By Ruth Luse, Managing Editor
Residents of the Hopewell Valley area recently received various degrees from colleges and universities. They include:
• Titusville resident and 2007 graduate of The Pennington School, Sarah Alanna Logsdon graduated magna cum laude from Washington College, Chestertown, Maryland, with a bachelors’ degree in economics on May 22. She is a member of Omicron Delta Epsilon (economics), Sigma Delta Pi (Spanish) and The Cater Society of Junior Fellows Honor Societies. She also was a Spanish Club president, member of Campus Christian Fellowship, played Club Lacrosse and worked in sports management and the fitness center. She studied abroad at Bond University in Australia the first semester of her junior year. Having earned enough credits to complete her education in December 2010, she has been employed as a temp junior financial analyst with Bloomberg LP since January and is pursuing a permanent employment opportunity.
• Dr. Meggie M.G. Grafton, of Titusville, received her doctoral degree in biomedical engineering from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. Her research focused on developing a portable microfluidic cytometer for blood analysis on NASA space shuttles. She was a member of the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Student Association and the Nanotechnology Student Advisory Council during her five years at Purdue. She presented her research at international and national conferences and won an Outstanding Poster award at the XXIV International Congress of the International Society of Analytical Cytology. She is working on a post-doctorate at the University of Michigan. She is the daughter of the late Sharon Grafton, Gregory Grafton and Cindy Grafton of Titusville, granddaughter of Ruth and the late Henry Grafton of Pennington and Paul and Shirley Garrison of Hopewell. Dr. Grafton was a 2001 graduate of Hopewell Valley Central High School and a 2005 graduate of The College of New Jersey.
• Megan Elizabeth DiBiase, daughter of Mary Beth DiBiase and Dr. John DiBiase of Titusville, graduated in May from Seton Hall University, South Orange, with a bachelor’s degree in Nursing. At Seton Hall, she was inducted into the Order of Omega nation Greek Leadership Honor Society. She is a 2007 graduate of Hopewell Valley Central High School.
• Max Konig, son of Paula Horowitz and Joe Knotts of Titusville, graduated cum laude from the Boston University College of Engineering. He majored in manufacturing engineering, where he won a top honor for Outstanding Senior Project in Manufacturing Engineering with the “Bleck Design Group Failure Analysis of Sternal Suturing Device.” He is an official Massachusetts resident and a manufacturing engineer at A&A Industries of Peabody. He spends his free time scuba diving and is adept at catching lobsters by hand.
• Alicia Hill, of Pennington and the HVCHS Class of 2007, graduated with a 4.0 GPA (summa cum laude) from the College of New Jersey in May. She was a double major and earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood/elementary dducation as well as a degree in psychology. She is a member of the Psi Chi International Honor Society in psychology, the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in education, the Golden Key International Honour Society, and The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. She was the recipient of the 2011 Dr. Anthony E. Conte Scholarship for Kappa Delta Pi and is a recipient of a 2011 New Jersey Distinguished Student Teacher Award.
• Abby Rachel Stern, daughter of Nadine and Carl Stern of Pennington, graduated from The College of New Jersey with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics secondary and honors, including Phi Beta Kappa. She will attend graduate school at Rutgers University in the fall in the College Student Affairs program.
• Sarah Switlik, a 2007 graduate of HVCHS and resident of Pennington, graduated magna cum laude from Babson College in May with a degree in international economics. While at Babson, she captained the women’s ice hockey team three of the four years she played. She was an active member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority and, in her senior year, was chosen as “Miss Babson.”
• Travis Wolfe, 2006 graduate of Hopewell Valley Central High, graduated with University Honors from Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in May. He earned a bachelor’s degree with majors in information systems and statistics and a minor in computer science. He also was president of the Cycling Club. He will attend Johns Hopkins University this fall with a full fellowship to their doctoral program in computer science.
• Michael DiCocco, of Pennington, graduated from Rider University in May with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He is the son of Carmen and Tricia DiCocco.
• Ryan McInerney, of Hopewell, recently graduated from Loyola University, Maryland, with a bachelor’s degree in history. He played four years on Loyola’s Ice Hockey Club and participated in the 2011 ACHA DIII National Championship.
• Richard “Rick” E.G. Gainsborg graduated magna cum laude in the Baccalaureate Honors Program at Rider University this May. He received a bachelor’s degree in history with honors. In addition he earned a minor in German also with honors.
• Caitlin A Timmins, a 2007 graduate of Hopewell Valley Central High School, graduated cum laude from Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, in May. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and is going on to Kansas State University to pursue a master’s degree in public health and a doctorate in veterinary medicine. She is the daughter of Scott and Kelly Timmins of Lambertville.
• Kathleen Blythe, daughter of Shawn and Jennifer Blythe of Hopewell Borough. graduated cum laude from Eastern University (St. Davids, Pennsylvania in May, with a bachelor’s degree in English. She is employed by Airmatic in Malvern, Pennsylvania, and is planning an August wedding in Hopewell.
• Marguerite McCullough Emhof recently received a bachelor’s degree in human science from Georgetown University. She was a four-year Division 1 athlete and captain of Georgetown’s Lightweight Women’s crew team. William Sutcliffe Emhof Jr. received a bachelor’s degree in music composition from Penn State University. He was involved in music at Penn State, arranging songs and performing as the vocal percussionist in the a cappella group, “Shades of Blue.” He is composing and performing his own indie music with his group, “Hustle the Nobles.” The twins grew up in Pennington and attended Toll Gate Grammar, Timberlane Middle and Hopewell Valley Central High schools.
• Heather Wiese, of Titusville, graduated magna cum laude from Duke University in May with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and theater studies with a minor in education. She graduated with highest distinction in theater studies and was awarded the Richard E. Cytowic Outstanding Acting Student Award and the Hal Brody Award for Excellence in Musical Theater. She also received a Holton Prize for Education Research. She will return to Duke on scholarship in the fall to complete her teaching certification so she can teach high school mathematics. She was the valedictorian for the Notre Dame High School Class of 2007.
• Catharine S. Brookes, a 2007 graduate of Hopewell Valley Central High School, received a bachelor’s degree cum laude in environmental studies and economics in May from Connecticut College in New London. Through the college’s Goodwin-Niering Center for the Environment, she achieved the Certificate in Environmental Studies. This required successful integration of coursework, a relevant internship, and an original senior integrative project. She interned with Terracycle, Inc. in Trenton. Her senior project was “Waste-d: Redefining Waste Through Material Life Cycles.” Her junior year study abroad took her to University of Cape Town, South Africa. Throughout her college career she competed for the college’s varsity swim team in the NESCAC Conference.
• William Richard Dunne, son of Richard and Nancy Dunne of Pennington, graduated in May from Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He is a 2007 graduate of Hopewell Valley Central High School. While at Lehigh, he was team captain and a four-time letter winner on the Lehigh men’s swim team. Each year, he qualified to participate in the Patriot League Championships where he placed in the top 10 for the 100- and 200-yard backstroke all four years. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and is planning to attend law school.
• Eric M. Doran, of Pennington and a 2007 HoVal graduate, received a bachelor’s degree in government with a minor in economics from Connecticut College, New London, in May. He was a dean’s list recipient five out of eight semesters while playing four years of varsity lacrosse, during which he earned all conference and all New England recognition and served as captain his senior year. He is employed by the Lloyd Group in New York City as an operations analyst.
• Devin Blair Kennedy, son of Mary Lou and Patrick Kennedy of Hopewell, was awarded a bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, in comparative literature from Princeton University in May. He is a 2007 honors graduate of The Lawrenceville School. His senior thesis, “Contested Body: Identity, Anatomy, Sign,” was awarded the University Center for Human Values Thesis Prize, as well as an honorable mention for the Comparative Literature Senior Thesis Prize. During his four years at Princeton, he sang with “The Footnotes,” an all-male a cappella group, and served as the group’s president and business manager. He has accepted a position in publishing in New York.
• James Augustus Romano, M.D., son of Dr. and Mrs. C. James Romano, graduated from, Drexel University College of Medicine in May. A graduate of Hopewell Valley Central High School and Colorado College, he was elected to membership in Alpha Omega Alpha, the national medical honor society. In addition, he received the Daniel M. Tabas Award for outstanding Scholarly Achievement by a Student Pursuing a Career in Primary Care, and the William Likoff, M.D., Award for Distinction in the Care of Medical Patients and Commitment to Academic Excellence. He is pursuing his residency in Family Medicine at the Mountain Area Health Education Center in Asheville, North Carolina.
• Kristin Nicole Hageman, of Pennington and daughter of Michael and JoAnn Hageman, graduated magna cum laude from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, in May with a bachelor’s degree, with a major in biomedical engineering and a minor in electrical engineering. She was awarded the Mark Bernstein Memorial Award, for outstanding achievement in academics, leadership, biomedical research, and service to the university, department and community. She was also awarded the J. Thomas Mortimer Cooperative Education Award for her work at Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, while maintaining the highest grade point average of cooperative education students. She plans to attend Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, where she will pursue a doctorate in biomedical engineering.
• Abigail Elizabeth Harris-Shea (Hopewell Valley High School Class of 2007) graduated in May cum laude from Lehigh University with a double major in English and graphic design. She is working as a visual designer at Logical Design Solutions and living in Madison. Her parents, Abi Harris and Ed Shea, reside in Pennington.
• Will Christiansen, of Hopewell Township, graduated from the The College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio, in May with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. He is a 2007 graduate of The Hun School of Princeton.
• Patricia Comly, of Pennington, a student on Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Metropolitan Campus, located in Teaneck, graduated in May.
• Fairleigh Dickinson University’s College at Florham has released the names of students who had graduated as of May. Students include Alexander Pepperman, of Pennington, and Timothy Cahn, of Pennington.
• Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, has announced that Jennifer Raughley, daughter of Anne Raughley of Hopewell, graduated with a degree in general fine arts in May.
• Northeastern University celebrated its 109th commencement in May. The following local residents were among the 3,200 graduating seniors: Melissa Lynn Newton, of Pennington, with a major in cultural anthropology; and Darah M. Wolf, of Penningon, with a mayor in communication studies.
• Lauren Canosa, of Pennington, graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology from East Stroudsburg University. She will start her graduate studies for a master’s degree at East Stroudsburg in the fall.
• The following were among 2,100 students who participated in the 2011 commencement ceremony at The College of New Jersey in May: Gina Colati, Pennington, bachelor’s degree in communication studies; Kristin Brathole, Pennington, a bachelor’s degree in management; John Silver, Pennington, a master’s degree in English; Alicia Hill, Pennington, a bachelor’s degree in early childhood (summa cum laude); Susan Mitrano, Titusville, a bachelor’s degree in art education (magna cum laude); Louis Giallella, Titusville, a bachelor’s degree in criminology; Christina Aniboli, Titusville, a bachelor’s degree in psychology; Miriam Khan, Titusville, a bachelor’s degree in psychology; Michael Matlack, Titusville, a bachelor’s degree in special education; Camille Deering, Titusville, a bachelor’s degree in biology (cum laude).
• Boston University awarded academic degrees to 5,824 students in May. Among those receiving degrees were: Jourdan L. Kaufman, Titusville, bachelor’s degree in communication; Carl R. Sebestyen, Pennington, master’s degree in computer information systems; and Alison K. Huggins, Pennington, bachelor’s degree in therapeutic studies (magna cum laude).
• Mark J. Squicciarino, of Titusville, graduated from Colby College in May, receiving a bachelor’s degree. He majored in economics with a concentration in financial markets. The son of Joseph and Sharon Squicciarino, he is a graduate of Hopewell Valley Central High School.
• Dylan Catherina, son of Joseph Catherina and Eileen Catherina of Pennington, graduated from Ithaca College’s Roy H. Park School of Communications in May.
• Katherine W. Kolombatovich, formerly of Hopewell Township, graduated from Columbia University with a bachelor’s degree in creative writing/film studies. She is working at The Mill, a production company based in New York, Los Angeles and London.
• Olivia Quinn Stabile Stoker, daughter of Dennis Stoker and Victoria Stabile of Hopewell Borough, graduated magna cum laude from Princeton University in May. She received a degree in Italian and achieved High Honors in her major with a Certificate in Theater and a Certificate in Jazz Vocal Performance.
• Rider University recently celebrated its 146th commencement.A rea degree recipients include:Christine Clagett, Pennington, bachelor’s degree in liberal studies; Alexa Geherty, Pennington, bachelor’s degree in business administration (advertising); Benjamin Hart, Pennington, bachelor’s degree in accounting; Melody Lorenz, Pennington, master’s degree in educational leadership; Robin Muhlstein, Pennington, master’s degree in special education; Tyler Vecere, Pennington, bachelor’s degree, business economics; Stephanie Wenskoski, Pennington, bachelor’s degree, psychology; Carmine DiCocco, Pennington, bachelor’s degree (business administration); William Finnegan, Titusville, master’s degree (business administration).
• Douglas Deutsch, ofTitusville, graduated with a Artium Baccalarius degree in arts and sciences from Cornell University in May.
• The following local students graduated recently from La Salle University: Lauren DiGaetano, of Pennington, master’s degree (special education); Tierney Wargo, of Titusville, bachelor’s degree in nursing.
• Timothy Haberin, of Pennington, graduated from Villanova University in May.
• Joshua Camins-Esakov, son of Sharon Camins and Jeffrey Esakov of Pennington, graduated magna cum laude from the University of New Haven in May. He received bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and psychology. He will begin graduate school in the fall at Towson University.
• Jamie Bartolino of Titusville, graduated magna cum laude from Elizabethtown College in May with a bachelor’s degree in communications.
• Stephen H. Deitchman, of Titusville, received a bachelor’s with Special Attainments in Commerce degree from Washington and Lee University in May. He majored in business administration.
• The following were among students awarded degrees at St. Lawrence University’s Commencement ceremony in May: Eileen M. Carroll, of Pennington and a graduate of Hopewell Valley Central High School, degree (cum laude) in environmental studies/government (minor in African studies); Charles R. Gates, of Pennington and a graduate of The Hun School of Princeton, a degree in English.
• Maeve Ryan, of Pennington, has graduated from Boston College with a bachelor’s degree from the University’s College of Arts and Sciences. She majored in communication, English.
• Emma Cantor, daughter of Glenn Cantor and Inge Eriks of Hopewell Township, graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor’s degree in biology and anthropology. She is employed at the Pediatric Cancer Biology Program at the Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon.
• Erin Amanda Franz (2006 graduate of Hopewell Valley Central High School) graduated in May 2010 from Duke University with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering with minors in chemistry and English. She is employed by Accenture in Florham Park, in the Systems Integrated Consulting Group.
• Benjamin J. Gwin, of Titusville, graduated from Chatham University, Pittsburgh, in May with a master’s degree in creative writing .
• The University of Scranton conferred degrees at its undergraduate commencement in May. The following local residents earned degrees: Jameson R. Gehm, of Pennington, bachelor’s degree in marketing from the Kania School of Management; Eric T. Speelman, of Titusville. Bachelor’s degree in computer science from the College of Arts and Sciences.
• Alexandra Davis Akins, of Pennington, received a bachelor’s degree from Drew University in May.
• Pennington resident Amanda Nini recently graduated from the Earle Mack School of Law at Drexel University with a juris doctor degree.
• Students were awarded a variety of bachelor’s degrees during the University of Vermont’s commencement in May. They include: Emily A. Knight, Pennington, a bachelors’ degree in public communication; Emily J. Rodriguez, Pennington, a bachelor’s degree in English.
• Joseph Stellino, of Pennington, received a master’s degree in education from Holy Family University, Philadelphia, in May.
• The following graduated from York College of Pennsylvania in May: Andrew Carson, of Pennington, bachelor’s degree in public relations; Kelsey Cahill, of Pennington, bachelor’s degree in behavioral science.
• Michelle Facompre, of Pennington, received a bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising from Marist College in May.
• Lehigh University students were awarded degrees in May. Local graduates include: David Beard, of Pennington, bachelor’s degree in business and economics; Katharine Bridgeman, of Pennington, master’s degree in education; Matthew Hilderbrandt, of Pennington, bachelors’ degree in business and economics; Gregory Stolowski, of Pennington, master’s degree in engineering.
