ESU Announces University Leadership and Service Award Winners

Service and leader Awards

Posted by: Elizabeth Richardson on May 10, 2021, No Comments

Graduating seniors Jennifer Estright and Brandon Teel have spent their years at East Stroudsburg University with a desire to lead and serve others.

Estright, a communication and sciences disorder major from Norristown, Pa., was awarded the University Service Award for the 2020-21 academic year. Teel, a sport management major from Philadelphia, Pa., was awarded the University Leadership Award.

The University Leadership and Service Awards are the highest non-academic honor a graduating senior can receive for their work as a leader in cocurricular activities on campus or in participation in activities and services off campus. To be eligible, applicants must have held office or demonstrated participation in a minimum of three clubs, activities, and committees, have a grade point average of 2.6, and be in good standing.

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

Estright served as secretary of the sign language club, vice president of Autism Speaks U, a member of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association, a front desk receptionist in Sycamore Suites, and a sand volleyball participant. Being involved in the campus community helped shape Estright during her college years, instilling in her leadership skills she will take with her in her future.

“The skills and situations I experienced will help me in my future as a speech therapist,” Estright said. “Interacting with people daily at the front desk enhanced my interpersonal skills that I will use with my future clients. I will be able to connect better with my clients who are diagnosed with autism or a hearing impairment because of my experiences with sign language and Autism Speaks U offered at ESU.”

Teel served as treasurer and president of the Black Student Union, a league official and sport supervisor for campus rec and wellness, a member of the ESU presidential search committee, a member of the SAA board of directors, the organizer of the first Warrior Hoop Jam, president of the cultural Greek council, president of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, senator, treasure and finance chair of Student Government Association, a member of the Black History Month planning committee, a member of the Moses Society, a member of the Residence Hall Association, and an assistant instructor at Stoney Acres.

“My purpose is to leave ESU better than how I found it,” Teel said. “My compassion goes hand in hand with my purpose. It was a great privilege seeing my peers trusting me when they hit a roadblock. I was able to help them come up with solutions.”

ESU awarded 979 undergraduate and graduate degrees at separate commencement exercises for the class of 2021 on May 7 and 8.