College Credits: Charity Dance Marathon, Dean's List Honors

LEMONT, IL — We're sharing the news of all the major higher education accomplishments of area students. Send your submissions to andrea.earnest@patch.com. Students from area towns like Lemont, Homer Glen, Lockport Bolingbrook and Romeoville are celebrating accomplishments throughout the semester, including making Dean's List and graduation.

Submitted by Juanita Dudaryk

Mason Dudaryk of Bolingbrook earned Dean's List for the Fall 2021 semester and graduated from Ferris State University with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Digital Animation and Game Design at the winter commencement on Dec. 18, 2021.

Submitted by Sue Feustel

Mya Mia Feustel, was named to the Dean's List at Benedictine University for the spring and fall 2021 semesters; and Syrena Renee Feustel was named to the Dean's List at Joliet Junior College for fall 2021.

Submitted by University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Senior Nick Dado of Lockport, of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville wrestling team, finished second at 174 pounds in the WIAC Championships.

Dado reached the finals after a sudden-victory win over Ben Kasten of UW-Stevens Point 3-1 and a 3-2 win over Ryan Vedner of UW-Whitewater. Dado was defeated in the championship match by Jared Stricker of UW-Eau Claire.

Dado improved to 18-13 on the year with two pins. Dado and the Pioneers will head to UW-Eau Claire on Feb. 25-26 for the NCAA Division III Upper Midwest Regionals. The top three finishers from regionals will advance to the National Finals in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on March 11-12.

The following information was provided by Merit Pages News:

Students named to fall Dean's List at Nebraska

More than 6,700 students at Nebraska were named to the Deans' List for the fall semester.

Local students included:

Emma Kurtz of Lockport, Ashley Marguerite McRae of Bolingbrook, Ryan Sidman of Bolingbrook, Natalie Rene Underhill of Bolingbrook, Ashley Marguerite McRae of Bolingbrook, Ryan Sidman of Bolingbrook, Elizabeth Anne Cannon of Lemont, Gabrielle Lauren Ognar of Lemont, and Ella Marie Pelen of Lemont.

Ashleigh Curtiss inducted into elite Baldwin Wallace University Honors Program

Ashleigh Curtiss of Bolingbrook was inducted into the Baldwin Wallace University Honors Program during the fall 2021 semester. Curtiss, a graduate of Bolingbrook High School majoring in pre-allied health/pre-physical therapy, shared the distinction with 89 other high-achieving students.

BW President Bob Helmer presented each student with a pin and T-shirt to congratulate them on their entry into the program, which strives for a distinctive and inspiring learning environment both inside and outside the classroom.

Students help Dance Marathon 28 generate $1.3 million for University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital

Emely Pena of Bolingbrook, Elizabeth Barton of Lemont, and Abigail Jadron of Lockport were among more than 900 current University of Iowa students who participated in the 28th annual student-led Dance Marathon which generated more than $1.3 million for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital.

The final tally raised by the students was $1,361,184.28, a total which pushed the amount of support generated by Dance Marathon over the course of its 28-year history to more than $33 million.

"Dance Marathon will continue to create so many miracles for our families. I am so glad that we all got to be a part of it together. Thank you so much," said Anna Dodge, the executive director of "DM28," which transitioned to a virtual event just 30 days before DM's "Big Event" weekend (Feb. 4-5, 2022).

Dance Marathon's "Big Event" is the celebration of UI students' year-round dedication to the children and families who have received treatment at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital. Dancers and Dance Marathon leadership fundraise for 365 days to reach their individual fundraising goal.

Millikin University announces Fall 2021 Dean's List

Millikin University announced the names of the outstanding undergraduates who have been named to the Dean's List for the fall 2021 semester.

Students who attempt 12 graded credits during a fall or spring semester and earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher earn Dean's List honors. Students earning a perfect 4.00 grade point average on 12 graded credits attempted earn High Dean's List honors.

Local students were: Madelyn Alvarado of Homer Glen, Logan McCormick of Romeoville, Nicholas Velazquez of Romeoville, Margaret Albrecht of Lockport, Aidan Callahan of Lockport, Hannah Henson of Lockport, Logan McCormick of Romeoville, Nicholas Velazquez of Romeoville, Isabella Voss of Lockport, and Taylor Young of Lockport.

Alabama Student-Athletes Earn SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll Accolades

The University of Alabama placed 81 student-athletes on the 2021 Fall Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll, the league office announced.

Local student-athletes include Bret Bolin of Lemont.

Bolingbrook resident earns spot on SVSU's Deans' List

Almost 2,000 students from Saginaw Valley State University earned a spot on the Fall 2021 semester Deans' List. Ethan Jones, of Bolingbrook, was among those honored for academic excellence.
To be eligible for the Deans' List, a student must take at least 12 credit hours and carry a semester GPA of 3.4 or better.

Romeoville student named Distinguished Scholar At Rockford University

Jacob Bilotta, a resident of Romeoville, was announced as a fall 2021 Distinguished Scholar at Rockford University.

Full-time (12 or more credits) students attending Rockford University who earned at least a 3.75 GPA with no grades below "C" and completed all requirements for the semester are named as Distinguished Scholars.

Bolingbrook student named to the Dean's List at Rockford University

Caitlin Hicks, a resident of Bolingbrook, has been named to the fall 2021 Dean's List at Rockford University.

Full-time (12 or more credits) students attending Rockford University who earned at least a 3.5 GPA with no grades below "C" and completed all requirements for the semester are named to the Dean's List.

University of Mississippi Announces Fall 2021 Dean's Honor Roll

The University of Mississippi announced students named to the Fall 2021 Honor Roll lists, including Dean's Honor Roll.

The following students were named to the Dean's Honor Roll, which is reserved for students who earn a semester GPA of 3.50-3.74: Payton Ward of Homer Glen, Michael Parmigiani of Lockport, and Kayla Mlynarczyk of Lemont.

Students Named to UM Fall 2021 Chancellor's Honor Roll

Kendall Wasunyk of Bolingbrook and Sullivan Rakow of Lemont were named to the University of Mississippi's Fall 2021 Honor Roll lists.

Wasunyk and Rakow were named to the Chancellor's Honor Roll, which is reserved for students who earn a semester GPA of 3.75-4.00.

"The remarkable students achieving Chancellor's Honor Roll are among the best and brightest at the University of Mississippi," said Chancellor Glenn Boyce. "I commend them for their hard work and dedication resulting in their outstanding academic achievements and this well-deserved recognition."