Students are well into their academic year, and colleges across the country are announcing honors and admissions milestones for high-achieving students. We’re pleased to see that many local students excelling in their academic pursuits!
Gelsey McCue, of Manchester graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from James Madison University during commencement exercises held in December 2025. McCue was among nearly 1,000 students awarded undergraduate and graduate degrees by the university. Congratulations to Gelsey.
In additional news from the university, Manchester resident, Mairin Tully, has been named to the Dean's List at James Madison University for the fall 2025 semester. Students who earn Dean's List honors must carry at least 12 graded credit hours and earn a GPA of between 3.5 and 3.899. Tully is majoring in Writing Rhetoric & Technical Communication - BS. Located in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, James Madison University is a nationally recognized public institution known for its high-impact educational practices, world-class faculty, and commitment to student success. JMU consistently reports the highest post-graduation employment rates among Virginia colleges and offers a wide range of academic programs supported by state-of-the-art facilities and NCAA Division I athletics.
Northern Essex Community College has announced that Natalie Loisou and Julian Ortiz, both of Manchester, were named to the Fall 2025 Dean’s List. To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must earn a minimum GPA of 3.3 while carrying at least six credits during the term and be enrolled in a degree program. Northern Essex Community College, the first Federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution in New England, is a higher education leader in the Merrimack Valley. With campuses in Haverhill and Lawrence and a robust online presence, NECC offers affordable certificate and associate degree programs, bachelor’s transfer pathways, workforce development, and community education. The college is also home to the NECC Police Academy, MassHire Merrimack Valley, and Gallaudet University’s Regional Center for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Grace Swanciger, of Manchester, recently graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Education from the College of Charleston. Swanciger was among more than 185 bachelor's degree and master's degree candidates who participated in the Winter Commencement ceremony on Saturday, December 13, 2025. Congratulations Grace.
In additional news from the school, Henry Otterbein of Manchester has been named to the College of Charleston Fall 2025 Dean’s List. Otterbein is majoring in Finance. To qualify for the Dean’s List (Distinguished), students must earn a GPA of 3.500 or higher while completing a minimum of 12 semester hours. Located in the heart of historic Charleston, South Carolina, the College of Charleston is a nationally recognized public liberal arts and sciences university. Founded in 1770, it ranks among the nation’s top institutions for academic quality, student experience, and affordability. The College’s beautiful historic campus, contemporary facilities, and strong academic programs attract students from across the country and around the world.
Shannon McHale of Manchester has been named to the Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) Fall 2025 President's List. The fall term runs from September through December. To qualify for the President’s List, full-time undergraduate students must earn a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 during the term, while maintaining full-time status by completing at least 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms. Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with a 93-year history of educating traditional-aged students and working adults. It currently serves more than 200,000 learners worldwide and offers approximately 200 undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, both online and at its 300-acre campus in Manchester, New Hampshire. Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the "Most Innovative" regional universities in the country, SNHU is also one of the fastest-growing and is committed to expanding access to high-quality, affordable education.
Theo Masella of Manchester has been named to the Dean’s List for the Fall 2025 semester at Saint Joseph's College of Maine. To make the Dean’s List at the school, students must achieve a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher, successfully complete all registered courses with no grades below a B-, and carry a minimum of 14 credits for that semester. Saint Joseph's College of Maine is a private, Catholic, liberal arts college on the shores of Sebago Lake, known for values-based education sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, offering strong programs in Nursing, Business, Education, and Sciences, with a focus on community, compassion, and service, alongside a beautiful campus and diverse student life.
Northern Essex Community College has announced that Natalie Loisou and Julian Ortiz, both of Manchester, were named to the Fall 2025 Dean’s List in recognition of outstanding academic achievement. To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must earn a grade point average of 3.3 or higher for the term, complete at least six credits, and be matriculated in a degree program. Northern Essex, with campuses in Haverhill and Lawrence, is the first federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution in New England. The college offers affordable certificate and associate degree programs, strong bachelor's degree transfer pathways, and workforce development opportunities. NECC is also home to the NECC Police Academy, MassHire Merrimack Valley, and the Gallaudet University Regional Center for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Katherine Kuhl of Essex and Elorie Willwerth of Manchester have each been named to the Dean’s List at University of Connecticut (UCONN) for the fall 2025 semester. With a main campus is in Storrs, Connecticut, UCONN is Connecticut's flagship public research university, founded in 1881, known for strong academics, vibrant athletics (Huskies!), and multiple campuses across the state focusing on diverse areas like marine science.
Luke Domoracki (2026, Political Science) and Maren Graves (2027, Political Science), both of Manchester, were named to the Fall 2025 Dean’s List at Bucknell University. A student must earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a scale of 4.0 to receive dean's list recognition. Bucknell University is a private, nationally recognized liberal arts university in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, known for its strong programs in Arts & Sciences, Engineering, and Management, offering over 60 majors and 70 minors, with a focus on interdisciplinary learning, hands-on research, and successful career outcomes for graduates in various fields.
This last entry came into the newspaper at the end of last year about excellence by one local resident during the Summer 2025 semester. Owen Cooper, of Manchester, earned Faculty Honors for the Summer 2025 semester at the Georgia Institute of Technology. This distinction is awarded to undergraduate students who achieve a 4.0 grade point average during the term. Georgia Tech is one of the nation’s premier public research universities, known for advancing technology and improving the human condition. The Institute enrolls more than 53,000 undergraduate and graduate students from 54 U.S. states and territories and over 146 countries. As a leading driver of innovation and economic development, Georgia Tech conducts more than $1 billion in research annually across government, industry, and societal sectors. Congratulations Owen.
Congratulations to all. Have news about a student for us? Send them to news@thecricket.com.
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