Hannah Robinson, daughter of Rita Beyer and Steve Robinson, received the dean’s award for academic excellence during the fall 2009 semester at Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y., by achieving a grade-point average of 3.3 or higher.

Robinson, a 2006 graduate of Free State High School, is concentrating in international relations at Colgate. She is currently participating in a study aboard program in Geneva, Switzerland.

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Lawrence students, Madison Phillips and David Debiasse, were named to the dean’s lists for the fall 2009 semester at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg.

Phillips was named to the 3.5 to 3.99 list and Debiasse was named to the 4.0 list.

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Brooke Sutherland was named to the fall 2009 honor roll at Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Va., by earning a grade-point average of at least 3.75.

Sutherland is a sophomore at the university and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Todd L. Sutherland, Lawrence.

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Nicholas Burkart was named a recipient of the $1,000 Lampert Family Scholarship at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Burkart, a graduate of Free State High School, is a junior majoring in PGA golf management at the university.

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Diane Oakes, Lawrence, will be honored Wednesday at a private staff lunch for completing her internship in domestic mediation by the Domestic Court Services of Kansas’ 10th Judicial District, serving Johnson County.

Oakes retired two years ago as CEO for the Girl Scouts of Kaw Valley Council. Since then, she has been a volunteer mediator in Johnson and Douglas County small claims courts. She currently serves on the board of the Lawrence based Mediation Resource Center and is spearheading the development of a domestic mediation program in partnership with Douglas County courts.

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Highland Community College announces its scholastic honor lists for the fall 2009 semester. To be named to the president’s list, students must earn a 4.0 grade-point average. Those named to the dean’s list, earned a grade-point average between 3.5 to 3.99.

Area students named to the president’s list are: Lori Jeter and Jeffrey Smith, Lawrence; Susan Hornberger, Leah Rose and Denise Whitesides, Lecompton; Gelia Gardner and Leah Hoffhines, McLouth; Emma Brink, Matthew Debus and Chantel Morris, Meriden; Drew Dillman and Amy Hickman, Oskaloosa; and David Brown and Lindsey Trent, Perry.

Area students named to the deans’ list are: Danielle Elliott, Basehor; David Brooks, Lawrence; Andrea Phillips, Lecompton; Jared Harvey, Christina Murphy and Megan Strube, Meriden; Megan Forge, Emily Heston and Heidi McCullough, Oskaloosa; Megan Elder and Emily Gillespie, Perry; and Jeffrey Austin, Tiffany Bomberger and Abby Walker, Tecumseh.

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Lynne Sauer, Lawrence, was named to the dean’s list for the fall 2009 semester at Missouri State University, in Springfield, by earning a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher.

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Aaron and Dawna Watkins, Bluefield, W.Va., announce the birth of their son, Xanthus Ryan Watkins, on Jan. 20, 2010, at Princeton Community Hospital in Princeton, W.Va.

His grandparents are Barbara Watkins, Donald Watkins and Mary Head, all of Lawrence, and Bob and Darlene Payne of De Soto, Mo. 

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Ann Heschmeyer, Eudora, and Drew Huff, Lawrence, were named to the dean’s list for the fall 2009 semester at Benedictine College in Atchison by earning a grade-point average between 3.5 and 3.9.

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Madeline Glass, Lawrence, was named to the dean’s list for the fall 2009 semester at Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss., by earning a grade-point average between 3.5 and 3.79.

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Lisa Lyon, Winchester, was named to the dean’s list for the fall 2009 semester at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pa., by earning a grade-point average of 3.6 or higher.

Lyon, a graduate of Jefferson County North High School, is a senior majoring in communication disorders.

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Jordan Gribble, Basehor, and Samantha Wheeler, Lawrence, were named to the fall 2009 provost and vice president list, at Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo., by earning a grade-point average between 3.5 and 3.99.

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Baker University announces area students earning bachelor’s degrees during commencement ceremonies Dec. 12-13 at the Collins Center.

Area graduates are: Adam Barry, business; Derek Doerfler, business; and Zachary Towns, English; Baldwin City; Katie James, mathematics; De Soto; and Gary Van Horn, mathematics, Wellsville.

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Stephanie and Westly Walker, Lawrence, announce the birth of their twin daughters, Adison Deanna Walker and Alexus Joella Walker, on Jan. 28, 2010, at Overland Park Regional Medical Center.

Adison and Alexus have a sister, Brooklyn Walker, 8.

Their maternal grandparents are Bob and Jolene Pearson; paternal grandparents are Jim and Judy Walker, and Marilyn Walker; and great-grandmother is Betty Kennett; all of Lawrence.

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Pittsburg State University announces its December graduates. Commencement ceremonies took place Dec. 18.

Area students earning bachelor’s degrees are: Matthew Farmer, Baldwin City; Steven Gripka and Kyle Speichinger, Basehor; Jordan Hevel, De Soto; Thomas Weathers and Julie White, Eudora; Christopher Barr and Kyle Capps, Lawrence; Brandon Tenpenny, Oskaloosa; Tyler Ahrens, Matthew Bachelor, Joshua Ingold, Michael Skiles, James Smith, Cassandra Sump and Kyle Walker, Ottawa; David Voegeli, Tecumseh; and Jacob Dornbrack and Kyle Norris, Tonganoxie.

Area students earning master’s degrees are: Jennifer Durkin, Eudora; Aretha Gomiller, Lawrence; Kimberly Dechand, Meriden; and Jacob Ellis, Perry.