Peabody Students Honored At Bryant, Clarkson Holy Cross, UNH

PEABODY, MA — The following Peabody students were among those who recently graduated from the University of New Hampshire.

Students who received the honor of summa cum laude graduated with a GPA of 3.85-4.0, students who received the honor of magna cum laude graduated with a GPA of 3.65-3.84 and students who received the honor of cum laude graduated with a GPA of 3.50-3.64.

Because of coronavirus-related restrictions, a traditional, in-person commencement ceremony will be scheduled at a future date yet to be determined.

Johanna Aylward graduated cum laude with a BS degree in communications, science and disorders.

Rachael Muise graduated cum laude with a BS degree in business administration and marketing.

Robert Murphy of Peabody graduated with a BA degree in communications and business applications.

Shane Whittredge graduated Cum Laude with a BS degree in business administration and finance.

Alyssa Alperen graduated with a BA degree in communications and business applications.

Alexander Iatrou graduated with a BA degree in political science.

Brooklynn DiPaolo graduated with an AAS degree in veterinary technology

At Bryant University's 158th Commencement ceremonies on May 22, 840 graduates of the class of 2021 and their families and guests gathered on campus to celebrate earning a Bryant degree.

Rocco Prestia, of Peabody, graduated with a BS in business administration degree in managerial accounting and finance.

Alyssa Rice, of Peabody, graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in business administration degree in team and project management.

"There has probably never been a graduating class more deserving of a Commencement and celebration than the class of 2021," said Bryant President Ross Gittell. "You have earned your degree under extraordinary circumstances. You successfully responded to unprecedented challenges."

Joie Dillon, of Peabody, received a bachelor of arts degree from the College of the Holy Cross.

Dillon is among 748 bachelor of arts degree candidates Holy Cross celebrated at its 175th Commencement held in person on Friday, May 21 on the College's Fitton Field.

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, a career diplomat and representative of the United States of America to the United Nations, delivered this year's address virtually to the class of 2021 and received an honorary degree.

"Class of 2021: I have hope - I have light in my eyes - because of you," Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield told the graduates. "When I think of your promise, your potential, I swell with pride. With your Holy Cross mentors and role models by your side, I believe you will become men and women for others. I trust you will go where you are needed. And graduates, I know you will keep hope alive."

Janine E Goggin of Peabody, a junior majoring in biology and psychology, was named a Presidential Scholar for the spring 2021 semester at Clarkson University.

Presidential Scholars must achieve a minimum 3.80 grade-point average and carry at least 14 credit hours.

Shannon Grafton, a resident of Peabody, graduated cum laude from Lasell University with a Bachelor of Science in Event Management.

The undergraduate Class of 2021 was honored at a ceremony on Lasell's Taylor Field on May 15. Keynote speaker Dr. James E. Muller, an academic cardiologist, entrepreneur, and social activist, delivered the commencement address at all three ceremonies.

Reflecting on the weekend's activities, Lasell President Michael B. Alexander welcomed the opportunity to celebrate the graduates' accomplishments, both academically and in traversing the difficulties of the pandemic.

"Despite many challenges, Lasell students, faculty, and staff rose to the occasion and continued to teach, work, and learn in-person and remotely," he said. "Ending the academic year by marking the accomplishments of our graduates was, for many of us, the highlight of the year."

The following Lasell University students from Peabody were also inducted into the National College Athlete Honor Society this spring:

Jaqueline Cordeiro, Sofia Rodriguez, Christopher Belliveau and Olivia Diogo.

Throughout the year, 22 Pingree School student-athletes accepted offers to play collegiate sports, including Kyle McCarthy of Peabody. McCarthy will play lacrosse at Syracuse University.

"We are so proud of this group of dedicated, talented, and hardworking student-athletes and grateful to them and their coaches for all they've contributed to Pingree," said Betsy Kennedy, Pingree's athletic director. "Playing collegiate athletics is an impressive next step in their athletics career, we will continue to cheer them on as they compete at the next level."

(Patch is looking to recognize Peabody students who have gone on to succeed athletically and academically at colleges or universities. Let us know their stories at scott.souza@patch.com.)