Julie and E.J. Pfister, Reno, Nev., announce the birth of their son, Jack Edward Pfister, born May 23, 2004, at Washoe Medical Center in Reno. He has a sister, Janie, 4. Grandparents are Jack and Mary Arensberg, Lawrence, and Edward Pfister, Osprey, Fla., and the late Jane Pfister.

Justin Spring and Meagan White, both of Eudora, announce the birth of their son, Clayton Scott, born June 11, 2004, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Maternal grandparents are Keith and Chris White, Eudora. Paternal grandparents are Chuck and Barbara Spring, Eudora. Great-grandparents are Onis and Sharon Bearden, Eudora; Iona Spring, Eudora; and Margaret Shouse, Longton. Great-great-grandmother is Sybil Hart, Rector, Ark.

Rebecca Lysen, daughter of Vicki and Rick Lysen of Lawrence, graduated in May with honors from Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in graphic design with a concentration in painting. During her college career, Rebecca had internships with Meredith Corp. working on publications for Carnival Cruise Line and Jeep Magazine. In addition, she was the art director during her senior year for the fall and spring editions of the award-winning Drake Magazine. Besides graduating magna cum laude, Rebecca received a scholarship by the Art Directors Association of Iowa for excellence in graphic design and also received an Award of Excellence for her poster design at the ADAI Juried Exhibition.

Sarah Andyshak and Logan Smith, both of Lawrence, graduated from St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn., during ceremonies May 30. Andyshak received a Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude in studio art and Russian studies. Smith earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in physics and mathematics and received departmental distinction in physics.

Joseph Van Saun, Lawrence, graduated cum laude on May 24 from Boston College with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance, corporate report and analysis.

Adam Brunfeldt, Lawrence, received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Emory College, Atlanta, on May 10. He is the son of David Reed Brunfeldt and Joan Kraus Brunfeldt, Lawrence.

• Bethany College, Lindsborg, recently announced area students who made the dean’s list during the spring 2004 semester by receiving at least a 3.5 grade-point average. They were Sara Freeman, Lawrence; Sarah Balocca, Oskaloosa; Scott Barkley, Ottawa; and Sarah Littleton, Valley Falls.
• Alyssa King, De Soto; Grace Miller, Lawrence; and Yaun Liu, Lawrence, were recognized for their volunteer efforts by Kohl’s Department Stores. They each received a $50 gift certificate to the store and become eligible for additional recognition at a regional level.
• Abby Pierron, Lawrence, graduated cum laude from Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She received a bachelor’s degree in American studies on May 9. She was inducted into the college’s chapter of Mortar Board national honor society.
• Erin Bennett, Meghan Ralston and Jenna Wilcox, all of Lawrence, made the dean’s honor roll during the spring 2004 semester at Creighton University, Omaha, Neb. They received at least a 3.5 grade-point average.
• Amy Schmitz, Baldwin, and Elizabeth Lee, Lawrence, graduated from Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, Mo., after the spring semester. Schmitz received a Bachelor of Science degree in financial services. Lee received a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism and humanities, and received recognition for graduating with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5-3.74.
• Andy Rhoades, Lawrence, recently was admitted to the National Youth Leadership Forum on Technology. Rhoades will join 2,000 high school students July 26-Aug. 4 in San Jose, Calif., for an exploration of the technology industry.
• Laura Gagnon has been elected to membership in Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing as an undergraduate student. She was elected through the Delta Chapter at the Kansas University School of Nursing. Gagnon received a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from KU and is a graduate of Free State High School.
• Jean Schumaker, Lawrence, was honored June 18 by her alma mater, Lawrence University in Appleton, Wis., with its Lucia R. Briggs Distinguished Achievement Award. The award recognizes alumni for outstanding contributions to and achievements in a career field.

Schumaker, who graduated from Lawrence University in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, co-founded Kansas University’s Center for Research Learning in 1978 and serves at its associate director. She is regarded as one of the nation’s leading researchers in the field of learning disabilities.

She has been principal investigator of research grants and contracts totaling nearly $60 million. Schumaker also founded the International Training Network, whose 1,200 trainers teach educators throughout the world to use the scientifically based instructional practices developed by the CRL. In 1983, she established Edge Enterprises, an educational research and publishing organization that provides specialized instructional materials to educators.

She was inducted into the KU Women’s Hall of Fame in 1993 and was recognized with the Outstanding Achievement Award of the Council for Exceptional Children’s Division for Learning Disabilities in 1996.

She earned a doctorate in development and child psychology from KU in 1976.

• Sara Harper, a Fort Hays State University senior, has accepted a $254 Docking Institute Scholarship for the fall semester. She is involved in Sociology Club and Phi Eta Sigma. She was an All-American Collegiate Scholar and was on the dean’s honor roll. Harper, a 2000 Perry-Lecompton High School graduate, is the daughter of James and Elizabeth Harper, Perry.
• Kansas State University announces area students who earned semester or graduation honors during the spring 2004 semester.

Students who earned semester honors ranked in the top 10 percent of their class within their respective colleges. They were Brian Bondurant, Jami Dempsey, Aaron Lewis, Holly Oakleaf and Johnnie Taul, Baldwin; Crystal Conner and Dustin Kramer, Eudora; Andrea Ahrens, Melissa Bowers, Erica Burkitt, James Dillon, Lydia Hull, Ian McDonald, Jenna McGovern, Christopher Phillips, Franklin Salb Jr., Julie Seidel, Dan Stahl and Alayna Stewart, Lawrence; Molly Hoss, Lecompton; Travis Brownrigg, Jason Eichenberger, Ryan Huschka, Kristin Kay, Adam Kretzer, Teal Ludwick, Adam Smith, Ottawa; Lydia Roberts, Pomona; Jeff Taylor, Wellsville; Jodi Kitterman, McLouth; Josiah Feuerbacher, April Heady-Smith, Geremy Norman, Heather Robbins, Oskaloosa; Jacob Keehn, Perry; Kyle Finley, Winchester; and Jonathan Lamb, Tonganoxie.

Students who earned graduation honors were: Franklin Salb Jr., summa cum laude, Lawrence; Ryan Huschka, summa cum laude, Ottawa; Emily Petersen, cum laude, Ottawa; Jared Wiesner, summa cum laude, Ottawa; Jacob Keehn, summa cum laude, Perry; Jonathan Lamb, summa cum laude, Tonganoxie.

• Emily Petr, Lawrence, was named to the dean’s honor roll for the spring 2004 semester at Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas, by receiving at least a 3.45 grade-point average.
• Michael Cowgill, Lawrence, received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering during a commencement ceremony May 24 at Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa. He graduated with honors.
• Alyssa Johnson, a 2000 graduate of Free State High School, received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in fashion design on May 8 from Otis College of Art & Design in Los Angeles. She has accepted a design position with Isabella Fiore in Los Angeles.
• Laura King, Lawrence, earned a 4.0 grade-point average during the spring 2004 semester at Texas Christian University, Forth Worth, Texas. She was named a TCU Scholar.

Shannon Halpin, Lawrence, made the dean’s list at TCU by earning at least a 3.4 GPA.

• The Old West Lawrence Applause Committee has handed out its awards for neighborhood property improvements. The four recipients will have a plaque placed in their yards from six to eight weeks. The winners for June:
• Jerry and Martha Masinton, 709 Miss., for painting their Italianate house the color of salmon with ivory and dusty green trim.
• The Lawrence Community Nursery School for a new gate and steps.
• Andrea Rutledge and Dennis Haupt, 810 Ala., for a flagstone front walk and surrounding plantings.
• Victor and Kathryn Bailey, 721 Maine, for the limestone wall and plantings on the south side of their house.
• Nashay Winsley, Lawrence, made the dean’s list for the 2004 spring semester at the University of Nebraska at Omaha by receiving at least a 3.5 grade-point average.

Kristin Bock, Lawrence, has been named to the dean’s list for the spring 2004 semester at the University of Evansville, Evansville, Ind., by receiving at least a 3.5 grade-point average.

• Lauren Poull, Lawrence, recently received a Bachelor of Science degree in film and television from Boston University. She graduated magna cum laude.
• Jarrett Johnson, Baldwin, and Devon Bireta, Kelli Criswell and Katherine Nielsen, all of Lawrence, made the president’s list during the spring 2004 semester at Truman State University, Kirksville, Mo., by receiving a 4.0 grade-point average.

Sarah Charnes and Rose Rylko, both of Lawrence, and Jessica Leonard, Overbrook, made the Truman State’s vice president’s list by earning a 3.5-3.99 GPA.

• Silvey Perkins, Lawrence, made the dean’s list for the spring 2004 semester at John Brown University, Siloam Springs, Ark., by receiving at least a 3.4 grade-point average.
• Jonathan Weygint, Lawrence, made the president’s list for the spring 2004 semester at Barton County Community College, by earning a 4.0 grade-point average.

Area students who made Barton’s dean’s list by earning a 3.5-3.99 GPA were Brendon Bump and Laura Nelson, Lawrence; Karmel Powers, Overbrook; and Daniel Wills, Tonganoxie.

• Haley Smith and Caitlin Welch, both of Lawrence, made the dean’s list for the spring 2004 semester at Bethel College, North Newton, by earning at least a 3.7 grade-point average.