College Credits: Aurora Native Participates In 'Dracula' Production

AURORA, IL — We're keeping track of all the major higher education accomplishments of students in the area. Send your submissions to emily.rosca@patch.com.

Aurora student earns University of Nebraska-Lincoln degree

Kyle David Pittman of Aurora was among 1,159 graduates who received degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln during commencement exercises Dec. 15 and 16 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Pittman earned a Master of Science from the Office of Graduate Studies.

The graduates are from 48 countries; 39 U.S. states and the District of Columbia; and more than 150 Nebraska communities.

— Merit Pages News

Belmont University announces fall 2023 dean's list

The following students achieved the Dean's List at Belmont University for the Fall 2023 semester. Eligibility is based on a minimum course load of 12 hours (exclusive of audit and pass/fail courses this semester) and a quality grade point average of 3.5 with no grade below a C (inclusive of audit, pass/fail courses and zero-credit courses).

• Allen Argyilan of Aurora (60503)
• Zachary Roberts of Aurora (60506)

— Merit Pages News

UW-Whitewater announces dean's list

A total of 3,757 students earned a spot on the Dean's List at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for the 2023 fall semester.

The following students were named to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Dean's List for the 2023 fall semester:

• Aurora, IL 60502: Emma Bludgen
• Aurora, IL 60502: Nicole Dawson
• Aurora, IL 60502: Ashley Monroe

These students have demonstrated their academic abilities by receiving a grade point average of 3.4 or above in a single semester.

— Merit Pages News

Augustana College students, including Aurora natives, presented 'Dracula'

More than 25 Augutsana College students worked on Quad Cities regional premier of "Dracula," Oct. 12-15, directed by Dr. Jennifer Popple, associate professor of theatre arts and co-chair of the theatre department. "Dracula" was presented at the Brunner Theatre Center Main Stage.

Adapted from Bram Stoker's 1897 novel, Kate Hamill's version offers a more contemporary critique of the gender and sexuality norms of Victorian England, relating those norms to issues of today.

The cast of nine included alumnus James Wheeler '21, who played the titular character. The New York native performed as a student actor at Augustana in "Boy," "The Three Musketeers," "The Crucible" and "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time."

Participating students included:

• Paige Withey, a junior of Aurora (60506) as props master
• DJ Roberts, a first-year of Aurora (60503) as blood crew

— Merit Pages News

Students from Aurora named to SNHU president's list

It is with great pleasure that Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) congratulates the following students on being named to the Fall 2023 President's List. The fall terms run from September to December.

Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President's List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.

• Tanesha Felix of Aurora (60502)
• Cameron Keller of Aurora (60503)
• Faith Ogunjimi of Aurora (60505)
• Eli Worley of Aurora (60506)
• James Wooten of Aurora (60506)

— Merit Pages News