying in their properties longer. According to Redfin, the typical U.S. homeowner now spends nearly 12 years in their home, compared to just 6.5 years two decades ago. Industry experts attribute this to high interest rates, limited inventory and rising home prices, all of which have made it more challenging for buyers to find affordable homes. In Edina, the median home price has reached $700,000. Buyers, especially first-time homeowners, are feeling the pressure, with many struggling to afford a home in such a competitive environment. But despite the challenges, local real estate agents remain optimistic about the market's future. "The good news is that interest rates are stable right now. They've come down a little bit, so there's more inventory and more activity in the market," real estate agent Marcos Mojica Martinez said. Martinez encourages people considering homeownership to research all available assistance programs, at the local, county, state and federal levels. For many homeowners, the journey to finding their dream home remains a deeply emotional experience. "I've seen people crying when they finally get the keys," Mojica Martinez said. While Edina's down payment assistance program may be on hold for now, Hawkinson hopes it can eventually resume so more people can benefit.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Expert says Super Bowl unlikely to spread tuberculosis after KC outbreak
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — An infectious disease that's been spreading for some time, particularly on Kansas City's west side is now getting nationwide attention. News of a centered in Wyandotte and comes as likely tens of thousands of fans from the region are about to head to the Super Bowl which will be played indoors at New Orleans Caesars Superdome. Countless more fans will attend Super Bowl parties around the area. However, medical professionals say there's little reason to be concerned the Super Bowl will be a super spreader. It really comes down to how contagious tuberculosis is compared to other respiratory illnesses and where we seem to be on the outbreak's timeline. Flu map: These states are now at CDC's highest activity level Five years ago the Kansas City Chiefs won their first Super Bowl in 50 years and by some accounts may have slowed the spread of COVID-19. There's debate whether fans who attended the game a month before nationwide shut downs may have already been infected. But many of the earliest confirmed cases during that timeframe were in California. Instead of celebration in San Francisco, it was in Kansas City where hundreds of thousands crammed in to areas around Union Station for a Super Bowl parade and rally. Now it's the Kansas City metro, . FOX4 sat down with University of Kansas Hospital Infection Control and Prevention Medical Director Dr. Dana Hawkinson to find out if the game and celebrations pose a risk. 'Things like influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and those common cough and cold viruses they are still at fairly high levels in the United States. You are at significantly more at risk of getting one of those infections than you are tuberculosis,' Hawkinson said. Provisional numbers say 630 Kansans had latent tuberculosis in 2024, but those are people who don't have symptoms and can't spread it until the disease becomes active without treatment. KDHE data shows the biggest spike of latent cases was in March of last year, while new active cases spiked in June. Seven cases were listed as active on January 24 in Johnson County. Wednesday Johnson County said all its tuberculosis patients receiving treatment were no longer infectious. At last update, Wyandotte County had 60 active cases. If you are lucky enough to get Super Bowl tickets or have party plans and develop a cough, Hawkinson says it's no reason to immediately cancel. As always do your best to help reduce the spread of viruses by covering your cough, practicing proper hand hygiene and making sure you are fever-free. But if you truly have active tuberculosis your body has probably already been telling you. 'Those symptoms are prolonged things like cough and bloody cough, which is called hemoptysis, fevers and night sweats. These persist for several weeks to months. So I think that's distinctly different from someone who has cold and cough that may persist for 10 days,' Hawkinson said. See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri University of Kansas Hospital has been working with KDHE on contact tracing for months. That's a key way latent cases are discovered. According to medical professionals, tuberculosis differs greatly from COVID-19, cold or flu as it takes prolonged exposure to someone with active disease to get it, likely not someone coughing next to you, even if it is for a few hours. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Clinical trial finds three new ways to treat drug-resistant tuberculosis
Even with life-saving vaccines and antibiotics, tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the world's most deadly infectious diseases. Now, an international clinical trial has found three sew safe and effective drug regimens to treat antibiotic-resistant strains of TB. The results are detailed in a study published January 30 in the New England Journal of Medicine. TB is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs. It spreads through air droplets released when talking or coughing. It is very infectious and can remain in the air for several hours, depending on the environment. However, TB only spreads when a person is symptomatic. It can take on two forms once the bacterium infects a person. Active TB is when a patient has a long-standing cough, in addition to other symptoms including bloody phlegm, fever, and night sweats. In latent TB, the bacterium hibernates a person's lungs or somewhere else in the body. Latent TB is not contagious and doesn't cause symptoms. According to the Cleveland Clinic, roughly 10 million people became ill with TB and about 1.5 million people died from the disease globally in 2020. There were roughly 7,860 tuberculosis cases reported in the United States in 2021. Currently, an outbreak centered in the Kansas City, Kansas area has killed two people since it began last January. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported that 67 people are being treated for active TB and 79 have latent TB. 'We would expect to see a handful of cases every year,' Dr. Dana Hawkinson, an infectious disease doctor at the University of Kansas Health System, told the Associated Press. However, Hawkinson said that the high case counts in this current outbreak were a 'stark warning.' In October, the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Tuberculosis Report 2024 found that reported cases increased from 7.5 million in 2022 to 8.2 million last year. Disruptions to vaccination schedules due to the COVID-19 pandemic and drug-resistant strains were cited as potential reasons for the increases. Since it is a bacterial illness and not a virus like influenza, antibiotic resistance is a growing concern. Some TB strains are already resistant to rifampin, the most effective of the first-line antibiotics used to treat the disease. Rifampin and some other approved treatment regimens must be administered for years, require daily injections, and use some highly toxic medications that can come with severe side-effects. This new research is part of the endTB trial, a collaboration among Harvard Medical School, Partners In Health, Médecins Sans Frontières, and Interactive Research and Development. The endTB trial is one of four recent randomized controlled trials testing new, shorter, and less toxic treatment regimens for drug-resistant TB. The trials are using two fairly new drugs—bedaquiline and delamanid. The medicines were first brought to the market in 2012 and 2013 and were the first new medications for TB in almost 50 years. The trial launched in 2017 with 754 patients from India, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Lesotho, Pakistan, Peru, and South Africa. The goal was to improve treatment for patients with tuberculosis resistant to rifampin which sickens about 410,000 people each year. Only 40 percent are diagnosed and treated, 65 percent of them successfully, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). [ Related: How infectious diseases killed Victorian children at alarming rates. ] In the trial, endTB tested five new, all-oral regimens using bedaquiline and delamanid in combination with other drugs. The regimens were taken over nine months. A third drug–pretomanid–received emergency authorization from the FDA in 2019. However, it is not included in these trials. Three out of the five new regimens were considered successful for between 85 and 90 percent of patients with this treatment-resistent strain of TB. The control group was treated with longer treatments and was successful in 81 percent of cases. According to the team, the trial regimens were considered effective if they performed at least as well as the control group. The control group still received a well-performing standard of care in accordance with WHO recommendations. Two of the three new endTB regimens and another WHO-recommended regimen cost under $500, to meet a target set over 10 years ago. All of these innovations together could mean that shorter, all-oral regimens are available to more people than ever. 'This Harvard-led partnership among NGOs, ministries of health, and other academic partners identified three new regimens that will make lifesaving care dramatically more accessible,' Carole Mitnick, trial co-principal investigator and Harvard Medical School epidemiologist, said in a statement. 'We also resolved a critical question left open by pharmaceutical industry trials that brought bedaquiline and delamanid to market: How can these new drugs be used to shorten and simplify treatment while retaining efficacy?' According to Mitnick, poor treatment options and low-quality evidence previously have made it difficult to prevent some tuberculosis deaths. These new regimens take advantage of already approved drugs to expand and shorten treatment, minimize side effects, and treat patients using pills instead of daily injections. The endTB trials have since concluded.
