Jessica Anne Griswold of Hillsborough received a bachelor of science degree magna cum laude May 11, 2014, from the University of Richmond (Va.) She majored in chemistry and minored in business.
Jessica receivced departmental honors and the American Institute of Chemists award for excellence in chemistry. She is a member of the the Phi Eta Sigma National Honour Society, Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society and Sigma Pi Pi chemistry honor society. She received the Cole Memorial Scholarship.
She was a chemistry research fellow with Dr. Raymond Dominey and Dr. Emma Goldman and served as a chemistry lab teaching assistant and senior class gift committee co-chair. She also was varsity cheerleading captain, a campus tour guide and a member services specialist for the university’s Weinstein Center for Recreation and Wellness. She served as social chairman and Panhellenic delegate for Delta Delta Delta sorority.
She plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry. Jessica is the daughter of Joseph and Beth Griswold.
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Four Hillsborough residents were among about 3,000 undergraduates to receive degrees at commencement at the University of Rhode Island, located in Kingston, on May 17-18, 2014.
Joseph Higgins received a bachelor of arts in writing and rhetoric, Cassidy Johnson received a bachelor of science in kinesiology, and Caitlyn Staszczyk a bachelor of science in nutrition and dietetics.
Sarah Merolla of Hillsborough received a bachelor of science degree in marine biology with summa cum laude honors for graduating with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.7. Her minor was wildlife conservation biology.
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Emily Sellar of Manville graduated magna cum laude from the University of New Haven, on May 18, 2014, with a bachelor of science degree in hospitality and tourism management with a concentration in event and tourism and a minor in management of sports industries.
Emily was one of the first students to complete their bachelor’s degrees in just three years as a part of University of New Haven’s College of Business Fast Track program. She was a senator for the Undergraduate Student Government Association, president of the Professional Convention Management Association, and a member of the Eta Sigma Delta international hospitality honor society and Sigma Beta Delta international honor society for business.
She was on the dean’s list every semester and, as a graduating senior, she was awarded the outstanding achievement award in event and tourism management.
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Eric Muldoon of Hillsborough completed his baccalaureate studies at State University of New York at Oswego, earning a bachelor of arts degree in graphic design.
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Two Hillsborough students were among 590 undergraduate students in the Class of 2014 awarded degrees during the Lafayette College’s 179th commencement held Saturday, May 24, in Easton, Pa.
The local graduates are Stephen Schappert, who earned a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering and Sara Yeganeh, who graduated cum laude and earned a bachelor of arts degree in government and law/psychology (double major) with honors in government and law.
Commencement speaker was Portia Simpson Miller, prime minister of Jamaica, who was awarded an honorary doctor of public service degree. She delivered her address, "Balancing the Books While Balancing People’s Lives," on the campus Quad.
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Stephen Cowen, son of Thomas and Jeanette Cowen of Hillsborough, received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Rowan University in May.
Stephen is a 2010 graduate of Hillsborough High School and is employed as a project engineer with Coperion K Tron in Pitman, N.J.
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To have a graduation announcement printed, email words and photos to Managing Editor Gene Robbins at [email protected].

