A.L. native named to dean’s list

The Hawaii Pacific University recently recognized the academic achievements of Nicholas D. Christianson, who was named to the college’s dean’s list.

Christianson, who is an alumni of Albert Lea High School, is in his second semester of his freshman year at the university’s Honolulu and Kaneone campuses, where he is majoring in biochemistry.

HPU recognizes its undergraduate students who have earned a 3.5 grade point average or higher by including their names on the dean’s list.

The award will be printed on Christianson’s official HPU transcript and his academic performance qualifies him to be accepted into an honor society.

According to press release, HPU combines the excitement of an urban downtown Honolulu campus with the serenity of a residential campus at Kaneone, which is set in the green foothills of the windward side of the island.

Christianson is the son of Tim and Kim Christianson of Albert Lea. He was formerly on the ALHS cross country team and has continued running in his free time.

Local student recognized

Emily Ortiz of Albert Lea, a cross country runner, was one of 15 St. Mary’s University fall student-athletes who were named to the Academic All-Conference by the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference for fall 2016.

Student athletes must be a sophomore, junior or senior with a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale to qualify for the MIAC Academic All-Conference recognition. Cross country runners must finish in the top 50 at the conference championship or be in the top 7 of their team at the MIAC championships