Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter announces the incoming class for the 2008-09 academic year.

The following local students are among the 620 full-time first-year students who have accepted an offer of admission to begin their collegiate studies this fall, making the estimated enrollment at the college nearly 2,600 students.

Many of the incoming students are recipients of one of the following merit-based scholarships:

President’s scholarship ranging from $10,000 to $13,000 annually, represents the college’s commitment to academic excellence. Through an application and interview process, recipients are chosen based on their previous accomplishments and potential for future success.

Dean’s Scholarship ranging from $1,000 to $9,000 annually, recognizing students who show academic achievement, service, and/or leadership in their high schools, churches, and communities.

Jussi Bjorling Music Scholarship ranging from $1,000 to $4,000 annually in addition to the waiver of applied music fees. Recipients are required to participate in an appropriate ensemble and private lessons each semester in residence.

The new students and their scholarships include:

From Albert Lea — Evan Anderson; Spencer Bonnerup, Dean’s Scholarship; Ryan Hoium; Molly Sutton; Matthew Van Fossen, Presidential, Bjorling; Korbin Wayne, Dean’s Scholarship.

From Alden — Mitchell Kleinschrodt.

From Hartland: Blake Kerkhoff.

Local student presents at research symposium

Melissa Barr of Albert Lea was selected to present a research project at Concordia University, St. Paul’s Sixth Annual Research and Scholarship Symposium held April 25 on the Concordia campus. The Research and Scholarship Symposium recognizes undergraduate and graduate students who have completed research or academically focused creative projects during the academic year.

Barr presented on the research topic “Patient’s Perceptions: Taking a Closer Look through the Eyes of the Patient.” The focus of the research was the possible correlation between level of patient satisfaction and wait time spent in the emergency room. The research identified current wait times in the emergency department at the Albert Lea Medical Center and identified of patients’ level of satisfaction with waiting times and then analyzed the two variables for conclusions.

Barr is a bachelor of arts student majoring in organizational management and communication and received an academic recognition award for taking part in the symposium.

Local students graduate from UW-Eau Claire

Spring commencement exercises at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire were May 17.

Local students who received degrees and their fields of study are: Amanda Ardolf of Albert Lea, psychology, bachelor of arts in arts and sciences; and Cari O’Connell of Albert Lea, elementary education, bachelor of science in education and human sciences.

Riverland inducts honor society students

Riverland Community College welcomed a number of local students into the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, Zeta Eta Chapter, this past academic year.

To be eligible for membership, a first-semester freshman must be a full-time student and have earned a 3.25 or higher grade point average. To remain in good standing students must have at least a 3.0 grade point average.

Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges, symbolizes excellence in higher education and a commitment to students.

The Riverland Community College chapter, Zeta Eta, was founded in 1947.

The following students were inducted.

From Albert Lea: Heidi Czaplewski, Lori Jimenez, Bobbie Lamaack, Danielle McClellan, Amie Petersen, Heidi Roche, Rune Roskov, Grant Vanryswyk, Jason Weitzel, Karen Woodford and Megan Wullschleger.

From Clarks Grove: Michael Kelly and Megan Peterson.

From Glenville: Kyle Belshan and Derek Nelson.

From Hartland: Adam Dahlen.

From Hollandale: Adam Godeke and Kelly King.

Balsley named to dean’s list at William Jewell College

April Balsley of Albert Lea was named to the dean’s list at William Jewell College for the 2008 spring semester. Balsley was a junior during the spring semester at the college in Liberty, Mo.

To qualify, a student must earn a 3.5 grade-point average or better.

Erin Gustitus honored as outstanding senior

The Wartburg College English and Modern Languages Department honored seven graduating seniors as outstanding seniors in April.  Those honored include: Erin Gustitus, daughter of Nick and Marilee Gustitus of Albert Lea.

Gustitus majored in Spanish. The department said in honoring her: “Erin is a leader in and out of the classroom and her exemplary work provides both a standard for others and also encouragement. She a recipient of a Dean’s Honor Cord, which are given to graduates with the top 40 grade point averages. In the past four years Erin has studied abroad on two occasions. In Cuernavaca, Mexico, she took classes in intensive Spanish with Mexican professors. She also did coursework in Hispanic culture, doing on-site studies at the Museo de Antropologa, Teotihuacn and Xochicalco. In her third year at Wartburg, she studied for one semester in Alcala de Henares, Spain. She completed her student-teaching in Denver, Colo. at a high school in which the student body is 90 percent Latino and 95 percent qualify for free or reduced lunch. Erin said that this dynamic challenge is ‘one of the biggest challenges thus far in my life.’ After graduation Erin plans to seek employment in Coral Springs, Fla., as a high school Spanish teacher in a Christian setting.”