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College Notes: June & July 2019
03:51PM / Monday, July 22, 2019
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Maya Finston-Fox of Monterey was among 30 Baldwin Wallace University students who gave up a week of summer break to make a difference through BW's Alternative Break service program in Portland, Ore.

Maya Finston-Fox of Monterey was among 30 Baldwin Wallace University students who gave up a week of summer break to make a difference through BW's Alternative Break service program. The Berea, Ohio, college's program facilitated four experiences with student volunteers traveling to Clarkston, Ga.; Kissimmee, Fla.; Portland, Ore.; and Raleigh, N.C.
 
Finston-Fox, a political science major and graduate of Miss Hall's School in Pittsfield, volunteered to take part in the experience in Portland. The team of nine students partnered with the YWCA of Greater Portland to learn about domestic violence against women and how college students can be better advocates for their community and peers. The YWCA of Greater Portland has served the community for the past 110 years, providing services to women, children and families regardless of income level, race or age. The trip was led by BW student Paige Rumble with support from faculty adviser Jordan Saul.
 
 
Madison Ryan of Adams was a member of a student team that recently completed an intense, hands-on research through the Worcester Polytechnic Institute project center in Australia. The rising junior, who is majoring in biomedical engineering at WPI, participated in "Developing a Training Kitchen and Social Enterprise Initiative." All WPI undergraduates are required to complete a research-driven, professional-level project that applies science and technology to addresses an important societal need or issue. 
 
In their project summary, the students wrote, "The Brotherhood of St. Laurence has identified a skills gap between the skills youth possess and the skills employers are looking for. Our project is to develop a training kitchen and social enterprise initiative for the Brotherhood that will help the youth develop the skills they need to succeed within the workforce."
 
Catherine E. Cavalli of Williamstown has been selected for a summer 2019 St. Lawrence University Internship Fellowship. A member of the class of 2021, she is a Mount Greylock Regional School graduate majoring in government. She received the The Walker Family Internship Fellowship and will work as a summer intern for American Continental Group in Washginton, D.C.
 
 

Avril Levesque of Adams was inducted into Alpha Mu Alpha.
Eastern Connecticut State University's Business Administration Department held its annual Alpha Mu Alpha National Marketing Honor Society induction on April 23 in the Johnson Room of the J. Eugene Smith Library. Alpha Mu Alpha was established in 1981 by the American Marketing Association to acknowledge outstanding scholastic achievement in the field.
 
Among the inductees was Avril Levesque of Adams, class of 2019, who majored in business administration at the Williamantic college. 
 
 
Joseph Gais of Williamstown was recognized with the honor of Sigma Xi on May 31 at Carleton College's Honors Convocation in Northfield, Minn. The event begins and ends with a full academic procession, including faculty emeriti, honors students, and recipients of awards and grants.
 
 
Benni Magnusson McComish of Williamstown presented research entitled "Paradoxes of the Past: Bates College and the Legacies of Abolitionism and Slavery" at the 18th annual Mount David Summit at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, that celebrates academic achievement and highlights undergraduate research.
 
The son of Magnus T. Bernhardsson and Margaret A. McComish of Williamstown, he is a 2016 graduate of Mount Greylock Regional School and was among 217 Bates students who gave presentations. Magnusson McComish worked with Joseph Hall, associate professor of history, on their research.
 
 
Two area students participated in the Junior Semester Abroad program at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, through the college's Center for Global Education.
 
Grace Ellrodt of Lenox studied in Chile through SIT Public Health, Arica. The 2016 graduate of Lenox Memorial High School is daughter of Dr. and Ms. Anthony G. Ellrodt and is majoring in environmental studies and minoring in philosophy.
 
Sophie Gerry of Williamstown studied in Italy through SACI College of Art & Design. The 2016 graduate of Mount Greylock Regional School is the daughter of Dr. John P. Gerry and Laura H. Schoenbaum. She is majoring in art and visual culture at Bates.
 
Emily Field of North Adams is one of 19 students spending a month studying at Assumption College's Rome Campus where the city, and country of Italy, become a living classroom. The Worcester college offers a month-long summer program to those students who are not able to take advantage of the opportunity to spend their fall or spring semesters abroad. While in Rome, students will take the Business of Italian Tourism class, which counts as a major elective for marketing, management, and international business majors, and one of Assumption is many online summer course offerings.
 
Graduates line up for commencement at Vermont Technical School in Randolph Center

Graduations

Karen Amichia of Pittsfield graduated from Tufts University in Medford on May 19 with a degree in biopsychology during a commencement ceremony that featured an address by award-winning actress and activist Alfre Woodard.
 
Worcester Polytechnic Institute conferred 1,019 bachelor's degrees and 850 master's and doctorates during the university's 151st commencement ceremony on May 11. Local students earning degrees are: 
  • Sarah Bachli of Dalton, bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering with high distinction.
  • Evan Bossio of Pittsfield, bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering with distinction.
  • Holly Cadran of Cheshire, bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering with high distinction.
  • Matthew Rabasco of Pittsfield, bachelor of science degree in civil engineering with distinction.
  • Derrek Rueger of Housatonic, bachelor of science degree in computer science.
  • Matthew Scanlon of North Adams, bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering with distinction.

  • Timothy Jones of Pittsfield, master of science degree in aerospace engineering.
  • Zachary Rahilly of Pittsfield, master of science degree in aerospace engineering.
 
Jillian Tatro of Adams, Dillon Benham of Lenox and Christopher Piscioneri of North Adams received degrees from Castleton (Vt.) University during its 232nd commencement on May 18.
 
Samuel B. Plishtin, son of Bernard Plishtin and Maria Black of Lenox, received his bachelors' degrees from Colby College in Waterville, Maine, during the 198th commencement on May 26 that featured award-winning television writer David E. Kelley as guest speaker. Plishtin majored in global studies and graduated from Monument Mountain Regional High School.
 
Celia Bote of Williamstown graduated with a bachelor of arts in political science and a bachelor of arts in international studies from the College of Charleston, S.C., during the college's spring 2019 commencement on May 10 and 11. Bote was among more than 1,700 bachelor's degree and master's degree candidates who participated in the annual event in the college's historic Cistern Yard.
 
Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., conferred nearly 500 degrees during its 225th commencement in Memorial Fieldhouse on June 16 that featured Susan Zirinsky, president and senior executive producer of CBS News. Graduates from the class of 2019 are: 
  • Sophia Gebara of Williamstown, bachelor of arts degree in visual arts.
  • Nar Lin of Pittsfield, bachelor of science degree magna cum laude majoring in biochemistry.
  • Annika Wells of Williamstown, bachelor of science degree majoring in geology.
 
James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va., conferred bachelor of science degrees in kinesiology to Megan Pedersen and Angela Petretta, both of Pittsfield.
 
 
Vermont Technical College in Randolph Center conferred nearly 500 degrees in three ceremonies over May 18 and 19. The following local students earned degrees:
  • Mandy Bostwick of Adams, associate of science in nursing.
  • Matthew Geyer of Dalton, bachelor of science in professional pilot technology.
  • Trisha Morrow of Pittsfield, associate of science in nursing.
 
Ithaca (N.Y.) College awarded degrees in May to the following students: 
  • Serena Guthrie of Washington, graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science in cinema & photography .
  • Nicholas Duffin of Great Barrington, graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of music in performance .
  • Cole Kleinman of Great Barrington, graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science in exercise science.
 
Four hundred and fifty-nine graduates were conferred the degree of bachelor of arts from Carleton College in Northfield, Minn., on Saturday, June 15, including Alice Curtin of Great Barrington and Joseph Gais of Williamstown, who both earned degrees in physics. 
 
Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa.,  celebrated its 171st baccalaureate and commencement ceremonies on May 19, awarding 529 students undergraduate degrees. Among them was Emma Whittum of Williamstown, who graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in political science and a minor in Spanish and dance.
 
Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, N.Y., held its 65th commencement ceremony May 17 in the Joseph L. Bruno Stadium, awarding degrees and certificates in more than 80 programs. Among those who completed studies were Crystal VanDeusen of Housatonic, emergency medical technician/paramedic academic program; Xavier Powell of Pittsfield, automotive technical services academic program, and Austin Mendel of Adams, electrical construction and maintenance academic program.
 
Aaron W. Norton of West Stockbridge completed graduate studies at the State University of New York at Oswego in spring 2019 and was awarded a master of business administration degree in accounting during commencement in May.
 
Rachyl Bazonski of Dalton graduated with a bachelor of science in business administration, marketing, from Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I., during the university's 156th commencement ceremony on May 18.
 
Avril Levesque of Adams graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, Conn., during commencement ceremonies held May 21 at XL Center in Hartford.
 
 
Springfield College awarded a total of 1,265 degrees were awarded over the two days of commencement on May 18 and 19, including 695 bachelor degrees. Among the graduates were:
  • Danielle Racette of North Adams, doctor of physical therapy
  • Zoe Ayinbora of Pittsfield, master of social work
  • Dominic Traversa of Pittsfield, master of business administration
  • Jillian Campbell of Pittsfield, bachelor of art degree in communications and sport journalism
  • Zachary Wright of Adams, bachelor of science degree in criminal justice
  • Lorna Houghtlin of Great Barrington, bachelor of art degree in English
  • Kelsey Orpin of Pittsfield, bachelor of science degree in health science, pre-physical therapy
  • Benjamin Burdick of Berkshire, bachelor of science degree in movement and sport studies
  • Katherine Lewis of Dalton, bachelor of science degree in sports biology
 
John Cosmus of East Otis, a graduate of Lee High School, was awarded an associate's degree in mechatronics design during the May 18 commencement ceremony at State University of New York at Delhi. Cosmus was also named to the university dean's list for his final semester.
 

Graduates at Bard College at Simon's Rock cheer at commencement. 
 
Bard College at Simon's Rock in Great Barrington graduated 166 students on Saturday, May 18. Local students graduating were:
  • Olivia Davis of Pittsfield, bachelor of arts in literary studies and music.
  • Erika Hashberger of Great Barrington, cum laude with a bachelor of arts in psychology.
  • Georgiana Janko of Great Barrington, summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in dance.
  • Bruna Shabazz of Great Barrington, magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts in biology and environmental medicine.
  • Hannah Barth of Washington, distinction with an associate of arts.
  • Kayofunmi Dehinbo of Great Barrington, associate of arts.
  • Margot Douillet of Great Barrington, distinction with an associate of arts.
The University of Utah at Salt Lake City conferred 8,465 academic degrees on May 2. The following local students earned degrees: Tiana Birrell of Lenox graduated with a master of science in environmental humanities; August Colonna of Williamstown graduated with a bachelor of science in accounting and Emily Nicolosi of Alford graduated with a doctor of philosophy in geography.
 
Emmanuel College in Boston celebrated its 97th commencement exercises on May 11. Presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin delivered the commencement address. Local students who graduated include:
  • Jamie Behrent of Pittsfield received a bachelor of arts in communications and media studies, magna cum laude and with distinction in the field.
  • Mia Bongini of Pittsfield received a bachelor of arts in management with a concentration in marketing.
  • Shannon Conroy of Pittsfield received a bachelor of arts in international studies with a concentration in diplomacy and security.
  • Kevin Hoctor of Becket received a bachelor of arts in management with a concentration in marketing.
  • Emma Pizzuto of Housatonic received a bachelor of arts in psychology with a concentration in counseling and health.
Rochester (N.Y.) Institute of Technology conferred some 4,200 degrees this academic year at all its campuses. The university held its 134th annual commencement celebration in May. The following local residents received degrees:
  • Reagan Schaeffer of Cheshire received a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering.
  • Brett Saxe of Dalton received a bachelor of science in electrical engineering.
  • Kyle Suriner of Dalton received a bachelor of fine art  in industrial design.
  • David Conlon of Lenox received a bachelor of science in chemistry
  • Nicholas Trombley of North Adams received a bachelor of science in applied mathematics.
  • Andrew Macfarlane of Pittsfield received a bachelor of science in computing and information technologies.
  • Timothy Wiles of Pittsfield received a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering.
 
The following graduates received their degrees in May from Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I.:
  • Nicole Speranzo of Becket, bachelor of science in management.
  • Samantha MacWhinnie of Lanesborough, bachelor of science in accounting.
  • Luke Martino of Lenox, bachelor of science in management.
  • Madison Curtin of Tyringham, bachelor of science cum laude in finance.
  • David Majetich of Williamstown, bachelor of science cum laude in accounting.
  • Colby Masse of Williamstown, bachelor of science magna cum laude in biochemistry.
 

Academic Lists & Awards

Samantha Twing of New Marlborough was recently named to the president's list at the State University of New York at Potsdam. Twing, whose major is music, was among 909 SUNY Potsdam students who were honored for academic excellence in the spring 2019 semester. 
 
Stacey Neveu of Williamstown, who is studying music industry, has been named to the dean's list for the spring 2019 semester the State University of New York at Oneonta.
 
Noah Chicoine of North Adams, majoring in mathematics, and DiMaggio Paris of Lanesborough, majoring in computer science/mathematics have been named presidential scholars for the spring 2019 semester at Clarkson University in Potsdam, N.Y.
 
 
The following students have been named to the dean's list at Tufts University in Medford for the spring 2019 semester: freshman Matthew Diamond of Great Barrington and Lily Mooney of Pittsfield and juniors Ethan Brown of Lenox and John Tagliaferro of Pittsfield.
 
Castleton (Vt.) University has named North Adams students Katlyn Toomey to the president's list and Jillian Tatro to the dean's list for the spring semester of the 2018-19 academic year.
 
The following local residents were named to the dean's list at Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y., for the 2019 spring semester: rising sophomores Isabelle Bote, Samuel Dils and Jacob Hane, all rising sophomore and graduates of Mount Greylock Regional High School, and Riley Nichols of Pittsfield, a rising junior majoring in philosophy and a graduate of Pittsfield High School.
 
Katie Bachli of Dalton was named to the Plymouth State University president's list for the spring 2019 semester. Bachli is a meteorology major.
 
The College of Saint Rose in Albany, N.Y., has named Julia Esoldi of North Adams and Shane Fuller of Cheshire to the dean's list for spring 2019 semester.
 
Lasell College in Newton has named the following students to the dean's list for their academic accomplishments in the spring 2019 semester: Allison Borowsky of Dalton; Bailee Duquette and Elizabeth Bona, both of North Adams; Kailey Bell, Gillian Campbell, Elizabeth Chapman, Hannah King and Matthew Stracuzzi, all of Pittsfield; and Margaret Martin of Williamstown.
 
 
The University of Rhode Island in Kingston has named the following students to the dean's list for the spring semester: Emmy Cote, Anna Ellsworth, Chloe Warren and Michele Zabian, all of Dalton,  and Shayna Sawyer of Monterey.
 
Graduates Lindsey Gray of the town of Florida and Jacob Tarjick of Cheshire, and freshman Hayley Tobin of Pittsfield were named to the spring dean's list at Stonehill College in Easton. 
 
Emmanuel College in Boston has named Autumn Duke and Emma Pizzuto, both of Housatonic, and Pittsfield residents Mia Bongini of Pittsfield, Ashleigh Fawcett and Nichole Lapierre to the dean's list for the spring 2019 semester.
 
Julia Borek of Dalton has been named to the University of Delaware's dean's list for the spring 2019 semester.
 
Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic named Avril Levesque of Adams to the dean's list for the spring semester. The business administration major graduated from the university in May. 
 
Ithaca (N.Y.) College congratulates the following local students named to the dean's list for the spring 2019 semester:
  • Gabriella Orpin of Pittsfield, clinical health studies major.
  • Cole Kleinman of Great Barrington, exercise science major.
  • Ali Bourzgui of Pittsfield, a musical theater major.
  • Keigan Case of Adams, a philosophy and mathematics major.
  • Olivia Kinne of Pittsfield, a theater arts management major.
 
The University of Hartford in West Hartford, Conn., has named the following students to the dean's list for spring 2019: Michaela DeFoe of Becket; Jacob Tatro of Clarksburg; Leigh Duffin and Emily Rada, both of Great Barrington; Karley Deets of Lenox; and Drew DeMartino and Emily Kestyn, both of Pittsfield.
 
 
The following students have been named to the dean's list at the University of New Hampshire in Durham for the spring 2019 semester. 
 
High honors: Devon Atwell of Becket, Shamus White and Connor Mathews, both of Dalton, and Kasey Vallee of Lenox.
 
Highest honors: Hannah Ronayne and Lilian Pudlo, both of Dalton, and Shae Daley and Hailey Kirchner, both of Pittsfield.
 

Samantha Daniels of North Adams was named to the dean's list at Vermont Technical College in Randolph Center for the spring 2019 semester. Daniels is pursuing her bachelor of science in the architectural engineering technology program.

Hannah Stechmann has been named to the spring 2019 dean's list at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. Stechmann, of Pittsfield, is a medical laboratory science student.
 
 
Emma Whittum of Williamstown was named to the spring 2019 dean's list at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa. 
 
Grace M. Dodig of Lanesborough was recently named to the dean's list at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. A member of the class of 2021, she attended Mount Greylock Regional School and is the daughter of Chris and Michelle Dodig of Lanesborough.
 
 
Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I., has named sophomore Lindsey Coe of Pittsfield and juniore Andrew Beaudoin of Dalton to the deans' list for the spring 2019 semester.
 
Pittsfield resident, Lauren Mazzeo has been named to the dean's list at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va., for the spring 2019 semester. Mazzeo is majoring in biology.
 
Heather Macfarlane and Jayme McGuigan, both of Pittsfield, were named to the president's list at Champlain College in Burlington, Vt. 
 
William Churchill of Great Barrington has been placed on the Gettysburg (Pa.) College dean's honor list for outstanding academic achievement in the spring 2019 semester.
 
Alexis Dunn of Adams and Evan Callaghan of Pittsfield were named to the dean's list at Champlain College in Burlington, Vt., for achieving a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher in the spring 2019 semester.
 
Natasha Beauchesne, a senior English major from Dalton, was named to the dean's list at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, N.Y., for the spring 2019 semester.
 
 
Springfield College has named the following area students to the dean's list for academic excellence for the 2019 spring semester:
  • Jack Cooney of Pittsfield, studying applied exercise science.
  • Juan Ochoa-Montoya of North Adams, studying applied exercise science.
  • Austin Cancilla of Lanesborough, studying business management.
  • Jillian Campbell of Pittsfield, studying communication/sport journalism.
  • Zachary Wright of Adams, studying criminal justice.
  • Caroline Carlough of Lanesborough, studying digital, web and multimedia design.
  • Brittney Arseneau of Pittsfield, studying health science.
  • Riana Gittens of Pittsfield, studying health science.
  • Alexis Huxtable of Pittsfield, studying health science.
  • Olivia Mazzeo of Pittsfield, studying health science
  • Benjamin Burdick of Berkshire, studying movement and sport studies.
  • Chad Shade of Pittsfield, studying physical education.
  • Hailey Higgins of Great Barrington, studying psychology.
  • Kyle Bazonski of Dalton, studying sports biology.
  • Katherine Lewis of Dalton, studying sports biology.

 

The following students made the dean's list at Rochester (N.Y.) Institute of Technology for the 2019 spring semester.
  • Lukas Yelle of Adams, applied arts and sciences
  • Joshua Giron of Clarksburg, hospitality and tourism management
  • Brett Saxe of Dalton, electrical engineering
  • Nick Schneider of Dalton, industrial engineering
  • Kyle Suriner of Dalton, industrial design 
  • Ashley Martsen of East Otis,  physics 
  • Lana Grygier of Lenox, 3D digital design
  • Nicholas Trombley of North Adams, applied mathematics 
  • Alexander Stevens of Pittsfield, game design and development 
  • Andrew Macfarlane of Pittsfield, computing and information technologies
  • Eli Cunningham of Pittsfield, computer science 
  • Juri Kiin of West Stockbridge, game design and development 

The following local residents were among 1,598 students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute named to the dean's list for academic excellence for the spring 2019 semester: Madison Ryan, a junior majoring in biomedical engineering, and Jenna Charron, a freshman majoring in electrical and computer engineering, both from Adams; Matthew Scanlon of North Adams, senior majoring in chemical engineering, and Mary Decelles of Pittsfield, a freshman majoring in mechanical engineering.

Amaya Smith of Williamstown, a sophomore, was named to the spring 2019 high honors list at Pomfret School, an independent college preparatory school in Connecticut.

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