College notes

National College Announces Dean's List
National College in Charlottesville has released the dean's list for the winter terms. The following local students achieved a minimum grade point average of 3.5 out of a possible 4.0 and thus earned the honor and privilege of being placed on the dean's list: Melinda Gregory from Barboursville and Loretta Long, Amanda Richards and Cara Sparks from Orange.

Local student receives
psychology award
At Mary Baldwin College, located in Staunton, the spring semester is a time to honor students for their academic and civic achievements as well as to elect new leaders for the upcoming school year. Congratulations to Kendall Meredith Henry of Orange who has been awarded the Donald D. Thompson Psychology Award. The award is given to a psychology major who has demonstrated academic excellence in the field of psychology. Henry is the daughter of Ms. Pamela Henry.

OCHS graduate receives award
Amy Rose Sherman, daughter of Rick and Sherry Sherman of Orange, and a 2005 graduate of Orange County High School, was the recipient of the Distinguished Contribution Citizen Leader Award from Longwood University Sunday, April 19. This award is given to a senior who has made a distinctive mark through positive contributions to Longwood and the community throughout his or her tenure at the university.
Sherman will receive her bachelor of arts degree in communications with a focus on organization and strategics with a minor in leadership this May. She is the president of the Lambda Pi Eta National Communication Honor Society, a member of Sigma Alpha Pi National Society of Leadership and Success and a member of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority. She will attend graduate school in the fall to pursue a degree in higher education student affairs.

Area residents honored at fall 2008 Virginia Tech Commencement
The following Virginia Tech students were among those honored at the university's fall commencement ceremony held Dec. 19, 2008, in Cassell Coliseum. Approximately 2,500 bachelor's degree, master's degree, and Ph.D. candidates along with their families and friends attended the on-campus ceremony presided by Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger.
Gary Downey, alumni distinguished professor in the Department of Science and Technology in Society in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences and Marc Edwards, the Charles Lunsford Professor of civil engineering in the College of Engineering and 2007 John D. and Catherine MacArthur Fellow delivered the commencement addresses.
Local students receiving degrees were Jeremy Kniseley, from Unionville; Benjamin Schmidt and Emily Truslow, both from Barboursville; and Erin McGinnis and Benjamin Merrill, both from Orange. Kniseley received a bachelor of arts degree in classical studies from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, Schmidt received a bachelor of science degree in computer science from the College of Engineering, Truslow received a bachelor of science degree cum laude in biological sciences from the College of Science, McGinnis received a bachelor of science degree in animal and poultry sciences from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Merrill received a bachelor of science degree in building construction from the College of Architecture and Urban Studies.

Ridgeway receives Rex Mix Award
Sarah Hampton Ridgeway of Locust Dale was the 2009 recipient of the Rex Mix Award in Communication Studies at Lynchburg College. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi, treasurer of Lambda Pi Eta, and president of the Public Relations Student Society of America. She is a member of the equestrian team and enjoys running, cooking, reading, classic movies and her horse Sunny. Ridgeway is a senior communication studies major. After graduation Sarah would like to work for a public relations firm in Pennsylvania or New Jersey dedicated to improving intercultural and global communication. Ridgeway is the daughter of Michael and Anne Ridgeway.