Alvin M. Keeling 
AURORA, IL – We keep track of all the major higher education achievements of students in the region. Send your submissions to emily.rosca@patch.com.
Aurora Students Travel Abroad with Augustana Choir
The Augustana Choir, under the direction of Dr. Jon Hurty, will perform in Germany and the Czech Republic on a tour from May 24 to June 7.
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Participating Aurora natives include:
- Bailey King
- Emma Pilmer
- Cassidy Wiltjer
The choir has six musical engagements during the tour, most in historic churches such as St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, Germany, which is associated with several well-known composers such as Wagner, Mendelssohn and Bach, who is buried.
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The group will also visit Sanssouci Castle in Potsdam, the Battle of the Nations Monument in Leipzig, Terezin Concentration Camp and Memorial, Prague Castle and Karlstejn Castle.
— Merit Page News
Aurora student named to Bob Jones University Dean’s List
In recognition of their academic performance, the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs at Cumberlands University has announced the students named to the Dean’s List for the 2022 Spring Semester.
To be eligible for the Dean’s List, students must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours (a full course load), maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.50, and be in good academic standing.
Congratulation to Jacob Kmiecik from Aurora, IL (60504), on the Dean’s List in Cumberlands for Spring 2022!
— Merit Page News
Aurora students graduate from Campbellsville University
Dr. Joseph Hopkins, the 12th president of Campbellsville University, presided over its first commencement by asking the 1,593 graduating students “Who’s in your way?” May 6 and 7 at the Powell Athletic Center.
Local students graduating from Campbellsville University are:
- Varun Kumar Kontamukkala from Aurora, IL
- Sabhari Rajan Periyaandhavar from Aurora, IL
Hopkins presented an address recounting his family’s experience fulfilling one of his bucket list items – traveling to the Sahara Desert where he and his wife, Suzanne, and sons, Joseph and Vance, camped and enjoyed “which” was on their 115- degree heated trip.
He told the graduates they were about to embark on their own journey.
“Most often the questions asked at this stage are where, what, why and above all, how?” he said, as he challenged them to add the who to their list of questions.
— Merit Page News
Audrey Hare Recognized at Baldwin Wallace University’s 128th White Rose Ceremony
Aurora’s Audrey Hare (60503) has been nominated by faculty and staff to attend Baldwin Wallace University’s 128th Annual White Rose Ceremony. Hare, a graduate of Benet Academy, was invited to participate in recognition of her special contribution to life at BW.
The White Rose Ceremony is held each May during Launch Weekend in memory of Philura Gould Baldwin, BW’s first librarian and granddaughter of BW founder John Baldwin. At the request of the Baldwin family, a speech is given and some graduates wear white roses which serve as a memorial to Philura. There is no set of standards or criteria to meet, but each woman must have, in her own way, distinguished herself by making a difference in the BW community.
— Merit Page News
Aurora students are on the Dean’s List at Southern New Hampshire University
It is with great pleasure that Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) congratulates the following students on being named to the 2022 Winter Dean’s List.
Full-time undergraduate students who have achieved a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3,500 to 3,699 are named to the Dean’s List. Full-time status is achieved by obtaining 12 credits; undergraduate students must earn 12 credits in the fall or spring semester, and online students must earn 12 credits over two consecutive terms (EW1 and EW2, EW3 and EW4, or EW5 and EW6).
- Caleb Reinert Aurora (60506)
- Otto Hernández Aurora (60506)
— Merit Page News
Native graduates of Aurora University of Mississippi
Jordan Majerskyof Aurora, IL, is among more than 3,300 students who graduated from the University of Mississippi in May 2022.
Majersky, who majored in journalism, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the School of Journalism and New Media.
“Our May 2022 class of graduates are distinguished by incredible achievement, character and resilience,” said Chancellor Glenn Boyce. “They’ve accomplished so much during their years at Ole Miss, and we can’t wait to see all the ways they’ll pursue their passions and reach their full potential on their path to a bright future.”
— Merit Page News
Aurora student named to University of Evansville dean’s list
Makenna DeCapuaof Aurora, was named to the University of Evansville Dean’s List for Outstanding Academic Achievement in the Spring 2022 semester. DeCapua is studying Exercise Science at the University of Evansville (EU ), a private university located in Evansville, Indiana.
Over 500 EU students have been named to the Dean’s List. To earn this honor, a student must have completed a full academic load of 12 hours or more and have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
— Merit Page News
Aurora students make Belmont University dean’s list
The following students have earned Belmont University’s Dean’s List for the 2022 Spring Semester. Eligibility is based on a minimum course load of 12 hours (excluding auditing and pass/fail courses this semester ) and a grade point average of 3.5 with no grade below C (including auditing, pass/fail, and zero-credit courses).
- Kailee Bass Aurora (60502)
- Zachary Roberts Aurora (60506)
- Austin Rose Aurora (60504)
- Elizabeth Godo Aurora (60504)
— Merit Page News
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