URI Graduates

At the University of Rhode Island's 126th Commencement on Saturday and Sunday, May 19-20, 2012, almost 3,000 undergraduate and 738 graduate students became the University's newest alumni.

The following local residents were among the students who received their undergraduate or graduate degrees:

• James M. O'Toole, a resident of Tewksbury, MA received a BS degree in Nutrition and Dietetics , magna cum laude.

• Lisa M. Devito, a resident of Tewksbury, MA received a BS degree in Human Development and Family Studies .

Students who received the honor summa cum laude graduated with a cumulative grade point average (GPA ) of at least 3.7; students who received the honor of magna cum laude graduated with a GPA of at least 3.50; and students who received the honor of cum laude graduated with a GPA of at least 3.3.

Providence College Graduates

The following local residents were among over 900 students from Providence College who received undergraduate degrees during the College's Ninety-Fourth Commencement Exercises held on Sunday, May 20, 2012:

Alexandra Plunkett, a resident of Tewksbury, MA, received a bachelor's degree in Psychology.

Caitlin Plunkett, a resident of Tewksbury, MA, received a bachelor's degree in Political Science.

The Commencement address was delivered by Viola Davis, who received an honorary doctorate in fine arts. Davis is a native of Rhode Island and a critically revered actress of film, television and theater. She won the 2012 Screen Actors Guild Award for "Best Actress" and was a nominee in the same category for an Academy Award for her portrayal of 'Aibileen Clark' in the award-winning film, "The Help."

University of Vermont Graduates

Kaitlin Petros of Tewksbury, MA received a Doctor of Medicine at Commencement ceremonies held at the University of Vermont on May 20, 2012.

The university conferred degrees this year on an estimated 3,202 graduates, including 2,552 bachelor's, 429 master's, 94 doctoral, and 114 M.D. degree recipients, in addition to 13 post-baccalaureate certificates. Among degree recipients were students from 39 states and 22 countries.

Assumption College Graduates

The following local students graduated May 12 from Assumption College with a Bachelor of Arts degree:

Sarah Murdock of Tewksbury, MA

Christopher Noyes of Tewksbury, MA

Assumption College's 95th Commencement ceremony was held on the campus's H.L. Rocheleau Field, where 430 Bachelor of Arts degrees; 201 graduate studies degrees (Master of Arts and Master of Business Administration) and certificates; and 22 Continuing and Career Education degrees (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science, and associates) were awarded. Thousands of students, their families and friends, trustees, and other special guests were on hand to experience the inspirational messages delivered by keynote speaker Brian Kelly '83, head football coach of the University of Notre Dame, and Assumption College President Francesco Cesareo.