College Credits: Local Osteopathic Medicine Student Gets White Coat

PLAINFIELD, 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.

SNHU announces summer 2023 president's list

It is with great pleasure that Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) congratulates the following students on being named to the Summer 2023 President's List. The summer terms run from May to August.

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.

• Daniel Torres-Dronski of Plainfield (60585)
• Skylar Sheha of Plainfield (60585)
• Maria Vancina of Plainfield (60586)
• Luna Gage-Navarro of Plainfield (60586)
• Aaren Nichols of Plainfield (60585)
• Tamara Murdock of Plainfield (60586)
• James Gillispie of Plainfield (60586)

— Merit Pages News

Plainfield student joins Lewis University Residence Life Team

Sixteen new Resident Assistants as well as three Residence Life Coordinators were added to Lewis University's growing Residence Life team this fall. Alex Camacho of Plainfield (60586) is among the new team members.

The university casts a wide net, searching for the best and brightest individuals from all corners of the world in hopes of creating a vibrant and supportive living community that transcends borders and celebrates cultural diversity. The new team members bring unique perspectives and a wealth of experiences to the residence halls. The RAs will serve as mentors, friends, and leaders, helping residents navigate the exciting journey of college life.

The three new Residence Life Coordinators each have a distinct background and passion for creating an inclusive and enriching living environment. They will play a pivotal role in shaping residence life programs, providing guidance to RAs, and ensuring residents feel at home on the Romeoville campus.

— Merit Pages News

Plainfield student is a Cornhusker Marching Band member

Brandon Muff of Plainfield is part of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's 299-member Cornhusker Marching Band, which will make its 2023 debut Sept. 16 at Memorial Stadium with pregame and halftime performances at Nebraska's football home opener against Northern Illinois.

Muff, a sophomore software engineering major, plays tuba.

This year's band includes representatives from nearly every region of the country, though 75% of the students are from Nebraska. Twenty-two percent of the students have majors in the Glenn Korff School of Music. The rest are studying in 60-plus other degree programs across campus. Each band member passed two auditions to gain admittance to the group.

— Merit Pages News

Plainfield student inducted into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi

Audrey Howard, of Plainfield, Illinois, was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Howard was initiated at The University of Mississippi.

Howard is among approximately 25,000 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.

— Merit Pages News

Doctor of osteopathic medicine student from Plainfield celebrated at white coat ceremony

Aradhana Singh, a student in Des Moines University's Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program, was a participant in the university's 2023 White Coat Ceremony on Sept. 15. Singh is from Plainfield, IL.

Among the members of the program's Class of 2027, Singh received the white coat as a symbol of the training aspiring health professionals receive and the accompanying responsibilities they've accepted for their future roles.

Across the country, the White Coat Ceremony is a rite of passage for students as they begin their medical education and prepare to become compassionate, competent health care providers. Participating in DMU's ceremony were 149 students in the College of Health Sciences' Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, Doctor of Occupational Therapy and Doctor of Physical Therapy programs; 56 students in the College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery's Doctor of Podiatric Medicine program; and 226 students in the College of Osteopathic Medicine's Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program.

— Merit Pages News

Plainfield student enrolled for fall semester at Marietta College

Sarah Imig of Plainfield, Illinois, has enrolled for the Fall 2023 semester and is part of Marietta College's Class of 2027.

Imig, who is a graduate of Olney Friends School, is majoring in Sports Medicine. Students can pursue bachelor's degrees in more than 40 majors offered at Marietta.

Approximately 341 new students officially joined Marietta College during the traditional Matriculation ceremony on Aug. 18. In-person classes began on Aug. 24.

— Merit Pages News

Local residents named to dean's list at Biola University

Approximately 1,500 students were named to the Biola University Dean's List in spring 2022. Biola students are placed on the dean's list to honor those with a GPA of 3.6 or higher while enrolled in 12 or more credits and whose cumulative GPA is at least 3.2.

The following local residents were named to the dean's list:

• Andrew DiNaso of Plainfield, IL (60544) majoring in Cinema and Media Arts
• Kellynn Hayes of Plainfield, IL (60585) majoring in Kinesiology

"Inclusion in Biola University's Dean's List is reserved for students who demonstrate exceptional performance in their academic studies. This honor signifies hard work, engagement, and investment in scholarship," said Dr. Tamara Anderson, Tamara Anderson, Senior Associate Provost. "These attributes are the building blocks of continued success, not only in the classroom, but in the workplace and in the student's personal lives. We celebrate these students and their achievement, looking forward to their future accomplishments."

— Merit Pages News

University of Mississippi announces August 2023 graduates

More than 900 students graduated from the University of Mississippi in August 2023. Undergraduate and graduate candidates received degrees from the College of Liberal Arts, General Studies and schools of Law, Pharmacy, Journalism and New Media, Engineering, Education, Business Administration, Applied Sciences and Patterson School of Accountancy.

• Kylie Leeds, of Plainfield, IL, who majored in Allied Health Studies and received a Bachelor of Arts from the College of Liberal Arts, is one of those students.
• Alexis Chan, of Plainfield, IL, who majored in Accy. & Data Analytics and received a Master of Accountancy and Data Analytics from the Graduate School, is one of those students.
• Zachary Nottke, of Plainfield, IL, who majored in General Business and received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the School of Business Administration, is one of those students.

"Our August 2023 class of graduates is distinguished by incredible achievements and character," Chancellor Glenn Boyce said. "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 Pages News

Roster set for UW-Whitewater women's soccer team

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women's soccer team's 2023 roster includes 27 student-athletes under first-year head coach Dan Montanye. The Warhawks recently passed the midway point of the campaign, entering the weekend with a 5-4-2 overall record.

The following student-athletes have been named to the roster of the Warhawk women's soccer team at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for the 2023 season.

• 60585 Plainfield, IL: Morgan Hoffman, who is majoring in Human Performance.
• 60585 Plainfield, IL: Brittany Ellinghaus, who is majoring in Human Performance.

— Merit Pages News