Samantha Willier graduates

Samantha L. Willier of Albert Lea was awarded her bachelor of arts degree during 2008 spring commencement exercises May 10 at Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas.

Willier was also named to the dean’s list at Angelo State for the spring semester. To be eligible for the dean’s list, a student must maintain a grade-point average of 3.25 or better.

Evan Anderson awarded scholarship at Bethany

Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato announced that Evan Anderson, son of Mark and Teresa Anderson of Albert Lea, was awarded the Luther Scholarship for the 2008-09 school year.

Anderson is a 2008 graduate of Albert Lea High School.

The scholarship, valued at $20,000 over four years, is based on high school grade-point average and national standardized test scores.

Brandi Modene receives DeKalb Award

Brandi Modene was recently presented Albert Lea High School’s highest agricultural honor, the DeKalb Agricultural Accomplishment Award, sponsored by Monsanto Company.

Modene received the award for excellence in academics, leadership and agricultural work experience. Modene’s accomplishments have included earning the state FFA degree, serving as chapter president and having an outstanding SAE project.

Wayne Busch is Modene’s agricultural education instructor at Albert Lea High School.

As the winner of the 2008 award, Modene’s name will be recorded on a permanent plaque at Albert Lea High School.

Addie Rust awarded scholarship at Bethany

Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato announced that Katie Rust, daughter of John and Adeline Rust of Clarks Grove, was awarded the Luther Scholarship for the 2008-09 school year. Rust is a 2008 graduate of Albert Lea High School.

The scholarship, valued at $20,000 over four years, is based on high school grade-point average and national standardized test scores.

Pamela (Schipull) Lutsey earns doctoral degree

Pamela (Schipull) Lutsey, daughter of Dennis and Ramona Schipull, and granddaughter of Larry and Darlene Rauenhorst, recently graduated with a doctor of philosophy degree from the University of Minnesota. Her degree is in epidemiology, the scientific study of the causes, distribution and control of disease in populations. She specifically studies cardiovascular disease epidemiology.

For her work, Lutsey has received the Breslow Award, given by the University of Minnesota Division of Epidemiology and Community Health. The criteria for this award include academic excellence, service and potential to be a future public health leader.

Carl Gaudian awarded scholarship at Bethany

Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato announced that Carl Gaudian, son of Bryce and Cynthia Gaudian of Hayward, was awarded the Luther Scholarship for the 2008-09 school year. Gaudian is a 2008 graduate of Albert Lea High School.

The scholarship, valued at $20,000 over four years, is based on high school grade-point average and national standardized test scores.

Area students graduate from Northwestern

Two local students were among those awarded bachelor of arts degrees from Northwestern College, Orange City, Iowa, at commencement exercises on May 10.

The graduates included:

Karen Leonard of Albert Lea, who graduated summa cum laude with majors in sociology and Spanish.

Breanna Miller of Twin Lakes, who graduated with majors in elementary education and Spanish.

Karen Leonard earns honor at Northwestern

Karen Leonard of Albert Lea received recognition at the spring honors convocation at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa.

Leonard was awarded the Outstanding Graduating Senior Award in Spanish. She is a 2008 graduate of Northwestern, where she majored in sociology and Spanish.

Local students named to president’s list at Drake

Travis Klatt and Abraham Swee, both of Albert Lea, have been named to the president’s list at Drake University. Klatt and Swee achieved this academic honor by earning straight-A grade-point averages of 4.0 during the spring 2008 semester at Drake.

Drake is a private, independent university in Des Moines, Iowa.