Cal U. alum to speak at commencement
A former California University of Pennsylvania administration and management major who has built a distinguished career as a certified public accountant returns to campus May 12 and 13 as the speaker at Cal U.’s 184th commencement.
Thomas L. Bakaitus Jr., Class of 1983, will deliver the commencement address at separate ceremonies for undergraduate and graduate students.
Graduate ceremonies begin at 7 p.m. May 12 in the Convocation Center. Master’s degree candidates are vested in their academic hoods during the ceremony. Undergraduate ceremonies start at 10 a.m. May 13, also in the Convocation Center.
Nearly 900 undergraduates and 400 graduate students have been invited to participate in commencement, although not all will attend. University President Geraldine M. Jones will confer the degrees.
Bakaitus, of Pittsburgh, is a CPA, partner and operating officer at Herbein + Company Inc., a CPA firm employing more than 180 people in eight offices across Pennsylvania.
A partner in the firm since 2001, Bakaitus is partner-in-charge of all aspects of Herbein’s Western Pennsylvania operations, managing the firm’s Pittsburgh, Greensburg and Allison Park offices. He also serves as assistant secretary of Herbein’s executive committee.
His experience includes individual, partnership, corporate and start-up tax planning and preparation, as well as client representation before federal, state and local taxing authorities.
Bakaitus earned his bachelor’s degree in administration and management at Cal U., where he was named the 2011 Alumnus of the Year by the College of Liberal Arts. He also holds a Master of Science in Taxation from Duquesne University.
Pittsburgh Magazine has recognized him as a Five-Star Wealth Manager in Individual Tax six times since 2010. The National Academy of Public Accounting Professionals selected him as one of the 2015 “Top 10 Public Accounting Professionals” in Pennsylvania.
Bakaitus also serves on the board of directors for the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh and Penn Technical Institute and is president of Piatt Place Home Owners Association.