Local student graduates from Oberlin College and Conservatory
Trevor Joseph Smith of Blacksburg was among more than 700 students honored during Oberlin College and Conservatory’s 2025 commencement exercises, held under postcard-perfect Memorial Day skies in the community’s tree-lined Tappan Square. Smith graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Politics.
James Madison University announces spring 2025 President’s List
HARRISONBURG – The following students made the James Madison University President’s List for the spring 2025 semester: Leah Keefer, who majored in Nursing; Jessica Craig, who majored in Psychology and Natalie Jones, who majored in Psychology, all of Radford. Natalie Neumann, who majored in Biology and Luke West, who majored in History, both of Blacksburg; Mackenzie Kidwell of Shawsville, who majored in Biology; Joana Barbosa, who majored in Business Management, Dawn Stanger, who majored in Nursing, and Madelyn Moles, who majored in Nursing, all of Christiansburg; Madison Ketterer, who majored in Health Sciences and Kirsten Fleet, who majored in Kinesiology, both of Riner.
James Madison University announces spring 2025 honors graduates
HARRISONBURG – The following students graduated with honors from James Madison University during the May 2025 commencement exercises: Nathaniel Meredith of Christiansburg who graduated Cum Laude in Political Science; Abigail Roberson of Blacksburg who graduated Magna Cum Laude in History; Adeline Zeiger of Blacksburg who graduated Magna Cum Laude in Health Services Admin; Dawn Stanger of Christiansburg who graduated Magna Cum Laude in Nursing; Miranda Lattimer of Christiansburg who graduated Summa Cum Laude in Comm Sciences & Disorders; and Madison Ketterer of Riner who graduated Summa Cum Laude in Health Sciences.
Blacksburg student graduates from Emerson College
BOSTON – Emerson College awarded approximately 1,000 undergraduate degrees to the Class of 2025 during its 145th Commencement at Agganis Arena in Boston, Mass. on Sunday, May 11, 2025. Diego Centeno of Blacksburg received a BFA in Media Arts Production. Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actress and Performing Arts alum Jennifer Coolidge gave the commencement address.
Blacksburg student earns spring semester dean’s list recognition at Ohio Wesleyan University
DELAWARE, OHIO – Spencer Amacher of Blacksburg, has been named to the 2025 spring semester Dean’s List at Ohio Wesleyan University. To earn Dean’s List recognition, Ohio Wesleyan students must achieve a grade point average of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 scale in all applicable classes.
Riner student named to East Stroudsburg University spring 2025 dean’s list
EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. – A total of 1,741 students, including Ethan Millirons, have been named to the Dean’s List at East Stroudsburg University for the Spring 2025 semester of the 2024-2025 academic year, as announced by Margaret Ball D.M.A., the university’s provost and vice president for academic affairs. Millirons is a Sport Management major from Riner.
Local student named to Bucknell University dean’s list
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell University has released the dean’s list for outstanding academic achievement during the spring semester of the 2024-25 academic year, which includes Charlie MacKenzie, 2028, Computer Engineering, of Blacksburg. A student must earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a scale of 4.0 to receive dean’s list recognition.
Blacksburg student named to Westminster College spring dean’s list
FULTON, Mo. – Donte Harris, of Blacksburg, was named to the Spring 2025 Dean’s List for exemplary academic performance at Westminster College. Harris is a sophomore at Westminster. The Dean’s List recognizes Westminster students who excelled academically during the past semester. To be included on the Dean’s List, a student must achieve a 3.60 semester grade point average with at least 12 hours completed that semester.
Radford students elected to membership into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
BATON ROUGE, La. – Janet Brame and Leoul Meaza of Radford were recently elected to membership into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. They are among approximately 20,000 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.
Blacksburg student named to Emerson College Dean’s List
BOSTON, Mass. – Diego Centeno of Blacksburg is majoring in Media Arts Production and is a member of the Emerson College Class of 2025. The requirement to make the Dean’s List is a grade point average of 3.7 or higher for that semester.
Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi elects new Raford University members
BATON ROUGE, La. – The following people recently were elected to membership into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Antoinette Donkoh, Teresa Mattson, Gerald Smith, Alayna Thomas, Ava Weseloh, Cullen Danilowicz of Radford.
Local student named to Western Carolina University’s Spring 2025 Chancellor’s List
CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Ashton Dunn, of Riner has been named to the Western Carolina University Spring 2025 Chancellor’s List. Dunn was among more than 2,900 students to achieve this honor. To qualify for the Chancellor’s List, students must earn a GPA of 3.8 or higher. Students named to the Chancellor’s List are also named to the Dean’s List.
Local Virginia Tech students named to Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
Filippa Calo, Carrie Carpenter and Susan Green-Mateu of Radford; Deven Mhadgut and Tianyu Ge, Ciara Brady, Yoonje Lee, Helena Lunsford-Poe, Isabel Valdivia, Kambiz Kia, Md Raian Yousuf, Nathaniel Merrow and Frank Adusei of Blacksburg; Natalie Langowsky of Christiansburg.
Blacksburg student elected to serve on the SGA at The University of Alabama
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama recently swore in the new 2025 Student Government Association members students were elected to either the Executive Council or as senators for their respective schools or colleges, including Theo Villanueva of Blacksburg, elected to the Senate of the Culverhouse College of Business. Villanueva was also named to the Dean’s List for the spring semester.
Bridgewater College recognizes local students
Bridgewater College recognized the following local students for academic excellence and community service: Emelyn Koene of Blacksburg received the Esther Mae Wilson Petcher Memorial Scholarship. Evelyn Rhoads of Hiwassee received the Joseph M. and Jane A. Crockett Award for her excellent academic performance in chemistry courses.
University of Georgia celebrates Class of 2025
ATHENS, Ga. – The University of Georgia celebrated more than 8,000 candidates for graduation in the Class of 2025, including Lillian Crawford and Marlee Van Mullekom of Blacksburg.
Radford student graduates from Bridgewater College
BRIDGEWATER, Va. – Tyashia Gellner of Radford graduated with a bachelor of arts in business administration from Bridgewater College during the May 3, 2025, Commencement exercises. Approximately 302 undergraduate and 25 graduate students from the Class of 2025 received degrees. Dr. David W. Bushman, president of Bridgewater College, conferred the degrees.
Ohio Wesleyan inducts Blacksburg student into Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society
DELAWARE, Ohio – Spencer Amacher of Blacksburg, was inducted into Ohio Wesleyan University’s chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest academic honor society. The historic organization counts 17 U.S. presidents, 42 Supreme Court justices, and more than 150 Nobel laureates among its members. Amacher graduated summa cum laude May 10, 2025 from Ohio Wesleyan University. Amacher majored in Biochemistry (Bachelor of Science) and Pre-Medicine/Pre-Dentistry (Bachelor of Arts).
SNHU announces Spring 2025 Dean’s List
MANCHESTER, N.H. Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) congratulates the following students on being named to the Spring 2025 Dean’s List: Brittany Bane of Radford and Katlin Vaught of Christiansburg. Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.500 to 3.699 for the reporting term are named to the dean’s list.
SNHU Announces Spring 2025 President’s List
MANCHESTER, N.H. – Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) congratulates the following students on being named to the Spring 2025 President’s List: Edward Hertling of Riner; Thomas Floyd and Dakota Osborne of Radford; Amanda Sowder of Christiansburg; Chase Saunders, Allen Stafford and Bryce Wood of Blacksburg. Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President’s List.
Local students graduate from The University of Texas at Austin
AUSTIN, Texas – Megan Thompson, of Christiansburg, graduated with high honors with a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Texas at Austin in spring 2025. Camille Girardeau-M., of Blacksburg, graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Business Administration.
Local student named to Spring 2025 Dean’s List at Cedarville University
CEDARVILLE, Ohio – Avery Carver of Christiansbrg, was named to the Dean’s List at Cedarville University for Spring 2025. This recognition requires the student to obtain a 3.50 GPA or higher for the semester and carry a minimum of 12 credit hours.
Local student named to Western Carolina University’s Spring 2025 Dean’s List
CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Callia Addikis, of Blacksburg has been named to the Western Carolina University Spring 2025 Dean’s List. Addikis was among more than 1,600 students to achieve this honor. To qualify for this honor, students must earn a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Blacksburg student named to Trine University President’s List
ANGOLA, In. – Sarah Weatherspoon of Blacksburg, a Trine University student, was named to the President’s List for the Spring 2025 term. Weatherspoon is majoring in Elementary Education/Special Ed Dual Licensure. To earn President’s List honors, Trine University students must complete a minimum of 12 hours and have a grade point average of 3.750-4.000.
Radford student named to Midway University’s Spring 2025 Dean’s List
MIDWAY, Ky. – Midway University is pleased to announce Audrey Mosby of Radford has been named to its Dean’s List for the 2025 Spring Semester. To be named to the list, a student must be classified full-time and obtain a 3.60 grade point average for the semester. There were 448 students who made the Dean’s List. Midway University is a private, co-educational institution located in the greater Lexington, Kentucky area.
Local Trine University students complete degrees
ANGOLA, Ind. – Trine University students completed degrees at the end of the Spring 2025 term; including the following area students: Sarah Weatherspoon of Blacksburg, majoring in Elementary Education/Special Ed Dual Licensure and
Sukhsimran Banwait of Blacksburg, majoring in Master of Science in Business Analytics.
Radford student named to James Madison University Dean’s List
HARRISONBURG – Radford resident Erin Wilson has been named to the Dean’s List at James Madison University for the spring 2025 semester. Students who earn dean’s list honors must carry at least 12 graded credit hours and earn a GPA of between 3.5 and 3.899. Wilson is majoring in Theatre – BA.
James Madison University announces local spring 2025 graduates
HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison University is pleased to announce the following students who graduated during the May 2025 commencement exercises: Ashlea Yearwood of Radford who graduated with a degree(s) in Counseling and Supervision and Brooke Carroll of Radford who graduated with a degree(s) in Counseling and Supervision.
Christiansburg student named to Ohio University’s Spring 2025 Dean’s List
ATHENS, Ohio – Ohio University Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts student Emily Sirio of Christiansburg has been named to OHIO’s Spring 2025 Dean’s List. The 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 credit hours attempted for letter grades that are used to calculate GPA.
Shenandoah University announces local Dean’s List Students for Spring 2025
WINCHESTER, Va. – Shenandoah University had 1,053 students who earned a spot on the Dean’s List for the Spring 2025 semester including local students Nicklas Bissey of Christiansburg, Madison Bruce of Elliston and Ohanna Napper of Radford. To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must be enrolled full-time in baccalaureate degree programs and earn a semester GPA of 3.50 or higher.
Shenandoah University celebrates local President’s List students for Spring 2025
WINCHESTER, Va. – Shenandoah University had 469 students earn a spot on the President’s List for the Spring 2025 semester including local students Nicklas Bissey of Christiansburg and Madison Bruce of Elliston. To qualify for this prestigious academic recognition, students must be enrolled full-time in baccalaureate degree programs and attain a semester GPA of 3.90 or higher.
Local students named to Bridgewater College’s Spring 2025 Dean’s List
BRIDGEWATER, Va. – Approximately 600 students at Bridgewater College were named to the Spring 2025 Dean’s List. Students on the Dean’s List have attained a 3.4 or better grade point average out of a possible 4.0. Local students include Emelyn Koene, an English and strategic communications major and Ashley Rutherford, a biology major, both from Blacksburg. Students on the Dean’s List have attained a 3.4 or better grade point average out of a possible 4.0.
Blacksburg named to Mississippi State University’s spring 2025 President’s List
MISSISSIPPI STATE, Miss. – Grant Robertson, of Blacksburg was named to the Mississippi State University spring 2025 President’s List. Students on the President’s List achieved a 3.80 or better grade-point average, based on a 4.0 scale, while completing at least 12 semester hours of coursework with no incomplete grades or grades lower than a C.
Radford student named to University of Alabama Spring 2025 Presidents List
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Dawson Martin was named to The University of Alabama Presidents List for Spring Semester 2025. A total of 14,289 students enrolled during Spring Semester 2025 at The University of Alabama were named to the dean’s list with an academic record of 3.5 (or above) or the president’s list with an academic record of 4.0 (all A’s).
Local University of Mississippi graduate achieves Chinese capstone
UNIVERSITY, Miss.- Emily Barron from Blacksburg is headed abroad to hone her language skills after being accepted for the Chinese capstone year program. Barron earned a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese from the University of Mississippi in May and is in the UM Chinese Language Flagship Program. As Chinese capstone participants, four students will spend their final year directly enrolled at a university in Taiwan and complete an internship in a field of their choice while abroad. Four UM Chinese Language Flagship students who applied to the program were accepted this year, said Donald Dyer, associate dean for faculty and academic affairs and Distinguished Professor of Modern Languages.
Local students named to Dean’s List at University of Maryland Global Campus
ADELPHI, Md. – Nearly 18,000 University of Maryland Global Campus students were named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2025 term. 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. The following students from the area were recognized: Angelica Calderin-Ayala, Blacksburg and Walter Wouvala, Radford. University of Maryland Global Campus was founded more than 75 years ago specifically to serve the higher education needs of working adults and military servicemembers.
Radford student graduates from Mississippi State University
MISSISSIPPI STATE, Miss. – Joshua Johnson of Radford is among approximately 3,500 students who graduated from Mississippi State University in spring 2025. Johnson received the Doctor of Philosophy from MSU’s College of Education.
Blacksburg student named to Rhodes College’s Spring 2025 Honor Roll
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Quinn Thompson of Blacksburg was named to Rhodes College’s Spring 2025 Honor Roll. To qualify for the Honor Roll, a student must be enrolled in at least 16 credits of academic work and achieve a semester grade point average of 3.85 or better.
Blacksburg student named to Dean’s List at Saint Michael’s College
COLCHESTER, Vt. – Kallan E. Malabad of Blacksburg was named to the Dean’s List at Saint Michael’s College for the Spring 2025 semester. Students who complete at least 12 credits of classes and achieve a grade point average of at least 3.5 in a particular semester are cited on the Dean’s List for that semester.
Local students graduate from William & Mary
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The following local students recently graduated from the College of William & Mary: Julie Anderson, Bachelor of Science; Annika Griggs, Bachelor of Science; Samuel Grove, Bachelor of Arts; Maegen Herring, Bachelor of Arts; Helena Huber, Bachelor of Science; Rachel McCarley, Bachelor of Science; and Sophie McGehee, Bachelor of Arts, all of Blacksburg; and Michael Wojdak, Bachelor of Science, of Radford. Founded by royal charter in 1693, William & Mary is the second oldest educational institution in the nation.
Local students named to William & Mary Dean’s List
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The following residents were recently named to the Dean’s List at the College of William & Mary for the spring 2025 semester:
From Blacksburg: Laya Garza, Annika Griggs, Sam Grove, Maegen Herring, Helena Huber, Kyle Klemba, Nora Kuhlman, Megan McCarley, Rachel McCarley, Allie McDonald, Luke Mertes, Annelise Rosmaita, Ella Semtner, Samantha Skinner and Harrison Whitfield. From Radford: AJ Bucy, Lee Cox, Hunter French and Michael Wojdak. In order to achieve Dean’s List status, a full-time degree seeking undergraduate student must take at least 12 credit hours and earn a 3.6 Quality Point Average during the semester.
Carson-Newman University recognizes local Dean’s List honorees, graduates
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The following Carson-Newman University student(s) made Dean’s List for the Spring 2025 semester: Katey Mathena of Blacksburg and Addie Saunders of Radford. The University awards Dean’s List honors to students earning a grade point average of 3.5 to 3.9 while taking 12 or more credit hours. Also, Lori Mitchell, of Blacksburg, graduated as an Educational Specialist.
