Best & Brightest

• Kathleen Elisabeth Spencer of Arlington Heights, a freshman majoring in environmental studies in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, was named to the Deans' List for having a 4.0 average for the fall 2007-08 semester.

• Charles O'Hagan of Arlington Heights was awarded a bachelor's degree in applied biology in December 2007 from Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Mich. Hagan also received academic honors for having at least a 3.5 GPA.

• Braian P. Kurcz, Jacquelyn R. Lange and Melissa S. Pollman, all of Arlington Heights, and Jessica L. Elbe, Rolling Meadows, were named to the Fall 2007 Dean's List at Northern Michigan University, Marquette, for having a 3.25 to 3.99 grade point average.

• Britany Dahl, daughter of Robert and Christine Dahl of Rolling Meadows, was named to the Fall 2007 Dean's List at Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, Ill., for having a GAP of 3.5 or higher. Dahl is a senior major in Spanish education and a 2004 graduate of Fremd High School.

• Jill E. Hutchison, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Hutchison of Arlington Heights, was named to the fall/winter 2007 Dean's List at Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Mich., for having at least a 3.5 GPA for the semester. She is a sophomore is majoring in special education-cognitive impairment who graduated from Hersey High School.

• Lindsay A. Hutchison, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Hutchison of Arlington Heights, was named to the fall/winter 2007 Dean's List at Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Mich., for having at least a 3.5 GPA for the semester. Hutchison is a senior majoring in speech pathology and audiology, and a graduate of Hersey High School.

• Andrew F. Barnum, son of Frederick and Katherine Barnum of Arlington Heights, and a sophomore at Northwood University, Midland, Mich., was named to the Fall 2007 Dean's List for earning at least a 3.25 GPA.

• Mary Chisholm of Arlington Heights received a doctorate of audiology in December 2007 from Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant.

• Takashi Wakano of Arlington Heights received a master of arts degree in December 2007 from Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant.

• Trish Gorecki, daughter of Steve and Sue Gorecki of Arlington Heights, was inducted into the Alpha Delta Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta in February. She is a junior majoring in writing intensive English and history at Marquette University, Milwaukee and a 2005 graduate of Rolling Meadows High School.

• Jillian Kuefner, Brian Madden and Amy Piergalski, all of Arlington Heights, were named to the fall 2007-2008 Dean's List at the University of Dayton in Ohio for achieving at least a 3.5 GPA.