Wilkes
Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, awarded 301 doctoral, master's and bachelor's de-grees to students graduating after the completion of the fall semester. The following local residents were among those who earned degrees:
Jamie Barlow, Shenandoah, bachelor's degree in elementary education; Thomas Matern, Ashland, bachelor's degree in English; Karen Bensinger, Tamaqua, doctor of nursing practice in nursing; Allyson Bennett, Frackville, master's degree in education; Allison Kline, Barnesville, master's degree in education; Sandra Kreiser, Lykens, master's degree in education; Kelly Malloy, Schuylkill Haven, master's degree in education; Amy Marrongelle, Orwigsburg, master's degree in education; Jennifer Minnich, Williamstown, master's degree in education; Lisa Shustack, Barnesville, master's degree in education.
DeSales
DeSales University held its mid-year commencement Jan. 18 in Billera Hall on the Center Valley campus.
During the ceremony, the Rev. Bernard F. O'Connor, OSFS, president of DeSales University, conferred degrees upon 148 graduating students, including 97 bachelor's and 51 master's.
The following area residents earned degrees during the commencement:
Stacey Batz, Tamaqua, bachelor's degree in nursing, magna cum laude; Travis Leonarczyk, Shenandoah, bachelor's degree in nursing; Alicia Mercuri, Pottsville, master's degree in physician assistant studies; Jamie Nace, Andreas, master's degree in project management; Alessandra Pagnotta, Pottsville, bachelor's degree in pharmaceutical marketing.