Best & Brightest

Local area students who received recognition from their respective colleges include:

• Michael Doerr, a graduate of Elgin Academy and a senior philosophy major at the College of Wooster, received the Ronald E. Hustwit Prize at Wooster's 38th annual Recognition Banquet on Feb. 22. The prize is awarded annually to a senior philosophy major who, in the judgment of the Department of Philosophy, has shown great love for both the subject and the practice of philosophy.

The College of Wooster is an independent liberal arts college nationally recognized for an innovative curriculum that emphasizes independent learning. Each Wooster senior creates an original research project, written work, performance, or exhibit of artwork, supported one-on-one by a faculty mentor. Founded in 1866, the college has an enrollment of approximately 1,800 students.

• Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind.: A number of students from the Fox Valley area were named to the Valparaiso University dean's list in recognition of the academic accomplishments during the fall semester. To be eligible for the dean's list, students must achieve at least a 3.50 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale and be enrolled full time.

Valparaiso University is a comprehensive university with a Lutheran heritage that enrolls nearly 4,000 students on its campus 55 miles southeast of Chicago.

Algonquin: Jonathan Finger, junior biology major; Zachary Johnson, sophomore mechanical engineering major; and Mary O'Neill, freshman music education major.

Batavia: Kimberly Norberg, sophomore nursing major; and Jonathon Rudy, sophomore church music major.

Crystal Lake: Jessica Doerrfeld, senior nursing major; and Jillian Meyer, junior individualized and public relations major.

Dundee Township: Stephanie Lehman, senior English and new media-communication major.

Elgin: Rebekah Schmerber, junior nursing major; Tracy Korth, senior physical education -- sports management major.

Fox River Grove: Elizabeth Zbacnik, senior meteorology major.

Geneva: James Gregait, senior marketing major; and Kelly Erikson, junior social work and psychology major;

Lake in the Hills: Tonya Romin, senior public relations major.

Maple Park: Andrew Brock, freshman psychology major.

McHenry: Amber Gibbard, senior history and secondary education major; and Sarah Zika, sophomore electrical engineering major.

St. Charles: Maddi Smith, junior French and secondary education major; Rebecca Crocker, senior mechanical engineering and humanities major; Maximilian Payleitner, senior physical education and secondary education major; Claire Van Acker, freshman biology major; and Chase Szorc, freshman theater major.

Wonder Lake: Ashley Gerstad, junior middle level education major.

Woodstock: Megan Kling, junior psychology major.

• North Central College, Naperville: These area students have received recognition on the dean's list for the 2007 fall term at North Central College:

Elgin: Valerie Heckman and Kelly Danz.

• Illinois Wesleyan College Bloomington: Several area students are members of Illinois Wesleyan's Collegiate Choir who made eight appearances on its 2008 tour March 14-20. The choir's itinerary will include performances in Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Illinois.

Area choir members include: Jeremy Pease, a junior majoring in music education and a graduate of Harry D. Jacobs High School; Derek Schmidt, a senior majoring in art and a graduate of Barrington Community High School; David Wendler, a sophomore majoring in educational studies and a graduate of Barrington Community High School; Andrew LoDolce, a sophomore majoring in music and a graduate of St. Charles East High School; Christopher Burrichter, a senior majoring in political science and a graduate of Batavia High School; Christopher Olmstead, a junior majoring in acting and a graduate of Batavia High School.

Students in the choir are selected by audition and maintain a rigorous rehearsal schedule in preparation for their concert tour and other engagements throughout the year.