College Credits: Aurora Native Honored For Being Outstanding Student

AURORA, IL — We're keeping track of all the major higher education accomplishments of students in the area. Send your submissions to emily.rosca@patch.com.

Aurora native honored for being outstanding student at Southern Illinois University

The Southern Illinois University System Board of Trustees and the Student Advisory Committee for the SIU System (SACSS) are honoring some outstanding students with the 2024 SIU System Distinguished Student Service Award. Eight students from our SIU campuses in Carbondale, Edwardsville and Springfield were recently honored at the SIU board meeting that was held in Carbondale on April 11, 2024.

“SIU is proud to have so many wonderfully accomplished students who are not only making a major impact on campus but also in the greater communities,” said SIU System President Dan Mahony.

The SACSS advises SIU administrators on student-related issues that are pertinent at the system level. It also serves as a vehicle to discuss matters impacting the campuses, share ideas and projects, find solutions to problems, and work together on vital student concerns.

“This committee works very hard to be a voice for their fellow students and to recognize the outstanding work their peers are doing at SIU,” said Dr. Gireesh Gupchup, SIU VP of Academic Innovation, Planning and Partnerships.

With the 2024 SIU System Distinguished Student Service Award, the SACSS received applications from across the system and selected one undergraduate student and one graduate student each from SIU Edwardsville and SIU Carbondale, as well as one student from the SIU schools of medicine, law, pharmacy and dental medicine.

We are honored to share more about the 2024 SIU System Distinguished Student Service Award recipients.

SIU School of Medicine Student, Ashley-Ann Walker (hometown: Aurora, Ill.): Ashley-Ann is a third-year medical student who is pursuing a career as a surgeon. The daughter of two immigrants from Jamaica has a special interest in global healthcare. She has organized and participated in various medical missions abroad. Ashley-Ann started the SIU School of Medicine's Global Brigades chapter. Global Brigades is an international nonprofit organization that collaborates with communities to help them overcome global poverty. Ashley-Ann served as chapter president for the 2023 brigade to Panama where they set up free clinics and delivered medical supplies to underserved communities.

— Southern Illinois University

Aurora students earn spots on Coastal Carolina University dean’s list

More than 1,300 students earned a spot on the President's List for the Fall 2023 semester at Coastal Carolina University. Students who made the President's List have achieved a 4.0 grade point average during the semester.

• Lindsay Foulis of Aurora, IL (60504)
• Paige Sullivan of Aurora, IL (60504)

— Merit Pages News

Holy Cross' Fall 2023 Dean's List

Nora Brink of Aurora was named to the College of the Holy Cross Spring 2023 Dean's List.

A member of the Class of 2026, Brink was named to the Dean's List for outstanding academic achievement during the fall semester of the 2023-24 academic year.

To qualify, students must pass four or more letter-graded courses with no failing grades during the semester and earn a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

— Merit Pages News

Emerson College student from Aurora makes dean’s list

Emerson College student Danika Benziger from Aurora is named to the College's Dean's List for the Fall 2023 semester. The requirement to make Dean's List is a grade point average of 3.7 or higher for that semester.

Benziger is majoring in Creative Writing BFA and is a member of the Class of 2026.

— Merit Pages News

University of Mississippi celebrates graduate from Aurora

Tyler Magnuson, of Aurora, IL, is among the more than 670 students who graduated from the University of Mississippi in December 2023.

Magnuson, who majored in Criminal Justice, received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree in the School of Applied Sciences.

"Congratulations to our December 2023 graduates who are distinguished by their dedication to academic success," UM Chancellor Glenn Boyce said. "They accomplished so much during their years at the university. I applaud them and can't wait to see all the ways they will continue building their legacies that began here."

— Merit Pages News

Aurora student makes dean’s list at University of Maryland global campus

Ashley Peterson-Phillips of Aurora was named to the Dean's List for the fall semester at University of Maryland Global Campus. To be eligible for the honor, a student must complete at least six credits during the term, earned a grade point average of at least 3.5 for the term, and maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.5 at UMGC.

— Merit Pages News

Aurora students help raise money for children’s hospital

More than 1,100 current University of Iowa students participated in the 30th annual student-led Dance Marathon, generating more than $1.4 million for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital. Dance Marathon has generated more than $35.8 million in its history.

The final tally raised by the students was $1,454,929, a total which pushed the amount of support generated by Dance Marathon over the course of its 30-year history to more than $35 million.

Dance Marathon's "Big Event" is the celebration of UI students' year-round dedication to the children and families who have received treatment at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital. Dancers and Dance Marathon leadership fundraise for 365 days to reach their individual fundraising goal.

• Stephanie Guerrero of Aurora, IL [Official DM registration type: Dancer; Number of years of participation in DM: second]
• Tristan Colin of Aurora, IL [Official DM registration type: Dancer; Number of years of participation in DM: first]
• Laney Porter of Aurora, IL [Official DM registration type: Dancer; Number of years of participation in DM: first]
• Isabel Langenkamp of Aurora, IL [Official DM registration type: Dancer; Number of years of participation in DM: first]
• Norah Hass of Aurora, IL [Official DM registration type: Dancer; Number of years of participation in DM: first]
• Sarah Fournier of Aurora, IL [Official DM registration type: Dancer; Number of years of participation in DM: first]
• Ryan Schlesinger of Aurora, IL [Official DM registration type: Dancer; Number of years of participation in DM: third]
• Hannah Nabicht of Aurora, IL [Official DM registration type: Dancer; Number of years of participation in DM: first]

— Merit Pages News