Campus Notes - Suffield Students

SUFFIELD, CT — Here are some recent notable achievements for college students from Suffield, as reported by readMedia Newswire.

Assumption College, Worcester MA

• The Assumption College Office of Campus Ministry has announced that Eva Hogan, of West Suffield, spent spring break volunteering on one of the College's SEND Service Immersion Trips. Hogan traveled to Trenton. In Trenton, NJ, students participated in a retreat facilitated by an organization called FaithJustice. Students served at a social justice education center, which, according to their website, provides a transformative experience of faith in action, builds community, serves those in need, educates for justice, and empowers people to change the world. They also spent time helping strengthen the local community by volunteering at the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen; Visitation Home, a faith-based community dedicated to helping disabled adults; Carolyn Stokes Preschool; and UIH Family Partners, an organization that empowers fathers.

Coastal Carolina University, Conway SC

• Louise Wilson, a Communication major from Suffield, was initiated into the Coastal Carolina University Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) at a recent ceremony. ODK is a national honor society that recognizes achievement in scholarship, athletics, campus or community service, mass media and the creative and performing arts. To be eligible for ODK, students must be juniors or seniors enrolled on a full-time basis. They must be in the top 30 percent of their class and have held at least one leadership position.

Delaware Valley University, Doylestown PA

• Sarah D'Agata of West Suffield earned a degree (B.S., Animal Science) from Delaware Valley University in December 2016.

Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic CT

• A zany cast of characters performed by Eastern Connecticut State University alumni is amid an ambitious month-long tour for a children's theatre production called "Earth Day, Every Day." Brought to audiences by eesmarts, an Energize Connecticut initiative managed by Eversource and the United Illuminating Company, the play is touring Connecticut elementary schools from March 27-April 21.
  "Earth Day, Every Day" was written by Eastern alumna Deborah Stauffer, who won the 2016 eesmarts Student Contest "Wright the World" college category. The play aims to teach children the importance of making smart and sustainable energy choices. Among the alumni involved is Stephanie Madden of Suffield, who majored in psychology and theatre. Madden plays the character Kelly and serves as assistant director.

Emerson College, Boston MA

• A pair of students from Suffield have been named to Emerson College's Dean's List for the fall 2016 semester. The requirement to make the Dean's List is a grade point average of 3.7 or higher.
  Local honorees are Shea Mccusker, a Journalism major, and Timothy Vindigni, a Media Arts Production major.

Stonehill College, Easton MA

• Suffield residents Thomas Ianello, Class of 2018, and Alyssa Viets, Class of 2017, have been named to the Dean's List for the fall 2016 semester. To qualify for the Dean's List, students must have a semester grade point average of 3.50 or better and must have completed successfully all courses for which they were registered.

Westfield State University, Westfield MA

• Yelena Vynar of West Suffield was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Vynar is pursuing a degree in Biology at Westfield State University. Vynar is among approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester MA

• Jaime Stephen of West Suffield, a member of the class of 2018 majoring in mechanical engineering, was a member of a student team that completed a project in Costa Rica. The project was titled Developing Permaculture Systems Through Community Programs. In their project outline, the students wrote, "Carpio, Costa Rica is a poor urban community that struggles with pollution, social exclusion, and stress. The goal of our project was to develop a permaculture program with our sponsor SIFAIS to create green space while maintaining and improving community involvement." Taylor Stephen of West Suffield, a member of the class of 2018 majoring in robotics engineering, was a member of a student team that completed a project in Costa Rica. The project was titled Improving Waste Removal and Reduction on Playa Pacuare. In their project outline, the students wrote, "Coastal debris poses a threat to nesting sea turtles and negatively impacts the environment of Playa Pacuare, Costa Rica. Working with our sponsor, Latin American Sea Turtles (LAST), and recognizing community needs, our goal was to develop strategies for improved trash removal and reduction in Pacuare."

Photo credits: Delaware Valley University, Eastern Connecticut State University