More than 60 local students honored during spring semester

Dean’s List, President’s List, honor graduates among honorees

PUBLISHER’s NOTE: PVN has received press releases from about a dozen colleges and universities stretching from late-May to mid-July. As more and more reports and names rolled in, we decided to hold those announcements and run them as a collective list of all honorees at one time.

~ PVN staff report

LURAY — Page Valley News has compiled a list of students who graduated from Luray High School and Page County High School who have recently been recognized by various colleges and universities they now attend for accomplishments during the Spring 2025 semester.

Eastern Mennonite University

HARRISONBURG, VA — Eastern Mennonite University congratulates Spring 2025 Dean’s List honorees. The Dean’s List, compiled at the end of each semester, includes degree-seeking students who achieve a semester GPA of at least 3.75 with no W (Withdrawal), I (Incomplete), or F (Fail) grades for 12 semester hours of standard grades.

Emily Donovan, a Biology major, of Rileyville, VA
Dee Sampson, a Leadership and Organizational Management major, of Shenandoah, VA
Gabriella Seal, a Nursing major, of Shenandoah, VA

A leader among faith-based, liberal arts universities since 1917, EMU offers rigorous academic study at the undergraduate, graduate, and seminary levels and confers degrees in the liberal arts, applied sciences, and professions. More than 2,000 students are enrolled in programs at three locations (main campus in Harrisonburg, Virginia; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; and Washington, D.C.) and online.

Shenandoah University

WINCHESTER, VA — Shenandoah University announces that 1,369 graduates earned degrees and/or certificates during the 2024-25 academic year. This total includes 239 August 2024 graduates, 366 December 2024 graduates, and 764 May 2025 graduates. Shenandoah’s 2025 University Commencement took place on May 24 in the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics and Events Center. SU’s 2024-25 graduates included:

Gaven Heglar, of Luray, who earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting.
Anna Wadas, of Luray, who earned a Master of Science in Literacy Education.

Shenandoah University was established in 1875, and is headquartered at the top of Virginia, in Winchester, Virginia, with additional educational sites in Clarke and Loudoun counties, and online offerings. Shenandoah is a private, nationally recognized university that blends professional career experiences with wide-ranging education. With approximately 4,400 students in more than 200 areas of study in six different schools, Shenandoah promotes a close-knit community rich in creative energy and intellectual challenge.

Bridgewater College

BRIDGEWATER, VA — Bridgewater College recognized approximately 80 students for academic excellence and community service during the annual College Awards ceremony on Saturday, April 5, 2025, including:

Alexander Heglar of Luray, Va. receives the Alumni Legacy Scholarship from Bridgewater College.
Grace Knighton of Shenandoah, Va. receives the Donald R. Witter Psychology Outstanding Research Award from Bridgewater College.

Bridgewater College recognized 302 undergraduates and 25 master’s students receiving degrees during the College’s 145th Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 3, 2025, including:

Grace Knighton of Shenandoah, Va., graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of science in psychology.
Ka-mya Frye of Luray, Va., graduated with a bachelor of arts in business administration.
Caeley Brashears of Luray, Va., graduated with a bachelor of science in psychology and family and consumer science.
Morgan Lucas of Stanley, Va., graduated with a bachelor of science in health and exercise science.

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, including:

Caeley Brashears , a psychology and family and consumer science major from Luray, Va.
Ka-mya Frye , a business administration major from Luray, Va.
Alexander Heglar , a biochemistry major from Luray, Va.
Elizabeth Ramos , a health and exercise science major from Shenandoah, Va.
Cari Aleshire , a liberal studies major from Stanley, Va.
Morgan Lucas , a health and exercise science major from Stanley, Va.

Coeducational since its founding in 1880, Bridgewater College is a private, four-year liberal arts college located in the Central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Today, Bridgewater College is home to approximately 1,450 students. The College offers more than 60 undergraduate majors and minors and four graduate programs housed within three distinct schools.

Frostburg State University

FROSTBURG, MD — Emilee Weakley, of Luray, VA, has been named to the dean’s list at Frostburg State University for outstanding academic achievement for the spring 2025 semester, with the distinction of a 4.0 grade point average. To be eligible for the dean’s list, a student must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours and earn a cumulative semester grade point average of at least 3.4 on a 4.0 scale.

Weakley also received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Frostburg State University at its 166th commencement ceremony in May, during which 607 undergraduate and graduate degrees were conferred.

Situated in the mountains of Allegany County, Frostburg State University is one of the 12 institutions of the University System of Maryland. FSU is a comprehensive, residential regional university and serves as an educational and cultural center for Western Maryland.

James Madison University

HARRISONBURG, VA — James Madison University announces that the following students made the President’s List for the spring 2025 semester:

Samuel Liscomb of Luray, who majored in Geography – BS.
Gracie Mason of Shenandoah, who majored in Health Sciences – BS.
Ellen Waag of Shenandoah, who majored in Health Sciences – BS.
Montannah Alger of Shenandoah, who majored in Health Sciences – BS.
Sylvia Webb of Luray, who majored in Health Services Admin – BS.
Katherine Brubaker of Luray, who majored in History – BA.
Bailey Ancell of Luray, who majored in Inclusive Early Childhood Education – BS.
Rhonda Williams of Stanley, who majored in Individualized Study – BIS.
Landry Burns of Rileyville, who majored in Integrated Science & Technology – BS.
Rebecca Switzer of Luray, who majored in Psychology – BA.
Aaron Keyser of Luray, who majored in Psychology – BS.
Abigail Thompson of Shenandoah, who majored in Writing Rhet & Tech Comm – BA.

James Madison University announces that the following students made the Dean’s List for the spring 2025 semester:

Emma Sellers of Stanley, who is majoring in Anthropology – BA.
Dalton Bowling of Shenandoah, who is majoring in Computer Science – BS.
Timothy Stout of Stanley, who is majoring in Computer Science – BS.
Savannah Owens of Luray, who is majoring in Elementary Education – BS.
Adryn Martin of Shenandoah, who is majoring in Health Sciences – BS.
Marissa Lutz of Shenandoah, who is majoring in Individualized Study – BS.
Erin Savedge of Luray, who is majoring in Kinesiology – BS.
Katherine Seeders of Luray, who is majoring in Middle Grades Education – BS.
Hunter Osborne of Luray, who is majoring in Psychology – BS.

James Madison University announces the following students who graduated with honors during the May 2025 commencement exercises:

Taylor Jenkins of Shenandoah who graduated Cum Laude in Accounting – BBA.
Taylor Hankins of Luray who graduated Magna Cum Laude in Intelligence Analysis – BS.
Shyleigh Good of Luray who graduated Summa Cum Laude in Chemistry – BS.

James Madison University announces that the following students who graduated during the May 2025 commencement exercises:

Alan Stull of Luray who graduated with a degree(s) in General Studies – BS.
Elsea Weber of Luray who graduated with a degree(s) in Biology – BS.
Emilee Beamish of Luray who graduated with a degree(s) in Psychology – BS.
Olivia Liscomb of Luray who graduated with a degree(s) in Health Sciences – BS.
Nicholas Weaver of Shenandoah who graduated with a degree(s) in Business Administration – MBA.
Colin Reid of Shenandoah who graduated with a degree(s) in Political Science – BA.

Founded in 1908, James Madison University is a public university located in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. JMU is one of the nation’s leading lights in higher education, where students enjoy engaging relationships with world-class faculty who drive education innovation and support advanced research. With state-of-the art amenities and facilities, students have access to NCAA Division 1 athletics. JMU also has the highest post-graduation job levels of all Virginia colleges.

Radford University

RADFORD, VA — Radford University has released its dean’s list for spring 2025. Appearing on the dean’s list is the most prestigious academic recognition students can receive for their performance during a semester. Students will be placed on the dean’s list if they meet four specific criteria — they must have 12 semester hours of coursework graded A-F; earn GPA’s of at least 3.4 for courses not graded on a pass-fail basis; obtain no grade lower than “C”; and receive no incomplete grades. The list included:

Olivia Carrico of Luray, VA
Jessica Groft of Luray, VA

Radford University is a comprehensive public university of 7,812 students that has received national recognition for many of its undergraduate and graduate academic programs. The University offers 75 bachelor’s degree programs in 47 disciplines and six certificates at the undergraduate level; 28 master’s programs in 23 disciplines and five doctoral programs at the graduate level; and 19 post-baccalaureate certificates and one post-master’s certificate. A Division I member of the NCAA and Big South Conference, Radford University competes in 16 men’s and women’s varsity athletics.

Cedarville University

CEDARVILLE, OH — Colin Parsons of Luray, 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.

Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate programs across arts, sciences, and professional fields. With 6,384 students, it ranks among Ohio’s largest private universities and is recognized by the Wall Street Journal as being among the nation’s top three evangelical universities.

Coker University

HARTSVILLE, SC — Arianna Roudabush a Psychology With Honors major from Shenandoah was named to Coker University’s Spring 2025 President’s List.

Founded in 1908, Coker is a bachelor’s and master’s degree-granting institution and competes in 21 NCAA Division II sports. Coker is included among the “Best Colleges” in the South by U.S. News & World Report as well as The Princeton Review, and by Washington Monthly as a “Best Bang for Your Buck” college in the southeast.

Wilkes University

WILKES-BARRE, PA — Patty Secrist of Rileyville, VA, received the MSED in Education from Wilkes University. The University awarded more than 700 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees at its 78th spring commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 17 held in the McHale Athletic Center in the Simms Center.

Wilkes University opens doors for those willing to work hard for what comes next. Through a mix of in-demand undergraduate, master’s and terminal degree programs, WU encourage students to explore whatever they find interesting. With academic expertise, dedicated mentoring and unwavering support, the faculty and staff inspire students to define success on their own terms.

Southern New Hampshire University

MANCHESTER, NH — Jacquelyne Reese of Luray has been named to Southern New Hampshire University’s (SNHU) Spring 2025 President’s List. The spring term runs from January to May. Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.7 and above for the reporting term are named to the President’s List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with a 92-year history of educating traditional-aged students and working adults. Now serving more than 200,000 learners worldwide, SNHU offers approximately 200 undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, available online and on its 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH. Recognized as one of the “Most Innovative” regional universities by U.S. News & World Report and one of the fastest-growing universities in the country, SNHU is committed to expanding access to high quality, affordable pathways that meet the needs of each learner.

•••

RELATED ARTICLES

JMU announces four graduates and 14 local students on President’s List for Fall ’24

16 local students earn Dean’s List at James Madison University for Fall ’24

Kramer earns Dean’s List at Shenandoah University for Fall ’24

Reese named to SNHU President’s List

Six local students named to Bridgewater’s Fall 2024 Dean’s List

Parsons named to fall Dean’s List at Cedarville University