On Campus: Great Achievements By College Students From Ellington And Somers

ELLINGTON-SOMERS, CT — Here are some recent notable accomplishments by local college students, as provided by readMedia Newswire. More great feats will be noted as they are received in the coming weeks.

Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic CT

• More than 800 Eastern Connecticut State University students received undergraduate and graduate-level degrees in the 2024-25 academic year, which culminated this past May with two commencement ceremonies at the conclusion of the spring 2025 semester. Among the graduates and their majors were Cameron Hague of Ellington, physical education; Kush Patel of Ellington, computer science; Jehu Angelo Armonio of Ellington, accounting; Brendan Burke of Ellington, business administration; Miranda Papineau of Ellington, criminology; Derek Pasini of Ellington, business administration; Isabella Piazza of Ellington, labor and human resources; Margaret Ritchie of Ellington, communication; Talal Shreidi of Ellington, computer science; Luke Sirois of Ellington, business administration; Jessica Stone of Ellington, environmental earth science; Shannon Whalen of Somers, psychology; Jaydon Griger of Somers, accounting; and Izabella Szleszynski of Somers, business administration.

Elms College, Chicopee MA

• Thomas Kennison of Somers received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Elms College following the conclusion of the spring 2025 semester. Kennison was among 279 students who received their degrees in December.
• The College of Our Lady of the Elms has named Francesca Cardinale and Thomas Kennison, both of Somers, and Christina Gottier and Andrew Velasquez, both of Ellington, to the dean's list for the spring 2025 semester.

Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison NJ

• Alison Kozik, of Ellington, a student at Fairleigh Dickinson University's Florham Campus in Madison, NJ, has been named to the Honors List for the spring 2025 semester. To qualify for the Honors List, a student must carry a 3.5 or better grade point average out of a possible 4.0 and be enrolled in a minimum of 12 letter-graded hours (four courses).

State University of New York, Cortland NY

• Ryan Wheeler of Ellington was among the 2,737 students named to the Dean's List at SUNY Cortland for the sSpring 2025 semester. Wheeler's major is archaeology. The Dean's List is the highest ranking for undergraduate students in their respective academic areas of the university. Students must earn a minimum 3.3 grade point average for the semester to make the list.

University of Hartford, West Hartford CT

• A number of local students made the President's List for the spring 2025 semester. From Ellington: Tamera Price, Sophie Vallez, Carlie Bouchard, Meaghan Bucklin, Tessa Farrington, John Hintze, Sydney Matz, Claire McMenamin, Nora Miller, Melissa Ryan and Lindsey Wearne. From Somers: Jed Clark, Aiden Dultz, Reese Emlen, Alexandra McLellan and Taylor Mynahan. To be placed on the President's List, students must maintain a GPA of at least a 3.75 and receive grades of C or better.
• Students from Ellington and Somers made the Dean's List for spring 2025 with a grade point average of at least 3.0 and no grade below C. From Ellington: Tamera Price. Sophie Vallez, Carlie Bouchard, Meaghan Bucklin, Tessa Farrington, John Hintze, Bridget Lucey, Sydney Matz, Claire McMenamin, Nora Miller, Melissa Ryan, Kareem Shreidi, Katherine Wearne and Lindsey Wearne. From Somers: Celia Bruel, Trent Beggs, Mara Butler, Bella Caye, Jed Clark, Aiden Dultz, Reese Emlen, Audrey Mahoney, Alexandra McLellan, Taylor Mynahan and Jacob St. Cyr.