LEWISTON – Five local residents received bachelor’s degrees during Bates College’s 139th commencement exercises May 30 in an indoor ceremony in Merrill Gymnasium. Five honorary degree recipients, including NBC Nightly News anchor and managing news editor Brian Williams, composer Thomas Jefferson “T.J.” Anderson, theoretical biologist Lynn Margulis, entrepreneur and engineer Paul Soros and his wife, Daisy M. Soros, who heads a charitable foundation established by the couple, addressed the 517 graduates.

Christina M. Rivard of Auburn, graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in sociology. A dean’s list student, Rivard was a member of the women’s varsity indoor track and field team. She participated in the Washington Semester Program in winter 2004 and spent fall 2004 studying at the Colby-Bates-Bowdoin center in Cape Town, South Africa. A 2001 graduate of Edward Little High School, she is the daughter of Elaine and Gilbert Rivard, 46 Court St.

Vanessa F. Williamson of Auburn, graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in psychology. Elected to the College Key by Bates alumni on the basis of academic standing, character, service, leadership and future promise, Williamson was a member of the women’s varsity swimming and diving team. Her athletic accomplishments include winning a combined eight All-America awards in the 100- and 200-yard butterflies and the 200 individual medley. She holds four individual Bates records (50, 100 and 200 flies and the 200 IM) and has been a part of four record-setting relay teams. Williamson set the New England Small College Athletic Conference record in the 200 fly in 2003. A 2001 graduate of Edward Little High School, she is the daughter of Deborah and Richard Williamson, 558 N. Auburn Road.

Daniel S. Frost of Farmington, graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science degree in geology. He was nominated to the Southern Maine chapter of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society, in recognition of his independent research accomplishments, and to Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious academic honor society. Frost presented his geology research at the 2003 and 2005 Bates College Mount David summits, the annual campus-wide celebrations of student academic achievement. His 2005 presentation focused on Basin Pond in Fayette, Maine, from which Frost removed sediment to reconstruct the paleoenvironment back to late glacial times. A 2001 graduate of Mount Blue High School, Frost is the son of Brenda Frost, 11151 Fairbanks Road.

Robert O. Dion of Lewiston, graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in psychology. A member of the varsity football and men’s outdoor track teams, Dion presented academic research at the 2005 Mount David Summit. His research gathered data to advance the understanding of differences in perceived body image between Caucasian and African American men. A 2001 graduate of Lewiston High School, Dion is the son of Diane Dion, 17 Stevens Road St., and Robert Dion.

Kathryn M. King of Turner, graduated with a bachelor of science degree in biology. A dean’s list student, King was elected to the College Key and Sigma Xi. She received the 2005 Rodney F. Johonnot Graduate Fellowship, awarded to the senior selected by the faculty as most deserving of aid to further his or her studies in professional or postgraduate work. A member of the women’s varsity basketball and outdoor track teams in 2001-02, King participated in a 2002 summer internship with the Refugee Service Program in Lewiston and in the Bates-sponsored 2003 Career Development Internship Program. A 2002 Leadership Academy volunteer, King served as a Bates junior adviser and as a resident coordinator in her senior year, during which she also worked for the college’s Emergency Medical Service. She presented academic research at the 2004 Mount David Summit on the implementation and evaluation of the group health-visit model. A 2001 graduate of Leavitt Area High School, she is the daughter of Kathryn and Neal King, 129 Hebron Road.

Champlain

BURLINGTON, Vt. – The following students from your area have earned a degree from Champlain College, a career oriented, four-year college in Burlington, Vermont:

George F. Bourgeois of Auburn has earned a bachelor’s degree in multimedia and graphic design. Bourgeois is the son of George and Jill Bourgeois and a graduate of Edward Little High School.

Adam M. Fongemie of Farmingdale, has earned a bachelor’s degree in multimedia and graphic design. Fongemie is the son of Janet Fongemie and a graduate of Edward Little High School.

C. Haggan of Rangeley, has earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Haggan is the daughter of Thomas and Bonita Haggan and a graduate of Rangeley Lakes Regional School.

Molly F. McGill of Greene, has earned a bachelor’s degree in professional writing. McGill is the daughter of John McGill of North Monmouth, and Kathleen Minnehan of Greene, and a graduate of Edward Little High School.

Mariel K. Neville of South Burlington, Vt. has earned a bachelor’s degree in social work. Neville is the daughter of Joseph Neville of Poland and Willow Whitehouse of Freedom, N.H., and a graduate of Poland Regional High School.

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