College Credits: Geneva Native Joins National Leadership Honor Society

GENEVA, 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.

Geneva students earn degrees from University of Nebraska-Lincoln

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln conferred a record 3,612 degrees during commencement exercises May 13 and 14.

The 3,523 graduates are from 58 countries; 45 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico; and more than 250 Nebraska communities.

In addition, graduates from 2020 and 2021 who were unable to attend their ceremonies were celebrated. More than 20 returned to be recognized.

Following is a list of area graduates by hometown, with their college(s) and degree(s).

• Emily Elise Fehr, College of Arts and Sciences, Bachelor of Arts.
• Matthew Benjamin Leuer, College of Business, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
• Catherine Michelle Plywaczewski, UNO College of Public Affairs and Community Service, Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice with high distinction.

— Merit Page News

Geneva native initiated into Omicron Delta Kappa

Mary Clare Koebel, a native of Geneva, was recently initiated into the Augustana College Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society. The Society welcomed 1,971 new initiates from 78 universities in April 2022.

Students initiated into the Society must be sophomores, juniors, seniors, or graduate/professional students in the top 35% of their class, demonstrate leadership experience in at least one of the five pillars, and embrace the ODK ideals. Fewer than five percent of students on campus are invited to join each year.

— Merit Page News

Geneva native graduates University of Mississippi

Paige Engebretson, of Geneva, IL, is among the more than 3,300 students who earned their degrees from the University of Mississippi in May 2022.

Engebretson, who majored in Integrated Marketing Communications, received a Bachelor of Science from the School of Journalism and New Media.

"Our May 2022 class of graduates are distinguished by incredible achievements, character and resilience," said Chancellor Glenn Boyce. "They accomplished so much during their years at Ole Miss, and we can't wait to see all the ways they will pursue their passions and reach their full potential on their paths to a bright future."

— Merit Page News

Students from Geneva make dean’s list at Belmont University

The following students achieved the Dean's List at Belmont University for the Spring 2022 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).

• Caroline Barr of Geneva (60134)
• Katherine Ellis of Geneva (60134)
• Evan Fenne of Geneva (60134)
• Katherine Barr of Geneva (60134)
• Jack Hepburn of Geneva (60134)
• Kaitlyn Woods of Geneva (60134)

— Merit Page News

Geneva’s Eric Palmquist completes Lassonde+X program

Eric Palmquist, of Geneva, was one of 29 students who completed the Lassonde+X program during the past year. Lassonde+X is a three-course program that allows any undergraduate student at the University of Utah to "entrepreneur your major" - the "X" is their major. The program is offered by the Department of Entrepreneurship & Strategy, in partnership with the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute, at the David Eccles School of Business.

Each of these students will receive a Lassonde+X designation on their academic transcript. More importantly, they learned entrepreneurial skills and how to apply them to their majors and life goals.

"The Lassonde+X program challenges students to explore the entrepreneurial mindset and add it to their major, and that is exactly what all of these students did," said Kathy Hajeb, a director at the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute and associate professor at the Eccles School. "Each of the students completing the program this year reflected on how their entrepreneurial experience and academic major align as they create value."

— Merit Page News