Kutztown, Pa. – The Kutztown University Foundation is pleased to announce the dedication of The Fred and Martha ’02 Hafer Scanning Electronic Microscope (SEM) Laboratory, a new facility on campus that will significantly increase the quality of research available to students and integrate visual science into classrooms by remote access and live analysis.
The Fred and Martha ’02 Hafer SEM Laboratory will be a focal point on campus, particularly within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
A scanning electron microscope (SEM) scans a focused electron beam over a surface to create an image. The electrons in the beam interact with the sample, producing various signals that may be used to obtain information about the surface topography and composition. This technology will be used by the biology, chemistry, geology and physics departments, but also for research in the anthropology and art departments. The addition of this facility is expected to increase recruitment and solidify retention, increase scholarly productivity among students and faculty, and build bridges between Kutztown University and regional technology-focused industries.
The Hafer family has a strong connection to Kutztown University. Fred and Martha Hafer co-chaired the 2007 Kutztown University Capital Campaign, and Fred received an honorary juris doctorate in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the community. He was a former president of the Kutztown University Foundation Board of Directors, and the delivered the commencement address to the class of 1996. Two of their sons earned degrees from KU: Fred Jr. ’86 majored in physics, and Craig M ’00 earned an MBA.
