University of Vermont graduates
BURLINGTON, Vt. — University of Vermont President Suresh Garimella conferred degrees on an estimated 3,383 graduates at the university’s 222nd commencement ceremony. Speaking on the spirit of excellence, the Honorable Sethuraman Panchanathan, director of the U.S. National Science Foundation, delivered the keynote address.
The following local students earned bachelor’s degrees from UVM: Abigail Head of Holden, political science; Wendy Schiller of Holden, psychological science; Ethan Smith of Holden, sociology; Clara Gal of Princeton, cum laude, animal sciences; Andrea Bateman of Rutland, animal sciences; Meg Moore of Rutland, elementary education: K-6; and Christopher Dwyer of Sterling, biology.
Simmons University graduate
SOUTHBOROUGH — Fatima Covas of Holden was one of 23 staff members from The New England Center for Children who received their Master of Science in Education with an autism specialization designation degree during Simmons University’s 2023 commencement.
Covas, who works in NECC’s day program, shared that NECC provided her the opportunity to gain hands-on experience as a teacher of children with autism while pursuing her master’s degree for free.
“The Simmons University program provided me with the necessary skills to work in a classroom setting, collaborate with my colleagues, and provide my students with the support they need to succeed,” she said. “I’m excited to continue making a difference in the lives of my students and their families.”
One of NECC’s core values is to train and develop the next generation of autism educators and researchers. For 30 years, NECC and Simmons have collaborated to offer graduate training to NECC employees. All courses are taught on-site at NECC in Southborough and provide staff practical training and experience, enabling them to have a wide variety of job offers in both public schools and private agencies upon completion of the program. Since 1992, more than 1,200 NECC staff have completed the master’s degree program.
Hamilton College dean’s list
CLINTON, N.Y. — The following local residents were named to the dean’s list at Hamilton College for the spring 2023 semester: Elise Mizerak of Holden. Mizerak, a rising junior majoring in environmental studies, is a graduate of Wachusett Regional High School; and Allison Yanco of Princeton. Yanco, a rising junior majoring in art and chemistry, is a graduate of Worcester Academy.
To be named to the dean’s list, a student must have carried a course load of four or more graded credits throughout the semester and earned an average GPA of 3.5 or above on a 4.0 scale.
Dean College president’s list
FRANKLIN — Theodore Benoit of Holden has earned a place on the president’s list for the spring 2023 semester. Students named to the list have demonstrated a serious commitment to their studies while at Dean College.
University of Dallas dean’s list
IRVING, Texas — Catherine Contonio of Sterling was named to the spring 2023 dean’s list at the University of Dallas for earning a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher. Contonio is a sophomore politics major.
College of the Holy Cross dean’s list
WORCESTER — Local students were named to the College of the Holy Cross’ dean’s list for outstanding academic achievement during the spring semester of the 2022-23 academic year. The following local students made the list: Ebi Aliko, Ryan LaPosta, Briana Oser, Jack Ostrosky, Rachel Perry, Katherine Quinn and Abigail White of Holden; Riley Peck of Paxton; Kyra Ceryanek and Serey Kremer of Princeton; Anthony Magnani and Zoe Yanco of Rutland; and Liam Martin of Sterling.
To qualify for the dean’s list, students must pass four or more letter-graded courses with no failing grades during the semester and earn a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
