Samantha Jean Cheng Chu Samantha Jean Cheng Chu of Garden City, was awarded a bachelor of arts degree at Wellesley College on Friday, June 5. Ms. Chu was one of approximately 600 graduates at Wellesley, the nation's leading college for women.

The speaker for Wellesley College's 131st Commencement was Wellesley alumna Kimberly Dozier, a CBS News correspondent reporting from Baghdad, Iraq, who became the victim of a car bombing on Memorial Day 2006. She has since written a memoir about the attack and has returned to reporting for CBS.

Ms. Chu majored in Political Science and plans to volunteer, travel, and pursue law school after graduation.

While at Wellesley, Ms. Chu's activities included the Varsity Squash Team and the Alpha Phi Sigma Lecture Society. In addition, she completed an independent study and received the 2008Margaret C. Gordon Law and Education Public Service Award for her internship at the Boston College Law School Legal Assistance Bureau.

She graduated from The Kent School in Kent, Connecticut in 2005 and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Chu from Garden City, New York.

William T. Spencer , of Garden City, was among the 494 students who received a degree at St. Lawrence University's Commencement ceremony, held May 17 on campus in Canton, New York: Spencer graduated from Garden City High School in Garden City, and received a degree in Speech & Theatre.

Local student named to Elizabethtown Collage Dean's list. Lisa Sether of Garden City, a senior biology major at Elizabeth College, was named to the Dean's List for the spring 2009 semester.

Students earning a semester grade point average of 3.5 or better in nine or more credit hours of letter-graded coursework are placed on the Dean's List.

Stephen J. Giordano , son of Lorraine and Steve Giordano graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia with a double major in Economics and the Classics. He was President of the Sigma Pi Fraternity where he was awarded the Tash Scholarship for his outstanding achievement within his chapter and his local community.

The following local students were among the 535 students who took part in Franklin & Marshall College's commencement exercises on May 16.

Elizabeth Colahan from Garden City, daughter of Joseph and Elena Colahan, was awarded a bachelor of arts degree in religious studies. She is a graduate of Garden City Senior High School.

Christine DiMattia from Garden City, daughter of Michael and Patricia DiMattia, was awarded a bachelor of arts degree in joint studies. She is a graduate of Garden City Senior High School.

Adam Birkenstock from Garden City, son of Paul and Betty Birkenstock, was awarded a bachelor of arts degree cum laude in German language and Literature. He is a graduate of Garden City Senior High School.

John Emmert from Garden City, son of John and Patricia Emmert, was awarded a bachelor of arts degree in business, organizations & society. He is a graduate of Garden City Senior High School. James Lynch from Garden City, son of James and Kathleen Lynch, was awarded a bachelor of arts degree in business, organization & society. He is a graduate of Chaminade High School.

Joanna Ryder a 2006 Garden City High School alumnus graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from Adelphi University's Honors College during its 113th commencement held on May 21, 2009.

Joanna was the sole recipient of History Departmental Honors, which is awarded to graduating seniors based on scholastic achievement and the promise of greater achievement in their chosen field. She was also recognized for having received The Clara Bartlett Dean Scholarship (History), The Robert Devlin Memorial Scholarship (History) and for being a member of Phi Alpha Theta, the International Honor Society in History.

Joanna will continue her studies at Adelphi as part of their Scholars Teacher Education Program (STEP) a combined Bachelor's and Master's curriculum that integrates field-intensive programs with a strong foundation in the liberal arts and sciences.

Daniel Thaler from Garden City, was recently named to the Dean's List at the College of William and Mary for the spring 2009 semester.

In order to achieve Dean's List status, a full-time degree seeking undergraduate student must take at least 12 credit hours and earn a 3.6 Quality Point Average during the semester.

The College of William and Mary is the second oldest institution of higher learning in the United States.

There were 1,804 Lehigh University students awarded bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees during the 141st Spring Commencement ceremonies at Goodman Stadium in Bethehem, Pa. Jeffrey Sacks, renowned economist, writer and educator, delivered the 2009 commencement address.

Local graduates include:

• Todd Brewer of Garden City who received a Bachelor of Science in accounting and finance.

• Samantha Ciccone of Garden City who received a Bachelor of Science in accounting.