ESU Announces University Leadership Award and University Service Award Winners

Posted by: admin on May 11, 2015, One Comment

When graduating seniors Justin Amann and Efia King first walked on campus at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, they made a promise that they would empower students to change their lives.

“I wanted to make a difference in the lives of the over 6,000 students enrolled at ESU,” Amann said.

A passion for serving students and a dedication to the university earned Amann the University Leadership Award at the spring commencement exercises on Saturday, May 9.

The University Leadership Award is the highest non-academic honor a senior can receive for performance in demonstrating leadership in student officer positions and in other extra-curricular activities.

Like Amann, King wanted to make an impact at ESU. She received the University Service Award at the commencement ceremony. The University Service Award is presented to an outstanding senior who has demonstrated exceptional service to the university through on-campus extra-curricular activities.

“During my time on campus I’ve strived to advocate for the things I believe in such as education and equality,” she said. “My desire is to make a positive impact on the people I encounter every day.”

To be eligible for either award, a student must have attended the university for at least two years and have a cumulative grade point average of 2.60 or above.

Both award recipients were immersed in student life during their time on campus.

Amann, a history major from Bethlehem, Pa., was quick to join the Student Senate at the university, becoming Student Senate President by his third year. He was a board member of the Student Activity Association and served as chair in 2013 – 2014. He served on the following university committees: vice president of enrollment management search, president’s strategic plan steering committee, one book, one campus, retention committee, and university senate and student affairs sub-committee. He was also a teaching assistant and most recently a student worker in the department of institutional research. Working closely with university administrators, he admits his voice was always the loudest in the room.

“At ESU, I found my passion in advocating for students who might not have had a voice,” he said. “I made a promise to myself when I first began my collegiate life that I would work to strengthen the future of college students to help them find their passions, face defeat and rise to their potential — ESU helped me make that happen.”

King, a communication studies and sociology major from Philadelphia, Pa., was Chair of Student Affairs and Vice President of Student Senate. She was also involved with the Feminist Alliance, Pre-law Society, Residence Life, Orientation, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, and the Go Green Committee. She also played a role in planning the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast and African American Heritage month.

“I have always had a desire to help others and make a positive impact,” she said. “My time at ESU has been a multifaceted learning experience that has allowed me to grow and develop into a better person.”

ESU awarded a total of 970 bachelor’s degrees and four doctorates, one of which will be conferred in August, in addition to 190 master’s degrees, 127 of which will be conferred in August.