Several local residents made the academic deans’ list at Azusa Pacific University. These students are honored for a spring semester 2011 academic standing of 3.5 or better grade-point average. A total of 1,575 students received the same honor.

La Cañada resident and Business Administration major Jennifer Adem; La Cañada resident and Accounting major Shabnam M. Talab; Tujunga resident and undeclared major Mary E. Martinez; La Crescenta resident and Political Science major Ian R Chessum; La Crescenta resident and Social Work major Kristen N. Muche; La Crescenta resident and Psychology major Kathryne M. Nida;  and La Crescenta resident and Social Work major Jacob T. Walker.

Azusa Pacific University is an evangelical, Christian university committed to God First and excellence in higher education. The university offers its more than 9,200 students a quality education on campus, online, and at seven regional centers throughout Southern California.

Nicholas Smith of La Cañada has earned a $2,000 academic scholarship from the Alliance for Affordable Services. Smith plans to attend University of Hawaii, Manoa in the fall. The Alliance Scholarship Program was created to help Alliance members meet challenges such as rising tuition, lab fees, and expenses for books and equipment.

This year the Alliance awarded $293,000 in scholarships to 198 students around the nation. Since 1996, the Alliance has supported approximately 1,200 students with more than $1.9 million in scholarships. Any eligible 16- to 28-year-old dependent of an Alliance member may apply for this scholarship; recipients are selected according to academic performance. Recognizing that a college degree takes several years to achieve, the Alliance offers $1,000 scholarship renewals for up to three consecutive years as long as students maintain at least a 3.5 grade point average.

The Alliance for Affordable Services is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping members live better and save more.