Reston College Students Earn Accolades At Their Schools

RESTON, VA — To shine a light on the academic achievements of college students from the Reston area, Patch shares information provided by the students' families and Merit News.

Alessia Waitt graduated magna cum laude in May from Christopher Newport University with a major in English and a minor in leadership. She was accepted into the masters in teaching (MAT) graduate program, and has already started her masters studies this summer.

Sravan Chaitanya Kurivella of Reston recently graduated from the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Virginia. Sravan Chaitanya completed their master of science in Information Technology.

Kathryn Wills of Reston graduated with a doctor of chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic's West campus in San Jose, California on March 25.

Gillian Weed of Reston was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Weed was initiated at Virginia Tech.

Charlotte Maclachlan of Reston was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Maclachlan was initiated at James Madison University.

Jared Turn and Gwendolyn Dixon of Reston were recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Turn and Dixon were initiated at Old Dominion University.

Marc Bekenstein of Reston has enrolled at McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland as a member of the class of 2026. Bekenstein is a graduate of South Lakes High School and plans to study Business Administration.

Dylan Hardin, Natalie McCrea, ReBecca Ricks, and Tanisha Walker, who are all from Reston, were named to the winter 2022 president's list at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Rohan Bhandari of Reston graduated from Campbellsville University in Campbellsville, Kentucky, during commencement ceremonies in May.

Andrew Hazlett of Reston graduated with a BA in political science from Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland, during the 239th commencement exercises on May 22.

Ilunga Nday of Reston was named to the dean's list for the spring 2022 semester at Campbellsville University in Campbellsville, Kentucky.

Jason Grove of Reston, who is majoring in industrial & innovative design, was named to the dean's honor list for spring 2022 at Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio. To be named to the dean's list, a CU student must obtain a 3.75 grade point average or higher while carrying 12 or more credit hours.

Rohan Bhandari of Reston recently graduated from Campbellsville University in Campbellsville, Kentucky.

Grace Leone earned a bachelor of arts degree in English on May 14, from Grove City College in Grove City, Pennsylvania.

Laura Hamilton and Grace Leone were named to the spring 2022 dean's list at Grove City College in Grove City, Pennsylvania. To be named to the dean's list, Grove City students must earn a grade point average of 3.40 to 3.59.

The following students from Reston were named to the spring 2022 dean's list in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Vermont:

• Anne O'Hara, undeclared major
• Nora Thomas, environmental studies major

To be named to the dean's list, students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or better and rank in the top 20 percent of there class or school.

Jennifer Koppang of Reston graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in Global Studies during commencement ceremonies in May at the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont.

Jesse Davis of Reston has been named to the spring 2022 dean's list at Berea College in Berea, Kentucky. To be named to the dean's list, Berea students must earn a grade point average of 3.4 or higher while passing at least four total credits on a coarse load equal to 16 semester hours.

The following students from Reston were named to the spring 2022 president's list at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia:

• Cristina Tonetti of Reston
• Karisa Chaichana of Reston
• Isabelle Roy of Reston

To be named to the president's list, UW students enrolled in baccalaureate degree programs must complete at least 12 semester hours and earn a grade point average of 3.90 or higher for the semester.

Grant W. Jennings of Reston received a bachelor of arts in sociology degree from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, during the university's 118th commencement exercises on Sunday, May 22.

Vanessa Grace Bliss of Reston graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in theatre arts from McDaniel College in Westminister, Maryland on May 21.

The following local students were awarded degrees during May 2022 commencement ceremonies at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia:

• Ani Davis of Reston graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in chemistry.
• Isabel Robles of Reston graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in dance.
• Kata Major of Reston graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in nursing.
• Kelly Cox of Reston graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in English.
• Abigail Collins of Reston graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in chemistry.
• Ellie Jamborsky of Reston graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary liberal studies.
• Isabelle Wnek of Reston graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in special education.
• Charlotte Maclachlan of Reston graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in economics.
• Nina Dixon of Reston graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in nursing.
• Corrine Kim of Reston graduated with a bachelor's degree in computer information systems.
• Lily Byrnes of Reston graduated with a bachelor's degree in international affairs.
• Amy Garibaldi of Reston graduated with a bachelor's degree in marketing.
• Jamalia Richards of Reston graduated with a bachelor's degree in health sciences.
• John Dooley of Reston graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science.
• Savannah Cline of Reston graduated with a master's degree in education.
• Brooke O Donnell of Reston graduated with a master's degree in education.
• Jessica Lamke of Reston graduated with a master's degree in education.
• Jennifer Lewis of Reston graduated with a master's degree in speech-language pathology.
• Constantine Kit of Reston graduated with a bachelor's degree in international affairs.
• Samuel Kobayashi of Reston graduated with a bachelor's degree in marketing.

Don't see your award-winning scholar among those appearing in this academic honors list? Send the details to Patch editor Michael O'Connell at michael.occonnell@patch.com and Patch will include them in a future post.