College Students From Glen Ellyn Make Their Hometown Proud

Glen Ellyn Patch has received word from colleges all over the country about the honors and accomplishments of our local students. If you have good news of a Glen Ellyn college student, send it to karenc@patch.com, and we'll make sure to share the news.

University of Dayton student Andrew O'Connell took a stand to protect the environment and reduce carbon emissions by pledging to leave his car at home for the first two years on campus. In exchange, University of Dayton gave him a brand new Linus bicycle. Bike sharing has been a trend at colleges across the country, and University of Dayton is among the first to give away bicycles to first-year students who sign the pledge. Nearly 300 students signed the pledge, and 100 were chosen at random to receive the bikes. The city of Dayton also recently was designated a Bicycle Friendly City by the American League of Bicyclists, and it's the central hub to one of the largest bicycling networks in the nation. The region boasts more than 330 miles of multi-use, beginner-friendly and easily accessible connected bikeways. A new bike path running through campus opened in July.

The following students were named to the dean's list for the spring semester at Purdue University, West Lagayette, Ind.: Gayle Bellino, Deborah Dudek, Kaitlin Emerson, Nicole Jourdan, Frank Modruson, Elizabeth Ryne, Caroline Schier, Rachel Viola and Carol Marie Whitson.

A number of students also earned bachelor's degrees from Purdue. They are: Nicole Jourdan, health and human science; Alexandra Kondogianis, health and human science; Ted Mcardle, health and human science; Derek Parker, technology; Jamie Scott, liberal arts; and Rachel Viola, nursing.

Several Glen Ellyn students have started their freshman year at Creighton University, Omaha, Neb. Kathleen Caffrey, a graduate of Glenbard West High School, Sarah Huddleston, a graduate of St. Francis Preparatory High School, and Margaret Steenken, a graduate of Benet Academy, all entered Creighton's College of Arts and Sciences. Abigail Zurawski, a graduate of St. Francis Preparatory High School, entered the School of Nursing.

Julia Crisman, daughter of Laura and Todd Crisman, began her first year at Saint Michael's College, Burlington, Vt. Crisman graduated from Glenbard West High School.

David Dau has earned a bachelor's degree in middle and secondary education from Marquette University, Milwaukee.

Kimberly Deprez helped University of Evansville (Ind.) win its second straight All-Academic Award in the Missouri Valley Conference. In a total team effort composed of the 13 sports in the MVC, University of Evansville finished the 2012-13 academic year with a cumulative GPA of 3.283. The award is given to the institution with the highest grade point average among its student-athletes that participate in the Valley. Evansville had 130 student-athletes make the dean's list in at least one semester last year while 54 did so in both.

Hannah Taylor, a freshman accounting major, made the 2013 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater golf team. The Warhawks finish their 2013 season in the WIAC championship tournament Oct. 4-6 at Lake Arrowhead Golf Course in Nekoosa. When the players are not on the field, they are giving back to the community. The team participates in Reading with the Warhawks, a program where athletes read to elementary school children. Several players also are involved in the UW-Whitewater chapter of Circle K, a collegiate service organization.