Diego Velasco named Madison Scholar at Hampden-Sydney

Diego Rolando Velasco, a junior at Hampden-Sydney College, has been awarded the Madison Scholarship. Selection is made by the faculty Honors Council and is based on leadership in the community, as well as outstanding academic achievement.

A Spanish and English major, Diego serves as a Resident Advisor and as a Writing Center tutor. He is a member of Circle K, the International Club, the Men’s Studies Committee, the Soccer Club, and Catholic Campus Ministry. He is a graduate of Meadowbrook High School and is the son of Mrs. Ester V. Velasco of Richmond.

Local Students named to Dean’s List at Hampden-Sydney

The following local students attending Hampden-Sydney College were named to the Dean’s List for the Spring semester of the 2011-2012 academic year:

• David Michael Goad - Mike is a graduate of Matoaca High School, son of Mr. & Mrs. David W. Goad of Chesterfield.
• Matthew Devier Hamblin - Matthew is a graduate of Manchester High School, son of Ms. Michele Koss of Chesterfield

To earn this distinction, students must achieve at least a 3.3 semester grade-point average out of a possible 4.0.

Local Longwood students named to dean’s list

Longwood University has selected 643 students to the Dean’s List for outstanding academic achievement during the spring 2012 semester. Nine of those students are from the Chester area. Among those who earned an academic average of 3.5 to 3.99 from Chester were:

• Katie Elizabeth Bowman
• Megan Patricia Clements
• Joshua Caleb Craft
• Livia Gomes Rebola  
• Emily Frances Ridgway
• Caitlin Marie Smith
• Ashley Nicole Bishop
• Suzanne Michelle Stuckey
• Katherine Paige Marable

Local Longwood Graduates

Among the spring 2012 graduates of Longwood University were:

• Mary Kathlene Tingen of Chester, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts.
• Holly Noelle Murray of Chester, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science.
• Virginia Christine Waddill of Chester, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science.
• Martha Louise Warriner of Chester, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science.
• Christina Marie Pierce of Chester, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts.
• Ashley Nicole Bishop of Chester, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science.
• Ashley Nicole Poul of Chester, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science.
• Suzanne Michelle Stuckey of Chester, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science.
• Kimberly Mary Page Olsen of Chester, who graduated with a Master of Science.
• Katherine Paige Marable of Richmond, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts.
• Amanda Michelle Haymans of Richmond, who graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.
• Ashley Ciara Branch of Richmond, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science.
• Clare Marguerite Burtis of Richmond, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science.

Local Longwood students named to President’s List

Longwood University has selected 244 students to the President’s List for superior academic achievement during the Spring 2012 semester. Among those who earned a perfect academic average of 4.0 were:

Nicole Olivia Kvasnicka, Holly Noelle Murray, Virginia Christine Waddill, Ashley Nicole Poul, all from Chester, and Ashley Ciara Branch and Ashley Marie Hall, both of Richmond.

James Madison University announces 2012 Honors Graduates

The following students graduated with honors from James Madison University during the May 5, 2012 commencement exercises.

Amanda Hoffman of Chester graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting.

Hannah Curley of Chester graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in modern foreign languages.

Dr. Linwood H. Rose, who is stepping down as president of the university June 30, spoke at the ceremony in Harrisonburg, Va. Rose conferred degrees to approximately 3,567 undergraduate students and 558 graduate students at his final commencement exercises as JMU’s fifth president.

Local Residents named to William and Mary Dean’s List

The following local residents were recently named to the Dean’s List at the College of William and Mary for the spring 2012 semester:

• Rachel Bowman
• Eddy Jaimes Ayala
• Mary Leonard
• Ronald McKissick

In order to achieve Dean’s List status, a full-time degree seeking undergraduate student must take at least 12 credit hours and earn a 3.6 Quality-Point Average during the semester.

Austin Catherman Named to Dean’s List at Florida Tech

Austin Catherman of Chesterfield, was named to the Dean’s List at Florida Institute of Technology for the spring semester, which ended in May. Catherman is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management, Flight.

To be included on the Dean’s List, a student must complete 12 or more credits in a semester with a semester grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.4.

Rachael Hunter Buyalos awarded Pamplin Leader Award

Rachael Hunter Buyalos is the recipient of the 2012 Pamplin Leader Award at Thomas Dale High School. The award is a one-year, $1,000 tuition scholarship to Virginia Tech. It is presented annually to a top student from each public high school in Virginia. It was established by Robert B. Pamplin, Sr. (VT Class of ‘33) and Robert B. Pamplin Jr., to acknowledge students with a record of outstanding academic achievement that is balanced with a commitment to community service and leadership experience.

Buyalos was also awarded the Virginia Tech Alumni Scholarship, The American Legion Post 284 Scholarship and The Mathew C. Gwaltney Memorial Scholarship.

Katherine Pierce Graduates from Mercersburg Academy

Katherine Pierce of Chester  was one of 127 students who graduated from Mercersburg Academy at the school’s 119th Commencement ceremony at the close of the 2011–2012 academic year. Pierce will attend the College of Charleston.

Area student named to Dean’s List at University of Mary Washington

Meg W. Anderson, a senior, from Chesterfield, was named to the Dean’s List at University of Mary Washington for the spring semester of the 2011-12 academic year. The Dean’s List recognizes outstanding academic achievement by full-time students who attain a minimum grade-point average of 3.5 out of a possible 4.0.

Loren Favale named to Dean’s List at Emory & Henry

Loren Favale, of Chester, has been named to the Emory and Henry Dean’s List for the spring semester.

To be eligible for Dean’s List, a student must achieve a semester GPA of 3.6 or better and take a minimum of 12 credit hours of course work during the semester.

Local resident earns Bachelor’s Degree at Hollins

Madison Leigh Huneycutt of Chester, received the Bachelor of Arts degree in international studies during Hollins University’s 170th commencement ceremony on May 20.

Huneycutt, daughter of William and Mary Crotzer, is a graduate of Thomas Dale High School.

Chester residents named to Dean’s List at Radford University

The following local students attending Radford University were named to the Dean’s List for the Spring semester of the 2011-2012 academic year.

They are Michael Dean Blankenbecler, senior exercise, sport and health education major; Erica Luise Borges, sophomore interdisciplinary studies major; Elizabeth Sloane Crouch, sophomore pre-nursing major; Kara Jayne Ennist, sophomore pre-nursing major; Aja Liane Gore, sophomore management major; Christine Elizabeth Hargraves, senior art major; Logan Neel, sophomore pre-major; Allen Alexander Welch, junior criminal justice major; Courtney Amber Wilmoth, senior English major; and Shawn Jamel Wilson, junior criminal justice major.

To be named to the Dean’s List, a student must have taken 15 or more credit hours and have a grade-point average of 3.4 or above with no grade below a C.

Saint Augustine’s College admits Erika Dean

Saint Augustine’s College recently admitted more than 100 applicants for its fall 2012 semester, including Erika Dean of Richmond. Saint Augustine’s College received thousands of applications from high school seniors in the United States, as well as internationally.

Sultana Karim achieves Dean’s List Honors at Lock Haven University

Lock Haven University has released the names of students who achieved Dean’s List recognition for the Spring 2012 semester.

Named to the Lock Haven University Spring 2012 Dean’s List is Senior Sultana A. Karim, a resident of Chester, studying Psychology.

The Dean’s Honor List, prepared at the end of each semester, recognizes those students who have achieved academic distinction. To qualify for the Dean’s List, the student must have earned a GPA of at least 3.5 in 12 hours of letter grades.

Brenda Gardner receives scholarship

Local Chester resident Brenda Gardner, was awarded the University of Phoenix Richmond current student scholarship for her strong academic track record and commitment to her career.

Valdosta State announces Dean’s List

Valdosta State University has announced  that Amanda Vera Barfield and Brittany Lauren Barfield, both of  Chesterfield, have earned the academic status of Dean’s List for Spring 2012.

Students who achieve a semester GPA of 3.50 or higher on nine or more semester hours with an institutional (VSU) GPA of 3.00 or higher are recognized by being placed on the Dean’s List. Developmental Studies, transients and graduate students are not eligible for Dean’s List status.

John Randolph Foundation presents 50 scholarships and three educator awards

The John Randolph Foundation awarded over 50 scholarships, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, to local students at its annual scholarship awards at a reception at the Holiday Inn in Colonial Heights on May 24. Scholarship benefactors, volunteers, community leaders and foundation trustees were on hand to celebrate the event with scholarship recipients and their families.

In addition to scholarships, the Preston and Ann Leake Teacher Recognition and the John Randolph Medical Center Nurse Educator awards were presented at the event. Established in 2008, the $1,000 Leake award honors a teacher from Hopewell City Schools for their outstanding efforts in meeting the needs of local students. The John Randolph Medical Center Nurse Educator Award recognizes two nurse educators, one teaching on the high school level and one on the college level. Each recipient received a monetary award of $2,500.  Currently, the foundation administers 39 scholarship funds and three educator awards.

Following is a list of the 2012 John Randolph Foundation scholarship and award recipients who are from schools in Chesterfield County: Anderson J. Blevins and Thelma L. Hammond Scholarship, Erin Haas, Thomas Dale High School; Genevieve Renn Roscher Nursing Scholarship, Virginia Wright, Thomas Dale High School; Katy Clayton Memorial Scholarship, Mallory Seal, Thomas Dale High School; Louis C. and Ursula Sue Gibbs Scholarship, Matthew Reynolds, Matoaca High School; Plato George Eliades Law Scholarship, Emily Lewis, Thomas Dale High School; Rotary Club of Petersburg (Luncheon) Scholarship, Caroline Smith, Matoaca High School; Sylvia J. Slominski Nursing Scholarship, Kristen Kinker, Cosby High School; The Talegaonkar Medical Scholarship, Kelsey Daugherty, Thomas Dale High School; and John Randolph Medical Center Nurse Educator Award, Theresa Kennon, John Tyler Community College.

Jessica Karger Nisewonger earns Doctor of Optometry degree

Jessica Karger Nisewonger, O.D., of Chester, was among 121 students recently awarded the doctor of optometry degree from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis.
As a result of her outstanding work while at SCO, Nisewonger received the Low Vision Award. She also was awarded a Spectacle Diagnostic Kit for future practice, valued at

$1,300. A native of Chester, Nisewonger is the daughter of Sandra and George Karger and wife of Joshua Nisewonger. She is a graduate of Thomas Dale High School and James Madison University.

Optometrists are independent, primary health care providers who specialize in the examination, diagnosis, treatment and management of diseases/disorders of the visual system, the eye and associated structures, as well as the diagnosis of related systemic conditions.

Thomas Dale graduate, John Ridout, receives Ph.D.

John Stuart Ridout earned his Ph.D. in Planning, Design and the Built Environment from Clemson University’s College of Architecture, Arts, and Humanities on May 11, 2012. 

Dr. Ridout also holds a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from Clemson University and a bachelor’s degree in history and philosophy from the University of Mary Washington. He is the son of Stuart and Sue Ridout of Chester and is a 2002 graduate of Thomas Dale High School.  Dr. Ridout currently resides in Washington D.C. where his wife, Amy Jessee, works at Georgetown University.