Southwick resident Lindsey Placek graduates with honors from Connecticut College
NEW LONDON, CT – Lindsey Placek was awarded a bachelor of arts degree from Connecticut College at the 96th commencement ceremony on May 18.
Placek graduated cum laude with a major in behavioral neuroscience and biological sciences.
Commencement Keynote Speaker Noah Feldman told the 461 members of the Class of 2014 that while today’s moment of celebration was wonderful, the real gift they had been given was four years of preparation for the rest of their lives.
“The whole point of the liberal arts education – that fragile, extraordinary, valuable thing which is being put in your hands and has been put in your hands – is to teach you to participate as full partners in the making of the world around you,” said Feldman, the Bemis Professor of International Law at Harvard Law School. “And that by definition can only happen through your taking up the stuff and the substance of your future lives and shaping it and making it your own.”
Prior to his speech, Feldman was awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters by Connecticut College President Katherine Bergeron.
Bergeron, who joined Connecticut College Jan. 1 and was inaugurated April 5, told the Class of 2014 they are part of a proud lineage of graduates who have done exactly what Feldman urged them to do: Used what they learned at Connecticut College to positively change the world.
Providence College awards undergraduate degree to Katie LogandDuring 96th commencement exercises
PROVIDENCE, RI – Katie Logan, a resident of Westfield, was among over 900 students from Providence College who received undergraduate degrees during the College’s Ninety-Sixth Commencement Exercises held on Sunday, May 18, 2014. Logan graduated with a bachelor of arts degree.
The Commencement address was delivered by Dr. Temple Grandin, an autism awareness advocate, leading innovator in the livestock industry, best-selling author, and engineer. She received an honorary doctorate in Science. Four other distinguished individuals received honorary degrees from the College. They are: the Honorable Francis J. Darigan, Jr. ’64, retired justice from the Superior Court of Rhode Island; Raymond M. Murphy, entrepreneur and philanthropist; Sister Margaret Ormond, O.P., Prioress of the Congregation of Dominican Sisters of Peace; and Carolyn Rafaelian, creator, designer and acting CEO of Alex and Ani.
Rachel Monroe of Southwick Graduates from Westminster School
SIMSBURY, CT – Rachel Monroe of Southwick graduated cum laude from Westminster School during the school’s commencement ceremony held May 24 on the campus in Simsbury.
Bridget Davidson Graduates From Mount Ida College
NEWTON, MA – Bridget Davidson of Westfield graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Mount Ida College’s May commencement ceremony.
Mount Ida celebrated the Class of 2014 and presented honorary degrees on Friday, May 16, 2014 during the undergraduate and graduate ceremony of the College’s 115th commencement exercises. 325 students turned their tassels to the left and had their degrees conferred.
Mount Ida presented honorary degrees to U.S. Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy III; Sarah-Ann Shaw, Boston’s first African American female broadcast journalist; and Steven H. Wright, Executive Partner, Holland & Knight’s Boston office.
Several prominent themes emerged during the commencement addresses. Graduates were urged to serve, pursue their dreams and promise to always believe that you’re never too young to change the world.
In his commencement address, Congressman Kennedy asked graduates to make a promise.
“What I ask of you today is that you won’t ever let anyone say the following four words to you: you are too young,” he said, met with resounding applause. “Promise that so long as you are blessed with it, you will wear your youth as a badge of honor.”
Worcester Polytechnic Institute Announces Spring 2014 Dean’s List
WORCESTER, MA – The following local students have been named to Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s Dean’s List for academic excellence for the Spring 2014 semester.
Benjamin Parent of Westfield is a freshman majoring in biomedical engineering.
Jay Ringenbach of Huntington is a senior majoring in environmental engineering.
Melanie Wiater of Southwick is a senior majoring in biomedical engineering.
Natalie Diltz of Westfield is a freshman majoring in mechanical engineering.
Thomas Hoctor of Westfield is a sophomore majoring in environmental engineering.
A total of 1,380 undergraduate students achieved the criteria required for WPI’s Spring 2014 Dean’s List. The criteria for the WPI Dean’s List differ from that of most other universities as WPI does not compute a grade point average (GPA). Instead, WPI defines the Dean’s List by the amount of work completed at the A level in courses and projects.
“WPI’s academic programs are remarkably rigorous, so being named to the Dean’s List is a testament to hard work, a sharp mind, and a commitment to excellence,” said Provost Eric Overström. “Some of this nation’s best and brightest students come to WPI to learn subjects ranging from engineering to science to business and the humanities, and through our innovative project-based curriculum they conduct professional-level research and solve important problems all over the world. Those named to the Dean’s List have excelled at facing such demanding challenges, and we are exceptionally proud of these outstanding students.”
Katherine Bozak Named to Dean’s List at Bob Jones University
GREENVILLE, SC – Katherine Bozak, a Senior Humanities major of Westfield, was among approximately 1,400 Bob Jones University students named to the Spring 2014 Dean’s List. To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must earn a 3.0 grade point average.
Olivia White of Southwick Named To St. Lawrence University Dean’s List
CANTON, NY – Olivia K. White of Southwick has been selected for inclusion on the Dean’s List for academic achievement during the Spring 2014 semester at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York. White, a member of the Class of 2017 at St. Lawrence, is majoring in English. White graduated from Southwick-Tolland Regional High School. To be eligible for the Dean’s List, a student must have completed at least four courses and have an academic average of 3.6 based on a 4.0 scale for the semester.
Southwick’s Ashley Armitage graduates from Emerson College in Boston
BOSTON, MA – On Sunday, May 11, Ashley Armitage of Southwick graduated from Emerson College. Armitage earned a BA in Media Studies.
At Emerson’s 134th undergraduate Commencement ceremony, approximately 900 bachelor’s degrees were conferred, and more than 300 master’s degrees were conferred during the graduate exercises. Jay Leno, an alumnus, author, producer, and former host of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, delivered the undergraduate address, and Scott Simon, author, journalist, and host of NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday, gave the graduate address. Both were presented with honorary degrees as were hunger relief advocate Catherine D’Amato, CEO of The Greater Boston Food Bank, and celebrated CNN news anchor Don Lemon.
Local Students Earn Degrees from the University of Vermont
BURLINGTON, VT – Some 2,904 students were awarded a variety of bachelor’s degrees during the University of Vermont’s 213th Commencement ceremonies on May 18. There were some 575 advanced degrees and certificates awarded by the UVM Graduate College and approximately 106 women and men took the oath of Hippocrates following the awarding of their M.D. degrees at ceremonies of the UVM College of Medicine. A list of local students and the degree earned by each follows:
Samantha Cole of Westfield Bachelor of Science, Professional Nursing, College of Nursing & Health Sciencesiences
Thomas Hibert of Westfield Bachelor of Science, Environmental Sciences, Rubenstein School of Environment & Natural Resources
Katherine Ritchie of Westfield Bachelor of Science, Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture & Life Science
Joseph Stevens Makes Spring 2014 Dean’s List at Washington College
CHESTERTOWN, MD – Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland, has announced its Dean’s List for the Spring 2014 semester.
Joseph Stevens ’16, English major from Blandford was recognized for academic excellence and achieving a grade point average of 3.5 or higher for the semester.
Students Named to the University of Vermont Dean’s List
BURLINGTON, VT – To be named to the dean’s list, students must have a grade-point average of 3.0 or better and rank in the top 20 percent of their class in their respective college or school.
Sylvia Lane of Southwick
Samantha Cole of Westfield
Thomas Hibert of Westfield
Bryant O’Connor of Westfield
Katherine Ritchie of Westfield
Connecticut College announces dean’s list for local area
NEW LONDON, CT – The following local students have achieved Dean’s Honors, a recognition for students who have earned a grade point average of at least 3.65, or Dean’s High Honors, a recognition for students who have earned a grade point average of at least 3.77, for the 2014 spring semester at Connecticut College.
Nicholas Fantakis, a member of the class of 2016 at Connecticut College and resident of Westfield, achieved Dean’s Honors.
Lindsey Placek, a member of the class of 2014 at Connecticut College and resident of Southwick, achieved Dean’s High Honors.
Endicott College announces grants
BEVERLY, MA – The seventy-fourth commencement exercises of Endicott College were held on Saturday, May 24, with Anne Mosle as the distinguished commencement speaker and recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. Anne Mosle is a vice president at the Aspen Institute and executive director of Ascend at the Aspen Institute. Also receiving an honorary degree at the ceremony was Martha C. Farmer, PhD, President, CEO, and Co-founder of North Shore InnoVentures (NSIV).
Over 850 degrees were conferred to students at the master’s, bachelor’s and associate degree levels. The following students received degrees:
Shannon Mary Broderick is the daughter of Thomas & Gina Broderick of Westfield. Shannon majored in Hospitality Management and received a Bachelor of Science degree.
Mary E Kane is the daughter of Dan & Christine Kane of Westfield. Mary majored in Liberal Studies Teacher Licensure and received a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Zachary R Mullane is the son of Todd & Robin Mullane of Panama City, FL. Zachary majored in Physical Education and received a Bachelor of Science degree.
Local Students Named to Stonehill College Spring Semester Dean’s List
EASTON, MA – To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must have a semester grade point average of 3.50 or better and must have completed successfully all courses for which they were registered.
Courtney L. Birchall of Southwick, Devon F. Fitzgibbons of Westfield, and Victoria J. Ware of Chester.
Jacob Lane Graduates from Lycoming College
WILLIAMSPORT, PA – Jacob Lane, of Southwick, graduated from Lycoming College with a degree in criminal justice on May 4.
Thomas A. Barron Named to Dean’s List at Saint Michael’s College
COLCHESTER, VT – Thomas A. Barron, son of Theresa and Thomas Barron of Westfield, was named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2014 semester at Saint Michael’s College. Barron is a Senior English & Business Administration major at the liberal arts and sciences, residential Catholic college located in Burlington, Vermont, one of the top 10 college towns in America.
Students who complete a minimum of 12 credits and achieve a grade point average of at least 3.4 at the end of a semester are recognized for their scholarship by inclusion on the Dean’s List.
Barron graduated from Westfield High School before coming to Saint Michael’s.
