People Making News

Huff Publishing Associates, LLC announced “Dreams of My Mothers” by local resident Joel Peterson as being recognized as a winner in the 18th annual Foreword Reviews’ INDIEFAB Book of the Year Awards.

Narrowed down from nearly 2,000 entries by an independent panel of librarians and booksellers, along with Foreword Reviews’ editorial staff, the winners in their respective categories are considered the year’s best books published by independent publishers, university presses and select self-published authors.
___________________

Lindsey Espe of La Cañada qualified for the spring 2016 dean’s list at Belmont University. Eligibility is based on a minimum course load of 12 hours and a quality grade point average of 3.5 with no grade below a C.
Approximately 38% of Belmont’s 5,600 undergraduate students qualified for the spring 2016 dean’s list.

Ranked No. 5 in the Regional Universities South category and named as a “Most Innovative” university by U.S. News & World Report, Belmont University is celebrating its 125th anniversary in academic year 2015-16. Founded in 1890, the University consists of more than 7,400 students who come from every state and more than 25 countries.
___________________

Sharon Kim of Glendale, majoring in media arts production, Lydia Lou of La Crescenta, majoring in marketing communications, and Emily Mccoy of La Crescenta, majoring in media arts production, have been named to Emerson College’s dean’s list for the spring 2016 semester. The requirement to make the dean’s list is a grade point average of 3.7 or higher.
On Sunday, May 8, Emerson College awarded approximately 970 undergraduate degrees and 350 graduate degrees during the college’s 136th commencement ceremonies.

Katie Mollica of La Crescenta earned a BA in writing for film and TV, and Connor Smith of La Cañada earned a BS in marketing communications.
Located in Boston, Massachusetts, opposite the historic Boston Common and in the heart of the city’s Theatre District, Emerson College educates individuals who will solve problems and change the world through engaged leadership in communication and the arts, a mission informed by liberal learning. The college has 3,750 undergraduates and 750 graduate students from across the United States and 50 countries.

___________________
Beau Srinivasan of La Cañada Flintridge presented original work at Ohio Wesleyan University’s 2016 Student Symposium. The second-annual event, held April 20, allowed students to share the breadth and depth of their OWU academic work, hone their professional presentation skills, and foster communication about future research projects and artistic creations.

Srinivasan presented “Mars: Visualizing Ancient Hydrology with Software and 3D Models.” Srinivasan was mentored by Ohio Wesleyan faculty Nathan Amador.
Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation’s premier liberal arts universities. Located in Delaware, Ohio, the private university offers 87 undergraduate majors and competes in 23 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Ohio Wesleyan combines a challenging, internationally focused curriculum with off-campus learning and leadership opportunities to connect classroom theory with real-world experience.

___________________
Erik Larson of Sunland graduated from the School of Law with a Juris Doctor during Creighton University’s commencement ceremonies on May 14 at CenturyLink Omaha. More than 1,700 degrees were conferred during the morning and afternoon ceremonies.

Creighton University enrolls 4,000 undergraduates and 4,100 graduate and professional students among nine schools and colleges.
___________________

Oregon State University held its 147th commencement on June 11 in Reser Stadium. OSU is one of the few large universities in the nation to hand out students’ actual diplomas during the commencement ceremony.
Local students graduating from Oregon State include La Crescenta residents Kristen T. Mascheroni, Bachelor of Science, cum laude, human development and family sciences and Kyle J. West, Bachelor of Science, construction engineering management; Montrose resident Lylliam A. Oberlander, Bachelor of Arts, sociology; Sunland residents Erica D. Blanchard, Bachelor of Science, civil engineering and Michael Bonyad, Bachelor of Science, electrical and computer engineering.

___________________
The University of Dubuque held its 164th commencement ceremonies on May 14 in the Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center as well as Heritage Center’s John and Alice Butler Hall on the UD campus. Degrees were conferred upon 413 undergraduate, graduate, and seminary students.

Megan Siepler of La Cañada received a bachelor of science in nursing, cum laude.
Founded in 1852, the University of Dubuque is a private, coeducational, professional University with a focus in the liberal arts.

___________________
Gavin Traber, molecular and cellular biology major at Harding University from La Crescenta, is among more than 1,300 University students included on the dean’s list for grades achieved during the spring 2016 semester.

The dean’s list is published each semester by Dr. Larry Long, University provost, honoring those who have achieved high scholarship. To be eligible, a student must be carrying 12 or more hours with a 3.65 or higher grade-point average and no incompletes.
Harding is the largest private university in Arkansas and has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report for 22 consecutive years as a top 25 school in the South. Harding also maintains study abroad programs in Australia, Chile, England, France, Greece, Italy and Zambia. For more information visit www.harding.edu.

___________________
Catherine Adams of La Crescenta was named to Fort Lewis College’s dean’s list for the spring 2016 semester. Adams’ major is English.

To be eligible for dean’s list, a student must carry a semester GPA of 3.6 or better in no fewer than 15 credit hours of graded college level work and have completed all work for which they are registered by the end of the semester.
Fort Lewis College is located in Durango, Colorado.

___________________
Angela Gaignard of Sunland earned a spot on the spring 2016 president’s list at Southern Arkansas University. Gaignard was one of 225 students named to the spring president’s list. To qualify, a student must earn a 4.0 GPA for the semester.

Gaignard graduated summa cum laude from the College of Education with a Bachelor of Science degree. She was a senior athletic training major.
Southern Arkansas University is the fastest growing and most affordable university in Arkansas. SAU was also named the sixth most affordable small college in the U.S. by Bestvalueschools.com.

___________________
St. Olaf College recently honored Caitlin and Margaret Connell for their induction into a national honor society. The girls are both residents of the Crescenta Valley, graduates of Crescenta Valley High School and daughters of Brian and Gail Connell.

Caitlin was inducted into Blue Key, a national honor society that recognizes students for balanced and all-around excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service. She is majoring in environmental studies.
Margaret was inducted into Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society. She is majoring in political science, computer science.

One of the nation’s leading liberal arts colleges, St. Olaf offers a distinctive education grounded in academic rigor, residential learning, global engagement, and a vibrant Lutheran faith tradition. St. Olaf provides an uncommon educational experience that fully prepares students to make a meaningful difference in our changing world.
___________________

Kirstie L. Shurie of La Cañada received a Bachelor of Science degree with distinction in chemical engineering, with a business minor, and a sustainable energy systems engineering minor from Clarkson University on May 7.
Clarkson University educates the leaders of the global economy. One in five alumni already leads as an owner, CEO, VP or equivalent senior executive of a company. With its main campus located in Potsdam, New York, and additional graduate program and research facilities in the Capital Region and Beacon, New York, Clarkson is a nationally recognized research university with signature areas of academic excellence and research directed toward the world’s pressing issues.

___________________
During commencement ceremonies on May 23, Lehigh University conferred 1,159 bachelors’, 519 masters’ and 80 doctoral degrees. Of the nearly 1,700 graduates, degree recipients came from 39 states and 16 countries, majoring in 70 different disciplines.

Nicholas Stoffel of La Cañada Flintridge graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science & business, Kristy Koperski of La Crescenta graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and Kyle Ostrom of La Crescenta graduated with a Master of Science degree in Chemistry (AS).
The following students attained the dean’s list for spring 2016: Kristy Koperski of La Crescenta and Sidney Ro of Tujunga. This status is granted to students who earned a scholastic average of 3.6 or better while carrying at least 12 hours of regularly graded courses.

For 150 years, Lehigh University (lehigh.edu) has combined outstanding academic and learning opportunities with leadership in fostering innovative research. The institution is among the nation’s most selective, highly ranked private research universities. Lehigh’s four colleges – College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business and Economics, College of Education and the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science – provide opportunities to 7,000 students to discover and grow in a learning community that promotes interdisciplinary programs with real-world experience.
___________________

Baylor University conferred degrees on more than 2,500 graduates during spring commencement exercises May 13-14 in the Ferrell Center on the Baylor campus. Hailey Sue Myung of La Crescenta received a Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing degree.
Baylor University is a private Christian university and a nationally ranked liberal arts and research institution. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes over 16,000 students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.

___________________
Chad J. Rahtz of Tujunga was one of nearly 600 students awarded bachelor degrees from St. Lawrence University during Commencement ceremonies held on May 22 in Canton, New York.

Rahtz is a member of the Class of 2016 and majored in economics. Rahtz received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Rahtz graduated from St. Francis High School.
Founded in 1856, St. Lawrence University is a private, independent liberal arts institution of about 2,500 students located in Canton, New York. The educational opportunities at St. Lawrence inspire students and prepare them to be critical and creative thinkers, to find a compass for their lives and careers, and to pursue knowledge and understanding for the benefit of themselves, humanity and the planet.

___________________
Anna McGregor, Class of 2018 at Connecticut College, has been named to the dean’s list for the 2016 spring semester, achieving high honors. McGregor is a theatre major.

Situated on the coast of southern New England, Connecticut College is a highly selective private liberal arts college with 1,900 students from all across the country and throughout the world. The college, founded in 1911, is known for its unique combination of interdisciplinary studies, international programs, funded internships, student-faculty research and service learning. For more information, visit www.connecticutcollege.edu.
___________________

Bucknell University has released the dean’s list for outstanding academic achievement during the spring semester of the 2015-16 academic year. A student must earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a scale of 4.0 to receive dean’s list recognition.
Local dean’s list students are Stephanie Beck and Brandon Newquist of La Cañada Flintridge.

Located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, Bucknell University is a highly selective private liberal arts university that offers majors in the arts, engineering, humanities, management, and social and natural sciences, along with broad opportunities outside of class, to its 3,600 undergraduates.
___________________

The following local residents recently were initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines, at the University of Southern California: Rebecca Gaynon of La Cañada, Trevor Kehrer of La Cañada, Raymond Kim of Glendale, Ryan Lee of La Cañada, Arda Tchakian of La Crescenta and
Jennifer Wang of La Crescenta; from California State University-Long Beach – Hannah Levin of La Cañada Flintridge.

These residents are among approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10% of seniors and 7.5% of juniors, having at least 72 semester hours, are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.
Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine and headquartered in Baton Rouge, La., Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline honor society.

___________________
Lauren Guzman of Glendale and Abigail Salter of La Cañada earned placement on the Gonzaga University dean’s list for spring semester 2016. Students must earn a 3.5 to 3.69 grade-point average to be listed.

Caroline Treinen of Glendale and Monica Lyons of La Cañada earned placement on the Gonzaga University president’s list for spring semester 2016. Students must earn a 3.7 to 4.0 grade-point average to be listed.
Treinen, Guzman and Lyons participated in commencement ceremonies in May.

Gonzaga University is a humanistic, private Catholic University providing a Jesuit education to more than 7,500 students. Situated along the Spokane River near downtown Spokane, Wash., Gonzaga is routinely recognized among the West’s best comprehensive regional universities.
___________________

Courteney Campbell of Glendale made the dean’s list at Rockhurst University for the spring 2016 semester. This honor recognizes students who have achieved a grade-point average of 3.5 or above.
Rockhurst University is one of 28 Catholic, Jesuit universities in the United States.

___________________
Kirstie L. Shurie of La Cañada, a senior majoring in chemical engineering and pre-physical therapy, was named a presidential scholar for the spring 2016 semester at Clarkson University.

Presidential scholars must achieve a minimum 3.80 grade-point average and carry at least 14 credit hours.
Clarkson University educates the leaders of the global economy. One in five alumni already leads as an owner, CEO, VP or equivalent senior executive of a company. With its main campus located in Potsdam, New York and additional graduate program and research facilities in the Capital Region and Beacon, New York, Clarkson is a nationally recognized research university with signature areas of academic excellence and research directed toward the world’s pressing issues.

___________________
Shaun Tyler Troy of Tujunga made the Quincy University dean’s list for the spring 2016 semester. Honorees must earn a semester grade point average of at least 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) to be included in the biannual dean’s list. In total, 353 students received the honor during the spring 2016 semester.

Founded in 1860 by Franciscan friars, Quincy University (www.quincy.edu) is a Catholic, co-educational, residential university offering undergraduate, graduate, and adult education programs that integrate liberal arts, active learning, practical experience, and Franciscan values.
___________________

Maria Sherafatian of Glendale earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in human services from Springfield College for studies completed in 2016.
Springfield College also named Zhaklin Shaumyan of Tujunga to the dean’s list for academic excellence for the spring 2016 term. Shaumyan is studying human services.

Founded in 1885, Springfield College is known worldwide for the guiding principles of its Humanics philosophy-educating students in spirit, mind and body for leadership in service to others.
___________________

The following students graduated from the University of San Diego in May: Agassi Bagramyan of La Cañada Flintridge earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Delanie Dryden of Tujunga earned a bachelor’s degree in behavioral neuroscience and graduated magna cum laude, Carleigh Fernandez of La Crescenta earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and graduated summa cum laude, Adrineh Giragosian of La Cañada earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Samuel Honch of La Cañada earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering and graduated magna cum laude and completed the requirements for graduation in January of this year.

The University of San Diego is a Catholic institution of higher learning committed to teaching, the liberal arts, the formation of values and the creation of ethical leaders. Chartered in 1949, the school enrolls approximately 8,300 undergraduate and graduate full-time equivalent students.

___________________
Alexandria Battison of La Cañada Flintridge was honored by Lafayette College for academic excellence at the annual All-College Honors Convocation. Awards and prizes were presented to 138 students in all four of Lafayette’s academic divisions – engineering, humanities, natural sciences and social sciences.

Battison, a graduate of Westridge School, was the recipient of the William C. Rappolt ’67 and Walter Oechsle ’57 Neuroscience Prize, awarded to outstanding seniors based on scholarship in the classroom and laboratory and service to the major, college, or community.

Battison graduated from Lafayette College and earned a bachelor of science in neuroscience.
Lafayette is a highly selective, national liberal arts college in Easton, Pennsylvania with 2,450 students and 215 full-time faculty that offers a wide variety of undergraduate degree programs including engineering.

___________________
Daniel Andrus of La Crescenta earned a B.S. computer science from South Dakota School of Mines & Technology.

Over 350 students received their Bachelor of Science, Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy degrees at the school’s 173rd commencement ceremony.
___________________

Weston Foote of La Crescenta was one of 273 students to graduate from Cornell College in May.
Foote received a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology.

One of the 40 “Colleges That Change Lives,” Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, is a national liberal arts college with a distinctive One Course At A Time curriculum.
Cornell has been recognized by numerous publications for the value its education offers and for academic excellence.

___________________
On May 14, on the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) campus quadrangle in Massachusetts, 907 bachelor’s degrees were awarded during the university’s 148th commencement ceremony.

Andrew Weiler of Montrose was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical and computer engineering with high distinction and William Spurgeon of La Crescenta was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in robotics engineering.

Founded in 1865 in Worcester, Mass., WPI is one of the nation’s first engineering and technology universities.

___________________

Claire Kostelnik of Glendale was awarded dean’s list academic honors for the spring 2016 semester at St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

Dean’s list honors are awarded to full-time students at St. Mary’s College who earn a semester grade point average of 3.5 or better on 12 or more graded credits.

St. Mary’s College of Maryland, designated the Maryland state honors college in 1992, is ranked one of the best public liberal arts schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Approximately 1,800 students attend the college, nestled on the St. Mary’s River in Southern Maryland.

___________________

Timothy Kyung of La Cañada has earned a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. Kyung was among approximately 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students who received degrees during Georgia Tech’s 251st Commencement exercises on May 6 and May 7 at the McCamish Pavilion.

One of the nation’s leading research universities, the Georgia Institute of Technology is in the business of creating the next – the next idea, the next technology, and the next legion of agile minds well equipped to imagine and engineer our future.

___________________
The University of Wisconsin-Madison has named Griffin Harting of La Crescenta, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, to the dean’s list for the spring semester of the 2015-16 academic year.

Students who achieve at a high level academically are recognized by the dean at the close of each semester. To be eligible for the dean’s list, students must complete a minimum of 12 graded degree credits in that semester. Each university school or college sets its own GPA requirements for students to be eligible to receive the distinction.

___________________

Wheaton College students Christine Kim of Montrose, Erika Johnson of Glendale and Adam Wolcott of La Crescenta were named to the dean’s list for the spring 2016 semester.

Dean’s list honors are earned by undergraduate students who carry 12 or more credit hours and achieve a 3.5 grade point average or higher on the 4.0 scale.

Kim was also recently inducted into the Psi Chi National Honor Society. This honor was announced by the Psychology Department at Wheaton College’s Honors Convocation. Psi Chi is the national honor society for undergraduate psychology majors and serves the purpose of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship and advancing the science of psychology.

Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois is a coeducational Christian liberal arts college noted for its rigorous academics, integration of faith and learning, and consistent ranking among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.

___________________

Andrew Arizmendi of Glendale received a BBA degree in business administration at Loyola University Maryland’s 164th commencement exercises on May 21.

Established in 1852, Loyola University Maryland is a Catholic, Jesuit comprehensive university comprising Loyola College, home to the University’s arts and sciences programs; the Sellinger School of Business and Management; and the School of Education. Loyola enrolls 4,000 undergraduate and 2,000 graduate students from across the country.

___________________

The University of Hartford announced that Rebecca Kahn of La Cañada has been named to its dean’s list for spring 2016.

The University of Hartford, centrally located in Connecticut, provides a distinctive educational experience across seven schools and colleges for one of the most diverse student bodies in New England. Visit www.hartford.edu for more information.

___________________

Union College in Schenectady, New York presented degrees to 550 students at the college’s 222nd commencement. Recipients included Lucas Kim of La Cañada Flintridge who received a Bachelor of Arts majoring in economics and Spanish and Hispanic studies and Abbidee Merchant, also of La Cañada Flintridge, who received a Bachelor of Science majoring in psychology.

Union College, founded in 1795 as the first college chartered by the New York State Board of Regents, offers programs in the liberal arts and engineering to 2,100 undergraduates of high academic promise and strong personal motivation.

___________________

Names of students who have made the scholastic honor roll spring term have been announced by Oregon State University. A total of 1,017 students earned straight-A (4.0). Another 3,745 earned a B-plus (3.5) or better to make the listing. To be on the honor roll, students must carry at least 12 graded hours of course work.

Students on the honor roll included Douglas R. Drugan of La Cañada, straight-A average, post baccalaureate, pre-computer science and senior Kristen T. Mascheroni of La Crescenta, 3.5 or better, human development and family science.

___________________

Sofia Harutyunyan of Tujunga graduated from Western New England University with a Doctor of Pharmacy on May 21.

Western New England University is a private, independent, coeducational institution founded in 1919 located on an attractive 215-acre suburban campus in Springfield, Massachusetts.

___________________

The following local students have been named to the St. Olaf College dean’s list for the spring 2016 semester.

Caitlin Connell, environmental studies, and Margaret Connell, political science and computer science. Both are Crescenta Valley High School graduates and daughters of Brian Connell and Gail Connell.

The dean’s list recognizes students with a semester grade point average of 3.75 or higher on a 4-point scale.

One of the nation’s leading liberal arts colleges, St. Olaf offers a distinctive education grounded in academic rigor, residential learning, global engagement, and a vibrant Lutheran faith tradition.

___________________

In a ceremony on April 30, over 500 Fort Lewis College graduates and their families packed Whalen Gymnasium for spring commencement.

Pamela Bogust of Sunland graduated with a major in engineering.

Maia Shields of La Crescenta graduated with a major in psychology.

Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado is the Southwest’s crossroads of education and adventure blending small classes, dynamic academic programs and a liberal arts perspective.

___________________

Symeon Stefan was named to the Miami University spring 2016 president’s list.

Miami University students who are ranked in the top 3% of undergraduate students within each division for second semester 2015-16 have been named to the president’s list recognizing academic excellence.

Stefan, from La Cañada, is earning a Bachelor of Arts majoring in microbiology, premedical studies.

Considered one of eight original “Public Ivies” in the country, Miami University is located in Oxford, Ohio. The university is consistently ranked by U.S. News and World Report for its commitment to undergraduate teaching and is the number one college town according to Forbes.

View Miami’s other achievements at commencement, dean’s and president’s lists.

___________________

Worcester Academy announces its final upper school honor roll and headmaster’s list for the 2015-16 school year. The honors represent the achievements that each student has earned through academic excellence, challenge, and personal growth.

Among the students is Sewon Park of La Cañada Flintridge, grade 11, who was named to the honor roll.

Worcester Academy is an independent co-ed day and boarding school for grades 6 to 12 and postgraduates. The urban setting, diverse community and innovative curriculum provide each student with unique opportunities for self-discovery, academic achievement, and personal empowerment. Visit www.worcesteracademy.org.

___________________

Erica Son, an occupational therapy major, was named to the dean’s list in Ithaca College’s School of Health Sciences and Human Performance for the spring 2016 semester.

___________________

Stephanie M Green of La Cañada has been named to the Wichita State University dean’s honor roll for spring 2016.

To be included on the dean’s honor roll, a student must be enrolled full time (at least 12 credit hours) and earn at least a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

WSU enrolls about 14,500 students and offers more than 50 undergraduate degree programs in more than 150 areas of study in six undergraduate colleges.

___________________

Claire Steckbeck of La Cañada graduated on May 14 during Emmanuel College’s 94th commencement exercises on its campus in Boston. Steckbeck received a Bachelor of Arts in communication and media studies during the ceremony.

Steckbeck was a December 2015 graduate of Emmanuel College.

The only Catholic college in the heart of Boston, Emmanuel educates and inspires more than 2,200 undergraduate and graduate students from across the nation and around the world.

___________________

Samuel Frederich of La Cañada graduated with a BA in cinema and media studies from Carleton College at its 142nd commencement exercises held on June 11.

Frederich is the child of Peter and Charlotte Frederich of La Cañada.

Founded in 1866, Carleton College is a national top 10, private liberal arts college in the historic river town of Northfield, Minnesota, 45 miles south of Minneapolis/Saint Paul. Best known for its academic excellence and warm, welcoming campus community, Carleton offers 37 majors and 15 concentrations in the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences.
___________________