ESU Selects Student Speakers for Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies

Katherine Reardon, a graduating English major and theatre minor from Rockaway, N.J., is East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania’s student speaker for the spring commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 7, at 8:45 a.m. in Koehler Fieldhouse, and Chantal Fulgencio, a graduating political science major and French and Spanish minors from Stroudsburg, Pa., is the student speaker for the spring commencement ceremony at 1:45 p.m.

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.

Reardon transferred to ESU in the fall of 2013. When she stepped foot on campus, she knew she wanted to get as involved as possible. She became a tutor at the ESU writing studio, a member of Sigma Tau Delta, a member of Stage II, the historian of Alpha Psi Omega, president of the Musical Theatre Organization, a member of the National Honor Society of Leadership and Success and a sister of Alpha Sigma Tau. Reardon also competed at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, where she was chosen to be a featured performer in the Musical Theatre Cabaret. Reardon was also Homecoming Queen in 2015, and raised $1,570 for Project Turkey, a Greek initiative aimed at helping families in need during Thanksgiving. “By joining these clubs, honor societies and organizations, I have gained so many wonderful community service and social opportunities,” she said. “My professors have given me an invaluable education and they have inspired and encouraged me to pursue my dream of being a performer,” she said.

As a theatre minor, Reardon found a second home within the theatre department. She has played the roles of Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz, Bird Girl in Seussical the Musical, Eurydice in Eurydice and Luisa in The Fantasticks.

“Katie is truly one of ESU’s shining stars,” Margaret Ball, D.M.A., associate professor and chair of theatre, said. “She is a gifted performer and a passionate English scholar who has served ESU in an exemplary fashion.”

Reardon credits ESU for giving her the skills she will need to succeed in her future.

“My college experience has been unforgettable,” she said. “I am proud to be an ESU student and a member of the 2016 graduating class.”

Like Reardon, Fulgencio never expected that her experience at ESU would change her life. After getting involved with the Student Senate her first semester, she realized that she wanted to make a difference during her time on campus.

“I became the poster child for getting involved,” she said. “It really shaped and enhanced my entire college career.”

During her time at ESU, Fulgencio was an Orientation Leader, a campus Tour Guide, served on the Student Senate Executive Board as the Secretary and Vice President respectively, President of the Spanish Club, a member of the Feminist Alliance, the Warrior Elite, and the International Student Organization. In the fall semester of her senior year she also interned at the Pennsylvania State Capitol for Senator Vincent Hughes in Harrisburg, Pa.

“Since arriving on ESU’s Campus, Chantal has been one of the most active and socially conscious students that I know,” Annie Mendoza, Ph.D., assistant professor of Modern Languages, said. “She has embodied the goals and mission of the university.”

For Fulgencio, the experiences she had at the university helped her grow both personally and professionally “in the best way possible.”

“I could not have accomplished any of these things without the support of my family, friends, professors, mentors and the amazing ESU community,” she said.

Fulgencio wants every student to know that they should never underestimate the power of their presence.  “We all have the ability to effect change, make change and be that change,” she said.

Search

Recent Posts