Names and notables

The Free Press, Mankato, Minn.
·3 min read

Oct. 15—University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

The following area residents completed degree requirements at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse this summer.

General studies major Tyler Schwanke, of Madelia, earned a bachelor of science; general studies major Erin Gleisner, of New Ulm, earned a BS and graduated with honors; public health and community health education major, Haley Messenger, of New Ulm, earned a BS and graduated with highest honors; and public administration major Derek Roberts, of North Mankato, earned a BS.

Mankato Debate

The Mankato Classic Debate Team competed at the Eastview High School Classic Debate Invitational Sept. 30 in Apple Valley.

Mankato team captain, Lila Schwartz, earned second-place debate honors in the junior varsity division. Schwartz is a West High School sophomore and three-year member of the debate team.

Mankato Classic Debate is open to students in grades 7-12 attending Mankato East and West high schools and Dakota Meadows and Prairie Winds middle schools.

St. Catherine University

Julie Huisken, of Mankato, was recently awarded a Love of Learning Award worth $1,000 from The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.

Huisken is one of 200 recipients to receive the award.

Love of Learning Awards are designed to help fund post-baccalaureate professional development for Phi Kappa Phi members including graduate or professional studies, doctoral dissertations, continuing education, travel related to teaching, and research and career development.

Huisken, a graduate student at St. Catherine University, St. Paul, will use funds from the award to support her Doctor of Nursing Practice Quality Improvement project.

St. Norbert College

Hailey Westrum, of New Richland, graduated May 14 from St. Nobert College in De Pere, Wisconsin.

Westrum, earned a bachelor of business administration degree.

Anna Bauer, of Mankato, and Amelia Carlson, of St. Peter, were named to the 2023 spring semester dean's list at St. Norbert College.

A minimum 3.5 grade-point average is required for academic eligibility.

Olivet Nazarene University

Kathryn Swanson, of North Mankato, was named to the spring semester dean's list at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois.

To qualify for the honor, a student must have been enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student and must have attained a semester grade-point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

Mercy College

Morghan Dauk, of Madison Lake, was named to the president's list for the spring term at Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines, Iowa.

To qualify for this academic recognition, a student must attain a grade-point average of at least 3.75 for a minimum of six semester credit hours or four quarter credit hours in their most recent term.

Morningside University

Collin Adank, of St. Clair, graduated from Morningside University in Sioux City, Iowa, during May 13 commencement ceremonies.

Adank earned a bachelor of science in nursing.

Minnesota Sings

Two local vocalists received honors during the 10th annual Minnesota Sings state finals event Oct. 7-8 at Fairmont Opera House.

Amelia Valdez, of Mankato, received $250 for being selected as the Singers Favorite in the youth category.

Kyle Johnson, from Waseca County, was awarded second-place honors in the adult division for vocalists. He also was named Singers Favorite for the 21+ division.