Speech-Language Pathology Major Aralee Williams to Speak at ESU’s Spring Undergraduate Commencement Exercises

Posted by: admin on May 6, 2014, No Comments

Aralee Williams, a graduating speech-language pathology major from Bangor, Pa., is East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania’s student speaker for the spring commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 10, at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in Koehler Fieldhouse. Williams was selected from a pool of student speaker candidates.

Criteria for student speaker candidates includes: 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.

Williams currently has a 3.9 cumulative grade point average. Although her college education did not begin at East Stroudsburg University, she is grateful for the experiences she has had at ESU, the professors who have made a positive impact on her and all that she has learned.

“It is because of East Stroudsburg University that I have come this far academically and personally,” she said. “ESU has given me a new perspective and view of the world. I have a deep belief in the students and faculty here, and they have a deep belief in me.”

Williams has been a member of the Sign Language Club and Autism Speaks U. She also served as the secretary of the National Honor Society of Leadership and Success. Williams is currently the president of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association, a position Ann Millett, ESU assistant professor of speech-language pathology, said Williams has excelled at.

“Aralee naturally motivates the members and executive board with her enthusiasm,” Millett said. “Attendance is up at our meetings, as is the number of students who attend events and fundraisers and represent ESU at university summits.”

During her time with the Sign Language Club, Williams has helped teach preschoolers sign language. She has also organized fundraisers that pay for surgeries for children with a cleft palate and lip. In addition, Williams has developed an awareness campaign for traumatic brain injury.

“Aralee has demonstrated an above average proficiency in all of ESU’s student-learning outcomes,” said Susan Dillmuth-Miller, AuD., assistant professor of speech-language pathology. “She has become very involved in campus life as well as connected with her peers and the faculty. She has achieved a level of proficiency in these areas that I would like all my students to achieve.”