College Credits: Students Graduate, Make Dean's Lists

FRANKFORT, IL — We're sharing the news of all the major higher education accomplishments of area students. Send your submissions to andrea.earnest@patch.com. Students from area towns like New Lenox, Lockport, Homer Glen, Frankfort, Lemont and Mokena are celebrating graduation from universities across the country and achievements in scholarship and service.

Submitted by James Sliwa

James Sliwa, of Lemont, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in both Computer Science and Economics from the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. James has been a member of the Heliophysics Spacecraft Instrumentation Team and a member/treasurer of The Polish Student Association. Jimmy will be working for a company located in the Merchandise Mart Plaza of downtown Chicago.

The following information was provided by Merit Pages News:

Lucas Galifos Graduates from McKendree University

Lucas Galifos, of Mokena, has graduated from McKendree University with a MBA degree in business administration. The university is conferring 667 degrees in 2021--35 doctoral, 181 master's, 446 bachelor's and five associate degrees--on students who completed their program requirements in December 2020, and in May and July 2021.

The McKendree University Class of 2021 hails from 29 states and 15 countries.

Cassie Ruettiger of New Lenox earns University of Nebraska-Lincoln degree

Cassie Anne Ruettiger of New Lenox was among 3,512 graduates who received degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln during commencement exercises May 7 and 8.

Ruettiger earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and Human Sciences with distinction from the College of Education and Human Sciences.

The graduates are from 58 countries, 43 states and the District of Columbia, and more than 250 Nebraska communities.

The May exercises were the first time since December 2019 - before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic - that the university held full-fledged commencement ceremonies in person.

Lockport's Hollatz Part of WIAC Softball Championship at UW-Whitewater

Mallory Hollatz, of Lockport, and graduate of Lockport Township High School, is a member of the 2021 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater softball team, which increased its active win streak to 10 games and wrapped up a share of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular season championship with a pair of victories at UW-River Falls.

The Warhawks have now won four straight conference titles, six of the last seven and a league-high 14 all time.

Hollatz, a sophomore at UW-Whitewater, is majoring in political science.

Students Named to President's List at Bob Jones University

Bethany Charleston, a sophomore music education major from New Lenox, and Hannah Jawor, a junior middle school education major from Frankfort, were among approximately Bob Jones University students named to the Spring 2021 President's List.

The President's List recognizes students who earn a 3.75 or higher grade point average for the semester.

Bob Jones University is located in Greenville, South Carolina.

New Lenox's Mikalauski Named 2020-21 UW-Whitewater Chancellor's Scholar-Athlete

Madison Mikalauski, of New Lenox, and student-athlete at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, is a 2020-21 UW-Whitewater Chancellor's Scholar-Athlete presented by Northwestern Mutual.

Mikalauski has a 3.980 GPA, and is majoring in special education at UW-Whitewater.

Each Chancellor's Scholar-Athlete was recognized in a virtual ceremony by Interim Director of Athletics Ryan Callahan, Chancellor Watson and representatives from Northwestern Mutual.

To be recognized as Scholar-Athletes, student-athletes must have maintained a 3.25 cumulative grade point average or above through the end of the 2019 fall semester. Honorees must have participated in a varsity sport for two years, must be of senior academic status and must have accumulated at least 90 degree credits.

Klug Named to Spring 2021 Dean's List at Iowa Wesleyan University

Justin Klug, of Lockport, was named to the spring 2021 Dean's List at Iowa Wesleyan University. Criteria to be a part of IW's Dean's List include degree-seeking students taking 12 or more hours per semester with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

Crystal Dorman graduates from Eastern Mennonite University

Eastern Mennonite University honored its graduates at a May Commencement ceremony. The university awarded 351 total degrees, including 209 undergraduate degrees, 104 master's degrees, 37 graduate certificates, and one doctorate.

Crystal Dorman, of Lemont, earned a graduate certificate in Trauma and Resilience in Educational Environments.

Eastern Mennonite's main campus is in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Students Achieve Spring 2021 Dean's List at Belmont University

Faith Lynn, of Mokena, and Olivia Miller, of Homer Glen, qualified for the Spring 2021 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 53 percent of Belmont's 6,170 undergraduate students qualified for the Spring 2021 Dean's List.

University of Tampa holds May 2021 Commencement

The University of Tampa hosted a virtual commencement on May 8 to honor 1,781 degree-seeking candidates at the University's 152nd commencement. The event was viewed online by the students, their family members and friends, UT faculty and staff members and the general public.

Dejah Amos, of New Lenox, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology.

Nicholas Camaioni, of New Lenox, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in marine science-biology.

Colin Feeney, of Frankfort, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in cybersecurity.

McDermed Earns Degree from CMU

This spring's commencement at Central Methodist University in Missouri was split into two indoor ceremonies on May 8, allowing nearly 200 graduates to receive their degrees in front of friends and family in Puckett Fieldhouse.

CMU Board of Trustees chairman Dr. Robert "Tad" Perry '65 delivered the commencement address and received an honorary doctorate from his alma mater.

Kyle McDermed, of Frankfort, graduated with a Bachelor of Science after majoring in Computer Science.