College Credits: Aurora Student Participates In Co-Op With Mercedes

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 track and field athlete sets Nazareth Academy jump record

Congratulations to Lesroy Tittle, of Aurora, an individual IHSA State Medalist in Boys Track & Field. Lesroy competed in the Long Jump at the 2A State Finals at Eastern Illinois University on May 25 with a distance of 6.77m to finish in third place and set a new Nazareth Academy jump record. This is Nazareth’s second State medal in the Long Jump (Mike Dore ‘10 took ninth place in 2010) and the highest finish ever for Nazareth in a Boys Track & Field event. Lesroy is also a member of the two-time State Championship Football team at Nazareth.

— Alena Murguia

Aurora student performs in Augustana Choir California tour

Cassidy Wiltjer, a Vocal Music Education major from Aurora, was one of 54 Augustana College students who performed in the Augustana Choir tour of California from March 21 to March 25. The choir performed at five Southern California churches, followed by a home concert on April 6 in Davenport.

Under the direction of Dr. Jon Hurty, more than 50 students performed a mix of traditional and modern choral selections from various composers. During this tour, students shared a part of the Midwest choral tradition with friends, family and colleagues in California.

Established in 1931, the Augustana Choir has been conducted by Dr. Hurty since 1996. Under Dr. Hurty's direction, the choir has performed at Orchestra Hall in Chicago, Alice Tully Hall and Carnegie Hall in New York City, as well as many major cathedrals and concert venues in Sweden, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, Austria, Japan, Korea, Spain, France and the Czech Republic.

— Merit Pages News

Local student participates in cooperative education program for Mercedes Benz

University of Alabama student Liam Fitzpatrick of Aurora is participating in UA's Cooperative Education Program during the summer 2024 semester. Fitzpatrick is working for Mercedes Benz, U.S. International.

In the Cooperative Education Program, students alternate periods of full-time study with periods of full-time employment. This program offers work related to the academic major or career interests of each student.

While in school, students carry regular course schedules. While on co-op, they work with professionals in their fields who supervise their training and work. At work, co-op students earn competitive salaries and may receive benefit packages in addition to valuable job experience. Participants maintain their full-time student status while at work and have priority registration status each semester through graduation.

— Merit Pages News

Aurora student named to Ohio University provost’s list

Ohio University Scripps College of Communication student Mara Bradley of Aurora, IL has been named to the Fall 2023 Provost's List.

At the end of each semester, Ohio University's undergraduate students are evaluated based on their semester GPA and hours to determine placement on the President's List, Dean's List or Provost's List.

The Provost's List recognition is shared with high-achieving, part-time undergraduate students who exemplify academic success. Qualifying students must possess a 3.5 or greater GPA and between 6 and 11.99 credit hours attempted for letter grades that are used to calculate GPA.

— Merit Pages News

Ohio University fall 2023 dean’s list names Aurora students

Multiple Ohio University students have been recognized within the 2023 Fall Dean's List.

Ohio's Dean's List recognizes undergraduate students who complete a particular semester with a GPA between 3.5 and 3.999 with a minimum of 12 hours attempted for letter grades that are used to calculate GPA.

In fall semester 2023, approximately 6,000 Ohio University undergraduate students qualified for the Dean's List. A complete listing is available online.

• Emmy Schmaedeke of Aurora, IL
• Thomas Sondag of Aurora, IL
• Taylor Wesely of Aurora, IL

— Merit Pages News

Student from Aurora inducted into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi

Iman Mehmood of Aurora, Illinois, was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Mehmood was initiated at Northern Illinois University.

Mehmood is among approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 under the leadership of undergraduate student Marcus L. Urann who had a desire to create a different kind of honor society: one that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines. Today, the Society has chapters on more than 325 campuses in the United States, its territories and the Philippines. Its mission is "To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others."

— Merit Pages News