Braintree College Student Graduation Announcements June 3 Edition

These students are likely just a handful of the many accomplished scholars from Braintree in high school or college. If you know of any other students worthy of praise, email joseph.markman@patch.com or comment below!

 Quinnipiac University

The following area residents graduated from Quinnipiac University during the 81st undergraduate commencement exercises on May 20.

Lauren Ellis of Braintree, MA, Bachelor of Science in Health and Science Studies

Stephanie Ferris of Braintree, MA, Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations

Kristen Flannery of Braintree, MA, Bachelor of Science in Nursing

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth undergraduate commencement was on May 27. An estimated 1,573 graduates received degrees.

Roxana Saberi, an award-winning author, journalist, and human rights advocate who was jailed by the Iranian regime in 2009, delivered the 112th Commencement address.

The following is a list of University of Massachusetts Dartmouth undergraduates from your readership area.

Braintree: Justin Yao, Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering/Electrical Engineering

Braintree: Ryan Sheridan, Bachelor of Science in Finance

Braintree: Rachel Chappell, Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts

Braintree: John Romano, Bachelor of Science in Materials - Materials Technology

Braintree: Christopher Dinan, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Braintree: Alesia Barry, Bachelor of Arts in Crime & Justice Studies/Psychology Magna Cum Laude

Braintree: Andrea Clement, Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Braintree: Mandy Henderson, Bachelor of Science in Marketing Magna Cum Laude

Braintree: Jeffrey Vizarreta, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Providence College

The following local residents were among over 900 students from Providence College who received undergraduate degrees during the College's Ninety-Fourth Commencement Exercises held on Sunday, May 20, 2012:

Emily Larkin, a resident of Braintree, MA, received a bachelor's degree in Biology.

Kevin McDonald, a resident of Braintree, MA, received a bachelor's degree in Finance.

Bridget Reed, a resident of Braintree, MA, received a bachelor's degree in Studio Art, Cum Laude.

Joshua Schonfeld, a resident of Braintree, MA, received a bachelor's degree in American Studies and English.

John Sessions, a resident of Braintree, MA, received a bachelor's degree in Marketing.

The Commencement address was delivered by Viola Davis, who received an honorary doctorate in fine arts. Davis is a native of Rhode Island and a critically revered actress of film, television and theater. She won the 2012 Screen Actors Guild Award for "Best Actress" and was a nominee in the same category for an Academy Award for her portrayal of 'Aibileen Clark' in the award-winning film, "The Help."

Four other distinguished individuals, all PC alumni, received honorary degrees from the College. They are: Dr. Charles J. Goetz '61, Catherine "Cammi" Granato '93, Dr. Paul A. Kearney, Jr. '75, and Deacon Patrick Moynihan '99G.

Assumption College

The following local students graduated May 12 from Assumption College with a Bachelor of Arts degree:

Kyle Higgins of Braintree, MA

Nicole Kirkland of Braintree, MA

Erynn Sweeney of Braintree, MA

Assumption College's 95th Commencement ceremony was held on the campus's H.L. Rocheleau Field, where 430 Bachelor of Arts degrees; 201 graduate studies degrees (Master of Arts and Master of Business Administration) and certificates; and 22 Continuing and Career Education degrees (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science, and associates) were awarded. Thousands of students, their families and friends, trustees, and other special guests were on hand to experience the inspirational messages delivered by keynote speaker Brian Kelly '83, head football coach of the University of Notre Dame, and Assumption College President Francesco Cesareo.

Also during the ceremony, honorary degrees were conferred upon Kelly as well as three other distinguished individuals: the Most Rev. Robert McManus, bishop of Worcester; Maurice "Moe" Boisvert '66, president of Youth Opportunities Upheld Inc. (YOU Inc.); and James Welu, director emeritus of Worcester Art Museum.

Merrimack College

Merrimack College held its 62nd Commencement Exercises on May 20 where 553 students received undergraduate degrees in Business Administration, Education, Liberal Arts, and Science & Engineering, and an additional 46 graduated with Master of Education degrees.

Below are the local students who graduated from Merrimack College on May 20:

Abigail Clark of Braintree, MA, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Education.

Jessica DeGraan of Braintree, MA, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology .

Jessica Walsh of Braintree, MA, graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology .

Timothy Buckley of Braintree, MA, graduating cum laude with a Bachhelor of Science degree in Business Administration .

Laura Sullivan of Braintree, MA, graduating with a Bachhelor of Science degree in Business Administration .

David McGillivray '76, race director of the B.A.A. Boston Marathon and president of DMSE, Inc. event management company, was the commencement speaker and was bestowed the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Public Service.

University of Rhode Island

At the University of Rhode Island's 126th Commencement on Saturday and Sunday, May 19-20, 2012, almost 3,000 undergraduate and 738 graduate students became the University's newest alumni.

The following local residents were among the students who received their undergraduate or graduate degrees:

• Adriana Ranalli, a resident of Braintree, MA received a BSN degree in Nursing , cum laude.

• Palmiero T. Federico, a resident of Braintree, MA received a BA degree in Communication Studies .

Students who received the honor summa cum laude graduated with a cumulative grade point average (GPA ) of at least 3.7; students who received the honor of magna cum laude graduated with a GPA of at least 3.50; and students who received the honor of cum laude graduated with a GPA of at least 3.3.

The University of Rhode Island is known regionally and worldwide for its innovative, big ideas, adaptive intelligence and breakthrough solutions to today's puzzling problems. URI's pioneering research extends the University's influence well beyond its coastal borders, while its unique interdisciplinary courses provide its 16,000 undergraduate and graduate students with global opportunities in an intimate environment.

–Info from readMedia Newswire