Nanuet Locals Earn Degrees, Make Dean's List

Nanuet pumps out some pretty amazing kids. Here's an update on the achievements of some of them. Did we miss your student or someone you know? give them a shout out in the comments section.

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Brittany A Blanchette and Darah J. Siragusa of Nanuet graduated from Pace University. Blanchette graduated with a BA in Education with a biology concentration. Siragusa graduated with a BBA from the Lubin School of Business

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Christopher D'Anna, a resident of Nanuet was among over 900 students from Providence College who received undergraduate degrees during the College's 94th Commencement Exercises held on Sunday, May 20, 2012. D'Anna received a bachelor's degree in Accountancy.

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.

Providence College is the only college or university in the United States administered by the Dominican Friars. The Catholic, liberal arts college has an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 3,900 students and offers degrees in 49 academic majors. Since 1997, Providence College has consistently been ranked among the top five regional universities in the north according to U.S. News' America's Best Colleges.

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Nanuet resident Meghan Ryan, daughter of Andrew and Ellen Ryan, was given the Dean's Award and the Health Education and Physical Education Award from Ithaca College's School of Health Sciences and Human Performance. Ryan is a Health Education and Physical Education-Teaching major. The award recognizes not only academic achievement, but also service to the department, school, college and community.

From day one, Ithaca College prepares students for personal and professional success through hands-on experience with internships, research and study abroad. Its integrative curriculum builds bridges across disciplines and uniquely blends liberal arts and professional study. Located in New York's Finger Lakes region, the College is home to 6,100 undergraduate and 400 graduate students and offers over 100 degree programs in its schools of Business, Communications, Humanities and Sciences, Health Science and Human Performance, and Music.

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Da Eun Euam of Nanuet was awarded a bachelor of arts degree from Connecticut College at the 94th commencement ceremony on May 20. Euam majored in art.

Keynote speaker, Louis B. Susman, the U.S. ambassador to the Court of St. James in London and father of Sally Susman, a 1984 graduate, urged the 437 members of Connecticut College's Class of 2012 to leverage their technological savvy to make their mark on the world.

"Half a century ago, in his famous inaugural speech, President Kennedy declared that the 'torch has been passed to a new generation,'" Susman said. "I believe we are now at a similar moment. And nothing inspires my generation more than knowing that young people like you are ready to receive that torch. For as globalization and modern technology make the world increasingly inter-connected, you simply cannot be bystanders."

About Connecticut College

Situated on the coast of southern New England, Connecticut College is a highly selective private liberal arts college with 1900 students from all across the country and throughout the world. On the college's 750-acre arboretum campus overlooking Long Island Sound, students and faculty create a vibrant social, cultural and intellectual community enriched by diverse perspectives. The college, founded in 1911, is known for its unique combination of interdisciplinary studies, international programs, funded internships, student-faculty research and service learning. For more information, visitwww.connecticutcollege.edu.

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Anna Marie Delos Santos of Nanuet earned a Bachelor of Science in Health and Science Studies from Quinnipiac University during the 81st undergraduate commencement exercises on May 20.

Ashley Corral of Nanuet received a Master of Arts in Teaching from Quinnipiac University during a commencement ceremony held May 13 at the TD Bank Sports Center. William E. Strickland Jr., president and CEO of Manchester Bidwell Corp., addressed the 727 graduates and received an honorary degree.

Quinnipiac is a private, coeducational, nonsectarian institution located 90 minutes north of New York City and two hours from Boston. The university enrolls more than 6,000 full-time undergraduate and more than 2,000 graduate students in 53 undergraduate and more than 20 graduate programs of study in its School of Business and Engineering, School of Communications, School of Education, School of Health Sciences, School of Law, Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine, School of Nursing and College of Arts and Sciences.

Quinnipiac consistently ranks among the top regional universities in the North in U.S. News & World Report's America's Best Colleges issue. The 2009 issue of U.S. News & World Report's America's Best Colleges named Quinnipiac as the top up-and-coming school with master's programs in the Northern Region. Quinnipiac also is recognized in Princeton Review's "The Best 376 Colleges." For more information, please visithttp://www.quinnipiac.edu. Connect with Quinnipiac on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/quinnipiacuniversity and follow Quinnipiac on Twitter @QuinnipiacU.

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Eve Quinn from Nanuet was named to the Dean's List at the University of New Haven for the spring 2012 semester. Full-time undergraduate students must have a 3.50 or better cumulative GPA for the semester to be eligible for the Dean's List.

The University of New Haven is a private, top-tier comprehensive institution recognized as a national leader in experiential education. Founded in 1920 on the campus of Yale University in cooperation with Northeastern University, UNH moved to its current West Haven campus in 1960. The University provides its students with a unique combination of a solid liberal arts education and real-world, hands-on career and research opportunities.

UNH enrolls approximately 6,400, including nearly 1,800 graduate students and more than 4,600 undergraduates – the majority of whom reside in University housing. Through its College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, Tagliatela College of Engineering, and University College, UNH offers 75 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. UNH students have access to more than 50 study abroad programs worldwide and its student-athletes compete in 16 varsity sports in the NCAA Division II's highly competitive Northeast-10 Conference.

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Bryant University held its 149th Commencement on Saturday, May 19. Among the graduates is the following local resident: Hyun Jin Park, of Nanuet, Bachelor of Science in International Business in Management magna cum laude.

Since its founding nearly 150 years ago, Bryant University has developed the knowledge and character of its students in order to help them achieve success. A unique integration of business and liberal arts defines the Bryant educational experience and provides skills in technology, critical thinking, and communication that are needed to compete in today's global environment.

Located in Rhode Island, the University has more than 3,650 full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students. Bryant is accredited by NEASC - New England Association of Schools and Colleges, and the College of Business is accredited by AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The University's business outreach centers offer a wealth of resources to professionals and businesses in this region.

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Kara Kuntz, a resident of Bardonia, received a Bachelor of Arts Magna Cum Laude in Environmental Studies, from the College Liberal Arts/Sciences at Alfred University (AU) during Commencement exercises May 12 in McLane Center on the AU campus.

Kuntz is the daughter of Michael and Kim Kuntz and a graduate of Clarkstown High School South.

Kuntz was among the 13 doctoral, 104 masters, and 423 bachelor's degree recipients who heard David J. Miller, AU class of '66, tell them that Alfred University prepares its graduates to take risks in pursuing their passions.

Miller, a member of the AU Board of Trustees, said he owes his success as a noted lawyer and jazz musician, "in no small part to the experiences I had at Alfred University. It's the same for you," he said, noting it was on campus he learned "the importance of listening, reflecting, and respecting other's points of view.

"You need to take risks to perform on the stage of life," Miller told the Class of 2012. Then "you too can reap a life of fulfillment."

Alfred University, founded in 1836, became the first coeducational institution in New York State and the second in the nation. The University encourages students to undertake community service projects as an important part of their education. U.S. News and World Report consistently ranks AU among the top 20 regional universities in the North.

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Hayley Barusek, a early education major from Nanuet, was inducted into the Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society at a ceremony on campus on March 21, 2012. Chestnut Hill College inducted 56 new members into the society this year.

Alpha Lambda Delta, a national honor society for first-year college students, recognizes academic achievement. Full-time students are invited to become members of Alpha Lambda Delta if they succeed in maintaining a 3.5 G.P.A or are in the top 20 percent of their class. The mission of Alpha Lambda Delta is to "encourage superior academic achievement, to promote intelligent living and a continued high standard of learning, and to assist students in recognizing and developing meaningful goals for their unique roles in society."

At Chestnut Hill College, the honor society sponsors several charity and social events, including coffee houses, Alex's Lemonade Stand, and a Mystery Dinner Theatre. Students being inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta are also athletes at the College, representing the 14 intercollegiate athletic programs.

About Chestnut Hill College

Chestnut Hill College, a four-year coed Catholic college in the Ignatian tradition, offers a traditional liberal arts undergraduate program as well as accelerated undergraduate degrees, master's and doctoral programs. The College has been rated by US News & World Report as among the best master's universities in the North, as among the best Northeastern colleges by The Princeton Review, and has been classified as selective by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Since its inception, the College has offered a rigorous curriculum that provides students with a broad background in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. The goal of Chestnut Hill College has been to prepare students for life's challenges by helping them to grow intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, and socially.

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The State University of New York at New Paltz held the May 2012 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 20 at 10 a.m. on the Old Main Quadrangle. This year, there are more than 1,900 undergraduate degrees being conferred. There were 1,291 undergraduate candidates participating in the ceremonies who will celebrate their achievements in the presence of their family and friends.

Danielle Brown (Merrick, N.Y.) was selected as this year's valedictorian. Brown will deliver a short speech to her fellow graduates during the ceremony. Corinna L. Ridgeway (Port Crane, N.Y.) is the salutatorian. Ridgeway, who also has a 4.0 GPA, will receive her Bachelor of Science degree in biology with a cell and molecular concentration.

This ceremony recognizes degrees granted in August and December 2011 and the May 2012 candidates. The following local residents are among more than 1,200 students to participate in the May 2012 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony:

• Jason Zanfordino, a resident of Bardonia, received a BA in Psychology.
• Jesse Harz, a resident of Nanuet, received a BA in History.
• John Lutomski, a resident of Nanuet, received a BS in Communication Media.
• Thomas Mascola, a resident of Nanuet, received a BA in Communication Media.
• Joseph Moldow, a resident of Nanuet, received a BA in Anthropology.
• Steven Vali, a resident of Nanuet, received a BA in Spanish.

Located in the heart of a dynamic college town, 90 minutes from metropolitan New York City, the State University of New York at New Paltz is a highly selective college of about 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

One of the most well-regarded public colleges in the nation, New Paltz delivers an extraordinary number of majors inBusiness, Liberal Arts & Sciences, Engineering, Fine and Performing Arts and Education.

New Paltz embraces its culture as a community where talented and independent minded people from around the world create close personal links with real scholars and artists who love to teach.

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The College at Brockport, State University of New York, recently honored students who excelled academically by naming them to the Dean's List for the fall 2011 semester.

Yousef Abdallatif of Nanuet was named to the Dean's List with Honors.

Students who earn a GPA of 3.70–3.99 are named to the Dean's List with Honors, while students who achieve a 3.40–3.69 are named to the Dean's List.

The College at Brockport is a comprehensive four-year public college, located in Brockport, NY. The College offers 50 undergraduate majors, more than 40 graduate programs as well as 24 teacher certification programs. The College is rated among the "Best in the Northeast" by The Princeton Review, a "Best Regional University" by US News & World Report, and a "Best Value" by Kiplinger's Personal Finance.