College News: Grads, Honors and Commitments

The following press releases were submitted by readMedia News. If you would like to submit your own release about a college student you know, please email editor Kevin Haslam (kevin.haslam@patch.com):

Patch was notified of the following students receiving awards at their specific colleges throughout the month of April (and May):

Bethany College

BETHANY, WV (04/18/2012)(readMedia)-- Bethany College awarded many of its exemplary students, faculty and staff with a variety of college-wide and departmental awards on April 12 during its annual Honors Day celebrations. The recipients, selected based on their demonstration of outstanding scholarship and other contributions to the College, were presented with their awards during the Honors Day Convocation held in Commencement Hall in Bethany's historic Old Main.

Mariah J. Kemmerer, a Biology major, received the Pittsburgh Bethany College Club Award as Outstanding Junior Woman. Kemmerer, daughter of Stephanie Marin and Richard Kemmerer, resides in Royersford, Pa.

The award is based on the qualities of leadership, character, conduct and scholarship. The Club, comprised of Bethany alumni in the Pittsburgh area, has placed a plaque in Phillips Hall upon which the names of the winners are engraved

Bethany College is a small college of national distinction located on a picturesque and historic 1,300-acre campus in the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia. Founded in 1840, Bethany is the state's oldest private college.

Clearwater Christian College

CLEARWATER, FL (05/01/2012)(readMedia)-- In a recent athletic award chapel, several Cougar athletes were awarded for their contributions to the sports program at Clearwater Christian College. CCC is a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), Division II.

Bryan Spears of Royersford, PA, received the Best Defensive Player and Most Improved Player - Men's Basketball. A senior accounting major, Spears is the son of Pastor Jim and Kathy Spears of Royersford and a graduate of Calvary Baptist School in Lansdale.

Located on a 138-acre property on Tampa Bay, Clearwater Christian College is home to over 500 undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a distinct Christian education in a traditional liberal arts environment. Clearwater Christian College is recognized by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

Millersville University

MILLERSVILLE, PA (05/03/2012)(readMedia)-- The following area residents were recognized during Millersville University of Pennsylvania's Honors and Awards Convocation on April 28, 2012:

• David M. Emery, of Spring City, Pa., an undergraduate student at Millersville University, received the Faraday Physics Scholarship.
• Thomas J. Simpson, of Limerick, Pa., an undergraduate student at Millersville University, received the Anna E. Beyer Certificates Award.

Millersville University's annual Honors and Awards Convocation recognizes faculty, students and alumni for their accomplishments and dedication to the University. During this year's ceremony, nearly 900 students were recognized with awards and scholarships for their academic accomplishments including impressive grade-point-averages, departmental awards for excellence in an academic major, community involvement and the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference scholar athletes.

Millersville University of Pennsylvania is a top-ranked, public university located in the northeast region of the United States. It is committed to offering students a high quality, comprehensive university experience of exceptional value. Dedicated to providing nationally recognized programs that embrace the liberal arts, Millersville offers academic opportunities that are supported by outstanding faculty who are accomplished scholars and practitioners. Founded in 1855 as the first Normal School in Pennsylvania, Millersville University is one of 14 universities within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

Patch was notified of the following students' college commitments throughout the month of April:

Florida Institute of Technology

MELBOURNE, FL (04/20/2012)(readMedia)-- Claire Carroll of Royersford, PA (19468) has announced an intent to begin studies at Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Fla., in Fall 2012. Carroll will graduate in spring 2012 from Owen J Roberts High School and plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in Bio Sci, Marine Biology.

About Florida Institute of Technology
Founded at the dawn of the Space Race in 1958, Florida Tech is the only independent, technological university in the Southeast. The university has been named a Barron's Guide "Best Buy" in College Education, designated a Tier One Best National University in U.S. News & World Report, and is one of just nine schools in Florida lauded by the 2012 Fiske Guide to Colleges. A recent survey by PayScale.com ranks Florida Tech as the top private university in Florida for return on investment. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs. Fields of study include science, engineering, aeronautics, business, humanities, mathematics, psychology, communication and education. Additional information is available online at www.fit.edu.

Patch was notified of the following students making the Dean's List at their specific colleges throughout the month of May:

Eastern Mennonite University

HARRISONBURG, VA (05/08/2012)(readMedia)-- Konrad Swartz, a junior English and Psychology major and resident of Spring City, PA., was among over 250 students from Eastern Mennonite University who made the spring semester Dean's List.

To qualify for the dean's list a student must achieve a semester grade point average of at least 3.750 or above and complete at least 12 semester hours of credit.

Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Va., is a four-year, fully-accredited Christian liberal arts school guided by the peace principles of Mennonite Church USA. EMU educates students to live in a global context through cross-cultural study and an interdisciplinary curriculum. The university also offers graduate programs, seminary, and houses the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding. See more at: www.emu.edu/about.

Villanova University

VILLANOVA, PA (05/02/2012)(readMedia)-- Villanova University named the following students to the Dean's List for the fall 2011 semester.

• Genevieve Weikert, from Spring City, Pa., is enrolled in the Villanova School of Business
• Ryan Weikert, from Spring City, Pa., is enrolled in the Villanova School of Business

Villanova University Dean's List recipients are honored by their college's respective dean. To qualify, one must be a matriculated full-time student and earn a semester grade point average of at least 3.5.

Since 1842, Villanova University's Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's five colleges – the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the College of Nursing and the Villanova University School of Law. Visit www.villanova.edu for more information.

Patch was notified of the following students participating in extracurricular activities at their specific colleges throughout the month of May:

St. Joseph's University

PHILADELPHIA, PA (05/09/2012)(readMedia)-- While most college students have traded rigorous academic work for relaxing on the beach, Royersford resident Eric Eisenhauer will give up summer vacation to remain on campus at Saint Joseph's University as a member of the Summer Scholars Program. Eisenhauer is one of 102 students who will engage in faculty-mentored research and creative projects at the University this summer.

The program, which runs for 11 weeks from May until August, requires students to work exclusively with a faculty member to produce a written description of their research that will be published by the University, and to present their findings next spring during the Celebration of Student Achievement event. For their work, students receive a stipend of $3,200, on-campus housing, and the opportunity to participate in social and educational programs.

Research topics range from local and national issues in the sciences, business, education and history to extended analysis of literature and fine arts.

Eisenhauer, a chemistry major, will work with Mark Forman, Ph.D. on their topic, " The Synthesis of Pentacyclo [4.3.0.02.4.03.,8.05,7]non-4,5ene."

Background: Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1851, Saint Joseph's University advances the professional and personal ambitions of men and women by providing a demanding, yet supportive, educational experience. One of only 152 schools with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter and AACSB business school accreditation, Saint Joseph's is home to 4,650 traditional undergraduate day students, 700 College of Professional and Liberal Studies adult undergraduates, and 3,600 graduate and doctoral students. Steeped in the 450-year Jesuit tradition of scholarship and service, Saint Joseph's was named to the 2012 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for General Community Service. The University strives to be recognized as the preeminent Catholic comprehensive university in the Northeast.

Patch was notified of the following students graduating from their specific colleges throughout the month of May:

Clearwater Christian College

CLEARWATER, FL (05/07/2012)(readMedia)-- Bryan Spears of Royersford, PA, graduated with a bachelor's degree in Accounting from Clearwater Christian College in Clearwater, Florida, during the spring commencement ceremonies held on May 5, 2012, at Ruth Eckerd hall, located in Clearwater.

Bryan is the son of Jim and Kathy Spears of Royersford, PA.

Located on a 138-acre property on Tampa Bay, Clearwater Christian College is home to over 500 undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a distinct Christian education in a traditional liberal arts environment. Clearwater Christian College is recognized by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

Patch was notified of the following students' honors society inductions throughout the month of April:

St. Joseph's University

PHILADELPHIA, PA (04/30/2012)(readMedia)-- Saint Joseph's University's Beta Gamma Sigma chapter inducted the following residents into its honor society during a ceremony on April 20.

• Nicholas DeCinque of Limerick
• Marina Bitar of Royersford
• Dwight Crawford of Royersford
• Victoria Welsh of Royersford
• Kelly Sweppenhiser of Royersford
• Mahmoud Mustafa of Royersford

Saint Joseph's University's student chapter has also been recognized with the society's 2012 Gold Chapter Award, competing against 504 chapters from around the globe.

Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS) is an international honor society for business students. Qualifying for membership is the highest scholastic honor a student in business can attain. To be eligible, students must rank in the upper 10 percent of their junior class, the upper 10 percent of their senior class, or the upper 20 percent of their graduate class.

Students who receive a BGS award must attend colleges and universities accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The Haub School of Business at Saint Joseph's earned AACSB accreditation in 2000.

Background: Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1851, Saint Joseph's University advances the professional and personal ambitions of men and women by providing a demanding, yet supportive, educational experience. One of only 141 schools with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter and AACSB business school accreditation, Saint Joseph's is home to 4,600 traditional day students, 750 College of Professional and Liberal Studies adult undergraduates and 3,500 graduate and doctoral students. Steeped in the 450-year Jesuit tradition of scholarship and service, Saint Joseph's was named to the 2009 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for General Community Service. The University strives to be recognized as the preeminent Catholic comprehensive university in the Northeast