Proposals
The Snyder Society would host events that would help members become more involved with literature, history, and aiding the community.
Mourning for their Classmate, 1895, Allentown Daily Leader. Allentown, PA.
The Book Walk
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On Novermber 14, 1968, Kutztown University shut down classes in order to relocate the inventory of books from the old library to the new. Students were excused from classes to help box up books and carry them across campus. The Snyder Society would propose a symbolic book walk, where collections of used and new books would be donated to different charities and schools in need.
Essence Magazine (1967). Essence Fine Arts & Literary Magazine archives.
Open-mic Night
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Kutztown literary magazines, like Essence Fine Arts & Literary Magazine and Shoofly, have brought open-mic nights to KU students for generations. If the Snyder Society would host either its own open-mic night or a joint open-mic night to bring together all of KU's literary students. The Snyder Society's event would be a twist on traditional readings. Students, faculty, and alumni will be invited to not only read their original work, but also the published work of former students. The Snyder Society would provide copies of old literary magazines and newspapers dating back to the 1880s (some may be copies due to sensitivity issues). This event will bring together the past and present in an innovative and exciting evening.
Mary Snyder's Grave at Schwarzwald Cemetery in Jacksonwald, PA (In Exeter). Photo by: Kathy Evans
The Mary Snyder Scholarship
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Mary Snyder inspired the founding members of the society because of her commitment to her education and her participation in the Philmanthean society. Unfortunately, Mary passed before she could receive recognition for her efforts. In her honor, students from her class wore badges during graduation to commemorate their classmate. The Snyder Society would like to further honor Mary by helping a student carry on her pursuits. The scholarship would be awarded to a student who shows exemplary academic performance in the arts and a commitment to aiding their community. This would be our way of honoring the memory of the student who inspired the creation of our society.
Proceeds
All donations and money raised would go to to funding the society, its community outreach, and the Mary Snyder scholarship.