Delaware
Kelsey Marie Schwenk graduated during spring commencement from the University of Delaware with a bachelor's degree in wildlife conservation and a bachelor's degree in agriculture and natural resources. She received an honors degree with distinction, completed her honors thesis, "The Effect of Habitat Fragmentation on Mesocarnivore Relative Abundance in an Urban Landscape" and was presented with the Dean's Award for Undergraduate Excellence.
She was an ag ambassador and a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society and Sigma Alpha Agricultural Sorority. A science and engineering scholar, she served on the Ag Day planning committee, worked on the university dairy farm and participated in study abroad programs to Tanzania, Cambodia and Vietnam.
She is an environmental intern and she has accepted a graduate fellowship at the University of Connecticut, where she will pursue her master's degree in wildlife management.
Kelsey is a daughter of Dale and Kaye Schwenk, Schuylkill Haven, and a graduate of Schuylkill Haven Area High School.
LaSalle
Wesley Robert Schwenk graduated during spring commencement from LaSalle University, Philadelphia, with a master's degree in history with a concentration in public history.
He completed his graduate internship at the Independence Seaport Museum at Penn's Landing, Philadelphia. He previously earned a bachelor's degree in history from Penn State University, University Park campus.
He is employed by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, as a park guide and interpreter at Valley Forge National Historical Park, Valley Forge.
Wesley is a son of Dale and Kaye Schwenk, Schuylkill Haven, and a graduate of Schuylkill Haven Area High School.
Kent State
Christopher Harry Schank graduated with distinction May 16 from the Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine, Independence, Ohio, receiving his doctor of podiatric medicine degree.
At commencement, he was presented with the Dr. William F. Munsey Leadership Award and the Timothy Holbrook Memorial Award for Excellence in Orthopedics.
While at the university, Christopher was president of his class, vice president of Pi Delta Podiatric Honor Society and made the dean's list every semester. He is an active member of the American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons, American Society of Podiatric Surgery, American College of Foot & Ankle Orthopedics and Medicine and the American Podiatric Medical Association.
Christopher begins a podiatric medicine and surgery residency with reconstructive ankle certifications this month at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital, Michigan.
He is a 2010 graduate with honors from Penn State University College of Medicine, earning his master's degree in anatomy. In 2008, Christopher graduated with honors from Lebanon Valley College, Annville, earning a bachelor's degree in biology, and is a 2004 graduate of Minersville Area High School.
He is a son of Harry and Carol Schank, Buck Run.
Ross
Marissa Leigh Rejent graduated from Ross University School of Medicine with high honors and the degree of doctor of medicine. Her specialty is obstetrics and gynecology.
She is employed by Sinai Hospital, Johns Hopkins affiliate, Baltimore, Md., to complete her residency training.
Dr. Rejent is a 2005 graduate of North Schuylkill High School and a 2009 graduate of Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, with a bachelor's degree in biology/pre-med.
She is a daughter of Gene and Sheryl Rejent, Ringtown.
IUP
Brittany Lee Gilroy, Shenandoah, graduated summa cum laude May 10 from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor's degree in criminology and a minor in psychology. She received the Outstanding Achievement Award for achieving a 4.0 GPA and was a Provost Scholar Award recipient.
A 2010 graduate of Shenandoah Valley High School, she is a daughter of Michael and Ellen Gilroy, Shenandoah.
Bowling Green
Angelica Marie Dunsavage graduated from Bowling Green State University, Ohio, receiving a master's degree in choral conducting.
While a student at BGSU, Angelica was a graduate teaching assistant instructing voice to undergraduate instrumental majors, along with being primary graduate assistant for Collegiate Chorale and Women's Chorus.
Angelica was a primary conductor to The Fermatas, a select ladies a cappella ensemble, a member of BGSU University Choral Society and Early Music Ensemble. She was the recipient of a scholarship from St. Thomas More University Parish to assist in choir recruitment and retention along with handling rehearsals and some services.
In January, Angelica was hired as director of the Perrysburg Symphony Chorale for its 20th anniversary season, replacing the previous director of 13 years, along with taking over as interim director of Trinity Episcopal Church Choir, Toledo, Ohio.
While attending BGSU, she served as historian of Collegiate Choral, section leader and soloist. She arranged Advent lessons and carols for First Presbyterian Church, Bowling Green, participated in numerous master's classes at Westminster Choir College, Princeton, N.J., and the Berkshire Choral Festival as an honors singer and was a scholarship winner at the 2014 Ohio Choral Director Association convention. She was also a teaching assistant and vocal coach at Bowling Green High School for the 2013-14 school year.
After a few years of teaching and conducting, Angelica plans to pursue her doctorate degree.
She is a daughter of Ray and Joestelle Dunsavage, Ringtown, and a granddaughter of Joe and Estelle Deluca, Shenandoah, and Helen Dunsavage, Barnesville, and the late Ray Dunsavage.
Cooley Law
Gregory Zitka, Schuylkill Haven, graduated cum laude May 18 from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Lansing Charter Township.
He is also a graduate of Millersville University and Blue Mountain High School.
He is a son of Walter and Kathleen Zitka, and a grandson of Anthony and Kathryn Tomalonis, New Philadelphia.
Wisconsin
Drs. Joshua Andrew Slane and Laura Ann Slane received doctoral degrees in material sciences and biomedical engineering May 15 from the University of Wisconsin.
Both Joshua and Laura are employed at the university and intend to accept research offers from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Catholic University), Belgium.
Joshua is a son of Kerry and Pamela Slane, Chesapeake, Va., and a grandson of Vera Slane, Buck Run, and Rita Ruscavage, Minersville, and the late Francis Slane and the late Charles Slane.
Laura is a daughter of Jon and Nancy Chernak, Rochester, N.Y.
Bloomsburg
Nicole Henning, Ashland, graduated with a master's degree in secondary and elementary school counseling from Bloomsburg University. She was on the dean's list with a 4.0 grade-point average throughout her graduate school curriculum.
She passed the national certification exam to become a nationally certified counselor and is working toward licensure. She was inducted into the International Honor Society for education majors, Kappa Delta Pi. She is pursuing a career in mental health or school counseling.
Nicole is a 2012 graduate of Bloomsburg with a bachelor's degree in interpersonal communication studies and a double minor in psychology and sociology. She remained consistent on the dean's list all four years of her undergraduate degree.
Nicole is a daughter of Ron and MaryAnn Henning, Ashland, and a granddaughter of Ron and Mary Henning, Girardville, and Jerry and Janette Freiler, Ashland.
Kutztown
Megan V. Evans graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in education with a focus in early childhood education from Kutztown University on May 10. She also was the commencement speaker at her college graduation.
During her time at Kutztown, she completed her bachelor's degree in three years and attained a 4.0 GPA throughout college. She was highly involved with numerous leadership and professional development activities.
Megan held the chapter presidency for the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and was the Eastern region vice president of the Student Pennsylvania State Education Association.
She is the recipient of KU'S College of Education Dean's Award, Helen J. Marcks Honors Scholarship, Elaine Smith Scholarship, Floyd W. Boyer Graduation Award, Tara Marie Koshinski Memorial Scholarship and John and Madalynne Evans Scholarship.
She has accepted a kindergarten teaching position at North Schuylkill Elementary School.
A 2011 graduate of North Schuylkill High School, she is a daughter of George and Diana Evans, Frackville.
Villanova
Emily R. Boldt, New Philadelphia, graduated with a master's degree in accounting and consulting May 17 from Villanova University. Her grade-point average is 3.59.
She received her bachelor's degree in economics from Temple University, Philadelphia.
Emily has accepted a position at ParenteBeard, Wyomissing.
She is the wife of Timothy Boldt and a daughter of Jim Brennan, Pottsville.
James O'Connor, Frackville, graduated May 16 from Villanova University with a bachelor's degree in political science. He graduated on the dean's list with a GPA of 3.56.
James will be attending law school in the fall.
He is a son of Michael and Patricia O'Connor, Frackville, and a grandson of John O'Connor, Frackville, and Jean O'Kane, Philadelphia.
Penn State
Bree Ann Frederick, Lake Wynonah, graduated from Penn State University, University Park campus, with a bachelor's degree in nursing. She maintained dean's list status throughout her tenure, was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing for her academic excellence and was a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
Bree Ann has accepted a clinical nursing position in the surgical unit of West Penn Hospital, Pittsburgh, part of the Allegheny Health network and recipient of the prestigious Magnet recognition.
Dickinson
Joshua A. Dziczek, son of Allen Dziczek, Ashland, and Nanette Lauta, Frackville, graduated from Dickinson College, Carlisle, on May 18 with a bachelor's degree in political science.
Joshua is a graduate of North Schuylkill High School.
Widener
Two local residents earned doctoral degrees from Widener University, Chester, during the annual commencement ceremonies May 16 and 17.
Jacob Daniels, Lykens, earned a doctor of physical therapy degree, and Judith Rile, Pottsville, earned a doctor of education degree in higher education.
Wilkes
Evan Mark Kriner, Bethlehem, graduated May 17 from Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, with a bachelor's degree in integrative media. He is doing an internship at B-Braun, Bethlehem.
He is a son of Dr. Ronald Kriner and Maria Kriner, Bethlehem, formerly of Pottsville, and a grandson of John and Patricia Kutch, and Marlene Kriner, all of Pottsville.
Lycoming
The following students graduated May 4 from Lycoming College, Williamsport, with bachelor's degrees: Sarah Fetherolf, Hamburg, biology; Danielle Neumeister, Hegins, biology; and Emily Vebrosky, Frackville, chemistry.