Best & Brightest

• Margaret True Darr of Rolling Meadows, a student majoring in business administration at Truman State University, Kirksville, Mo., was named to the Fall 2007 President's List for having a perfect 4.0 grade point average.

• Benjamin Edward Monson of Arlington Heights, a student majoring in justice systems Truman State University, Kirksville, Mo., was named to the Fall 2007 Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs' List. To qualify, students must attain a semester 3.50 to 3.99 grade point average.

• Laura Elizabeth Pancratz of Arlington Heights, a student major in health science at Truman State University, Kirksville, Mo., was named to the Fall 2007 Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs' List. To qualify, students must attain a semester 3.50 to 3.99 grade point average.

• Melissa Melby, daughter of Carol and Christopher Melby of Rolling Meadows, received a doctor of philosophy degree from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences of Emory University in Atlanta.

• Mary Kate Daday, daughter of Stephen and Eileen Daday of Arlington Heights, received academic honors and was named to the fall semester Dean's List at St. Mary's College, Notre Dame, Ind. A graduate of The Willows Academy in Des Plaines, Daday is a junior majoring in psychology with a minor in communicative disorders.

• Emilie Hirt of Arlington Heights was named to the fall 2007 Dean's List at Gannon University, Erie, Pa., for having a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

• Michael Joseph Brandenberg, from Arlington Heights, a student at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., was named to the Deans List for the fall 2007 semester. To qualify, students must earn a 3.5 to 3.69 grade-point average.

• Mitch Kinastowski and Alec Kinastowski, brothers from Arlington Heights, have earned the distinction of being placed on the Dean's List for the 2007 fall quarter at DePaul University. This honor is awarded to students who achieve a grade point average of 3.5 or above.

• Melissa Nicole Mack, daughter of Glen and Valerie Mack of Arlington Heights was named to the fall 2007 semester dean's list at Illinois State University, Normal, placing among the top 10 percent of the students majoring in the College of Education. Mack is a senior majoring in elementary education and currently student teaching in Elgin U-46 School District. She is a 2004 Buffalo Grove High School graduate.

• Katherine Kragh, daughter of William and Anne Kragh of Arlington Heights, was named to the Dean's List for the 2007 fall quarter at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, Ind., for earning at least a 3.3 grade point average. Kragh is a junior majoring in engineering physics.

• Katelyn Schmidt, daughter of Katherine and Karl Schmidt of Arlington Heights, was named to the Dean's List for the 2007 fall quarter at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, Ind., for earning at least a 3.3 grade point average. Schmidt is a junior majoring in mechanical engineering.

• Kate E. Schwarz of Arlington Heights, a sophomore at Millikin University, Decatur, was named to the Dean's List for the 2007 fall semester for earning a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

• Bridget Nordstrom of Arlington Heights was named to the Dean's List for the fall 2007 semester at Winona State University in Minnesota for achieving a minimum 3.5 grade point average.

• Christopher M. Montalbano of Arlington Heights was named to the 2007 fall Dean's List at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus in Minneapolis/St. Paul. To qualify, students achieved a grade point average of 3.66 or higher.

• Zachary A. Rosen of Arlington Heights was named to the 2007 fall Dean's List at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus in Minneapolis/St. Paul. To qualify, students achieved a grade point average of 3.66 or higher.

• Hope College in Holland, Mich., named the following students to the Dean's List for the first semester of the 2007-08 school year for having a minimum 3.5 grade point average.

Arlington Heights: Ann Frisella, sophomore; Jillian Valentino, sophomore; Sara E. Warner, senior; Erik Ruda, senior; and Sarah Wander, junior.

Rolling Meadows: Shauna M. Masura, senior.

• Elizabeth Shewmon, daughter of Brad and Sally Shewmon of Arlington Heights, was named to the first semester 2007-08 Dean's List at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota in Winona for earning at least a grade point average of 3.60.

• Ann Fesl of Arlington Heights was named to the 2007-08 fall quarter Dean's List at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio.

• Scott P. Dickinson of Arlington Heights, a student in the School of Music at Northwestern University, Evanston, was named to the 2007-08 fall quarter Dean's List for attaining a grade point average of at least 3.75.

• Sarah Friedmann of Arlington Heights, a student at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio, was named to the fall 2007 Dean's List for achieving at least a 3.5 grade point average.

Brett Steven Olson and Mary Lauren Wleklinski, both from Arlington Heights, and Bradley Thomas Callard, Rolling Meadows, were named to the fall 2007 Dean's List at Benedictine University in Lisle which recognizes full-time students who achieve at least a 3.5 grade point average.