College Notes


Michael Kaplan of Jericho was among the graduates at the University of Alabama during commencement ceremonies on April 30-May 2.

Kaplan received a Bachelor of Science in Commerce & Business Administration.


Among the students named to the Dean’s List at York College of Pennsylvania for the Spring 2021 semester were the following local residents:

Melanie Barroca of Levittown, a sophomore Nursing major

Joseph Ricciardi of Levittown, a senior Criminology and Criminal Justice major

Hannah Vogt of Levittown, a senior Criminology and Criminal Justice major

Ryan Hargrave of Syosset, a sophomore Graphic Design major

Michael Barsch of Levittown received a bachelor of arts degree from College of the Holy Cross.

Barsch is among 748 bachelor of arts degree candidates Holy Cross celebrated at its 175th Commencement held in person on Friday, May 21 on the College’s Fitton Field.


Jessica Morandi of Levittown received a Master of Business Administration degree in Digital Design and Media Art during commencement ceremonies at Wilkes University during Memorial Day weekend.


Three local residents who attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute recently completed intensive research projects. At WPI, all undergraduates are required to complete a research-driven, professional-level project that applies science and technology to addresses an important societal need or issue.

Lanna Delaney of Bethpage, majoring in Mechanical Engineering, member of the class of 2022, completed the project titled Tolerance Bag with Moscow Project Center.

Erin Gonzalez of Bethpage, majoring in Industrial Engineering, member of the class of 2022, completed the project titled Designing an Application for Pediatric Eye Care in Armenia with Yerevan, Armenia (IQP).

Aidan Melgar, of Syosset, a member of the class of 2022, majoring in Mechanical Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), was a member of a student team that recently completed an intense research project titled Night-Time Light Emission with Berlin, Germany IQP.


Several local students have been named Presidential Scholars for the Spring 2021 semester at Clarkson University. They are:

Paolo Antonio Martino of Jericho, a sophomore majoring in business studies

Tyler Scognamiglio of East Norwich, a senior majoring in civil engineering

Timothy Maxwell Elicks of Syosset, a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering

Presidential Scholars must achieve a minimum 3.80 grade-point average and carry at least 14 credit hours.


Sixty students completed New York Institute of Technology’s rigorous Internship Certificate Program during spring 2021, earning valuable hands-on experience, developing resilience in a real-life work environment, and honing other skills related to their chosen professions. Local students included:

Mengheng Li of Plainview, who internated at ENS Security Inc.

Michael Langjahr of Levittown, who internated at Lizardos Engineering, Associates, P.C.

Mustapha Gharib of Hicksville, who internated at BBS Architects, Landscape Architects and Engineers, PC.


Nearly 2,300 students have been named to the Spring 2021 Dean’s List at Kutztown University. To be eligible for the Dean’s List, an undergraduate student must be registered for at least 12 credits and have a minimum grade point average of 3.60.

Local students include

Zachary Robert Schmidt of Levittown

Annmarie R Zielinski of Levittown


Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania congratulated the nearly than 2,300 students who were named to the Spring 2021 Dean’s List.

A full-time student whose semester GPA is 3.5 or higher in 12 or more semester hours of course work for which a grade or grades are received are named to the Dean’s List.

Laura Lavin from Hicksville, a Early Child(PK-4)/Deaf and Hard of Hearing major, was one of those named to the Dean’s List.


Ohio Wesleyan University has invited Vincent Leonardi of Hicksville, into its chapter of the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society this spring.

Phi Eta Sigma recognizes first-year students who achieved a grade point average of 3.50 or better during their first semester and who also are in the upper 20 percent of their class.


At Bryant University’s 158th Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 22, 840 graduates of the Class of 2021 and their families and guests gathered on campus to celebrate earning a Bryant degree. Jason Katz of Bethpage,  graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in Team and Project Management.


For the 2020-21 academic year, 126 students were inducted into New York Institute of Technology’s chapter of Phi Eta Sigma, the nation’s oldest and largest honor society for first-year college and university students.

The following local students were among the inductees:

Yuna Cha of Jericho

Rishika Thayavally of Hicksville

Rajvee Leuva of Hicksville

Jai Kaur of Levittown

Supreet Sangha of Levittown

Abhay Arora of Hicksville


Venkata Sai Varma Mandapati of Hicksville, majoring in Data Science, is one of 117 students inducted into New York Institute of Technology’s chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) for the 2020-21 academic year. 


Kelli Heffer of Bethpage,  is one of more than 700 Lebanon Valley College students named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2021 semester. Dean’s list students must maintain a GPA of at least 3.4 out of 4.0.

Heffer, a graduate of Plainedge High School, is pursuing a bachelor of science in exercise science at The Valley.


The Georgia Institute of Technology presented degrees to approximately 4,435 undergraduate and graduate students during the Institute’s 260th Commencement exercises May 7-8, 2021, at Bobby Dodd Stadium. The following local students received degrees:

Nicolas Shu of Levittown – Master of Science in Computer Science and Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Charlotte Canavor of Hicksville – Bachelor of Science in History, Technology, and Society with High Honors

Daniel Lee of Old Bethpage – Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with Highest Honors

Joshua Philipose of Jericho – Master of Science in Computer Science 


Kelli Heffer of Bethpage,  competed for the Lebanon Valley College Flying Dutchmen during a shortened exhibition season this spring. Heffer, a graduate of Plainedge High School, is pursuing a bachelor of science in exercise science at The Valley.

Heffer was a member of the volleyball team. In the shortened spring exhibition season, the volleyball team went 3-1.

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