Jason D. Butler , the son of Tom and Robin Butler of Garden City, graduated summa cum laude as a Ben Franklin Scholar with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Theater Studies from the University of Pennsylvania during its commencement ceremonies held on May 17 and May 18, 2009. In a separate ceremony, Jason was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest and most prestigious academic honor society in the United States which is the only honor society in which a faculty committee elects students to membership. The University of Pennsylvania inducted only 98 students from its four undergraduate schools, which consists of approximately 2,500 students, into Phi Beta Kappa this year.

Edward R. Niemira, son of Barbara and Ed Neimira, graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Charles F. Dolan School of Business at Fairfield University on May 17th, 2009. Edward received the Dolan School of Business Academic Achievement Award for the graduating senior with the highest academic standing. He is a member of the Beta Gamma Signa, the international business honor society and the Iota Psi Chapter of the Beta Alpha Pai, the international honor organization for financial information. Edward will begin employment with KPMG, Melville in the early fall.

Andrea Kathryn Mirabile of Garden City 11530 was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree n business administration from Flagler College. Mirabile was one of more than 350 Flagler seniors at the spring commencement ceremony held April 25 th on the college campus in St. Augustine, Fla.

Chad D. DeCarlo , a resident of Garden City, was recently awarded a Bachelor of Science from SUNY Cortland. DeCarlo was among the 1,429 SUNY Cortland students receiving their degrees at Commencement ceremonies on May 16.

The following local residents were among over 990 students from Providence College who received undergraduate degrees during the College's Ninety-first Commencement Exercises held on Sunday, May 17.

Kathleen DiCamillo , a resident of Garden City, received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.

Bradley Horn , a resident of Garden City, received a Bachelor of Science in Finance.

Kieran Murray , a resident of Garden City, received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

Kerry Ryan , a resident of Garden City, received a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies/Secondary Education.

Laura Sullivan , a resident of Garden City, received a Bachelor of Science in Marketing.

Kathleen Way , a resident of Garden City, received a Bachelor of Science in Biology Cum Laude.

Anne-Marie Yanosik , a resident of Garden City, received a Bachelor of Science in Finance.

The following hometown residents were awarded degrees on Sunday, May 17 during the 59th Commencement ceremony at Salve Regina University:

Jerome Benanti of Garden City was awarded a bachelor of science in marketing.

Benanti served as vice president of community service for the American Marketing Association and vice president of communication for Students in Free Enterprise.

Kevin P. McPartland of Stewart Manor was awarded a master of science in administration of justice-homeland security.

Lora Tucci of Garden City graduated from Manhattanville College on May 16. The bachelor's degrees were conferred to the graduates by the College's president, Richard Berman. This year marks the 168th commencement for Manhattanville, and the College awarded 438 bachelor's degrees.

John Iamascia of Garden City received a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts from Lynn University in the commencement ceremony Saturday, May 9. Close to 500 students received their diplomas at two ceremonies at the Boca Raton, Fla. based liberal arts institution.