People Making News

Rochester Institute of Technology conferred nearly 4,500 degrees at all of its campuses in the 2023-24 academic year.

Daniel Di Paolo of Glendale (91208) received a BS in packaging science and Brennan Cohen of La Cañada Flintridge received a BS in biotechnology and molecular bioscience.

Founded in 1829, Rochester Institute of Technology enrolls more than 20,500 students in 200 career-oriented and professional programs, making it among the largest private universities in the U.S.

With 145,000 alumni worldwide, the university is internationally recognized and ranked for its leadership in technology, the arts and design. RIT also offers unparalleled support services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The cooperative education program is one of the oldest and largest in the nation. Global partnerships include campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo.

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Sydney Parucci of Glendale has been named to the dean’s list for the 2024 spring semester at the University of New England. Dean’s list students have attained a grade point average of 3.3 or better out of a possible 4.0 at the end of the semester.

The University of New England is Maine’s largest private university, with two coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study-abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible online offerings. UNE is the state’s top provider of health professionals and home to Maine’s only medical and dental colleges, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care programs, and nationally recognized degree paths in the marine sciences, the natural and social sciences, business, the humanities, and the arts. Visit une.edu.

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Graceland University announced the spring 2024 graduation list. Graduates from around the country and the world have been recognized for earning undergraduate and graduate degrees from Graceland University between Dec. 14, 2023 and April 28, 2024.

Damaris Guardado of La Crescenta graduated with a Master of Science in nursing (psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner).

Founded in 1895 and sponsored by Community of Christ, Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa has campuses in Lamoni, Iowa and Independence, Missouri.

For more information and to see additional student achievements, visit www.graceland.edu.

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Rosario LeBrun of Tujunga was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. LeBrun was initiated at California State University, Northridge.

LeBrun is among approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10% of seniors and 7.5% of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10% of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897. Today, the Society has chapters on more than 325 campuses in the United States, its territories and the Philippines.

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Anna Heur was named to the Siena College president’s list for the spring 2024 semester. Heur is from La Cañada Flintridge.

The president’s list requires a 3.9 grade point average or higher.

Founded in 1937, Siena College is a private, Catholic Franciscan, residential, liberal arts college with a student body of about 3,000. Siena College offers 43 degree programs, 80-plus minors and certificate programs, and professional curricula in teacher preparation/education, pre-medical, pre-law and social work. A student-to-faculty ratio of 11-to-1, average class size of 21, rigorous academics, Division I athletics, intramural sports and widespread service and advocacy experiences nurture each student’s personal growth while providing the education for a lifetime.

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 Sarah Hansen from Glendale, who is majoring in Chinese and psychology, made the spring 2024 dean’s list at St. Olaf College. The dean’s list is a scholarly award for students who demonstrate academic excellence, have earned a GPA of 3.75 or above, and completed at least three credits for that semester.

Located on 300 acres in Northfield, Minnesota, St. Olaf College is a residential liberal arts institution with an enrollment of more than 3,000 students offering over 85 undergraduate majors, concentrations and pre-professional tracks. Of recent graduates 98% are employed, in graduate school, or engaged in full-time service work. St. Olaf is committed to meeting the demonstrated financial needs of every student with 98% of students receiving scholarships or grants. 

St. Olaf is an Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ECLA)-affiliated college.

Visit stolaf.edu.

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 Kaylei Ernster of La Crescenta was among those who received degrees from the University of Northern Colorado at the end of the spring 2024 semester.

Ernster received a master of arts in marriage/couples/family counseling.

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Katherine Festen of La Crescenta was named to Purchase College’s dean’s list for the spring 2024 semester. Festen is studying theatre and performance, anthropology. Purchase College is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) network of 64 universities and colleges.

To be eligible for the dean’s list, students must carry a semester GPA of 3.5 for Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science programs and 3.75 for Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Music Performance programs. They must take a minimum of 12 credits.