Swampscott Students Honored At New Hampshire, WPI, Pingree School

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Swampscott 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 restrictions, a traditional, in-person ceremony will be scheduled for a future date yet to be determined.

Rachel Zabar graduated summa cum laude with a BS degree in community and environmental planning.

Adam Dishman graduated with a BA degree in communications and business administration.

Ethan Davis, a member of the class of 2022, majoring in Aerospace Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, was a member of a student team that recently completed an intense research project titled Creating a Campaign Supporting Residential Fire Sprinkler Up with Australia Project Center.

At WPI, all undergraduates are required to complete a research-driven, professional-level project that applies science and technology to addresses an important societal need or issue. Nearly 90 percent of students typically complete a project in collaboration with partners in communities across the country and around the world, through the university's 50-plus project centers.

Students usually travel to the project center for seven-week terms. This spring, however, due to the global coronavirus pandemic, they worked remotely, using video conferencing and other technology to complete their projects.

A signature element of the innovative undergraduate experience at WPI, the project-based curriculum offers students the opportunity to apply their scientific and technical knowledge to develop thoughtful solutions to real problems that affect the quality of people's lives and make a difference before they graduate.

"The WPI project-based curriculum's focus on global studies brings students out of their comfort zones to apply their knowledge to solve real problems for people in communities around the globe," said Professor Kent Rissmiller, interim dean of the WPI Interdisciplinary and Global Studies Division. "Students have the opportunity to learn about a different culture, from the way people live and work to the values they hold to the foods they eat — all valuable perspectives for surviving and thriving in today's global marketplace.

"They also learn the meaning and magic of teamwork; make a real and meaningful difference, and gain a competitive edge for any resume, or graduate or professional school application.

Throughout the year, 22 Pingree School student-athletes accepted offers to play collegiate sports, including Dana DePiero of Swampscott, who plans to play soccer at the University of California-Santa Cruz.

"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 Swampscott students who have gone on to succeed athletically and academically at colleges or universities. Let us know their stories at scott.souza@patch.com.)