ESU Backup Insider

Kelley Y. Bahata, a graduating communication major from York, Pa., is East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania’s student speaker for the spring commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 6, at 8:45 a.m., and Erin Bienkowski, a business management major with a concentration in accounting from Jackson, N.J., is the student speaker for the spring commencement ceremony at 1:45 p.m.  Both ceremonies will be held in Koehler Fieldhouse.

Undergraduate student speaker candidates must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average entering the spring semester; a demonstrated record of service to the university community and a record of leadership and cooperation; demonstrated evidence of meaningful extra/co-curricular involvement and must be in good academic standing.

Bahata came to ESU as a transfer student her sophomore year, and completed the work for her bachelor’s degree in three years. She actively sought out internship opportunities in the community and on campus. Bahata interned in the office of university relations and worked as a public relations assistant in the office of economic development and entrepreneurship. She served as president of ESU’s chapter of Public Relations Student Society America, and was the student co-chair of The Big Reveal, an event held in January 2017 to introduce the university’s new mascot.

Bahata, the daughter of an immigrant, attributes her drive and work ethic to her parents, whose own passion have influenced her to conquer the world.

Bienkowski began her education at ESU as an early childhood education major. She volunteered with the organization E with J, tutoring elementary school students in math and reading. Her senior year, Bienkowski found herself changing her major to accounting. She developed and co-founded ESU’s Accounting Society.

Her time at ESU was immersed in community. Bienkowski was the president of the community board for Hawthorn Suites, a member of Monroe County Habitat for Humanity and a member of the contemporary dance team. This year she also volunteered with the Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program through the IRS, where she spent several nights a week during tax season preparing tax returns free of charge for residents of the community.

Bienkowski, also the daughter of an immigrant, says her mother always implored her to be the best version of herself.