HOLYOKE — The following Franklin County students were named to the dean’s list at Holyoke Community College for the fall semester:
Katrina Lynn Chasse of Ashfield; Kelly Diane Trudeau of Bernardston; Ashley B. Benedetti, Sarah Coulsey, Samantha Marie Cramer, Dominique Isabella Fitzroy, Elizabeth Sanchez and Amber Michelle Taylor, all of Greenfield; Gina Anne Barnhart of Hawley; Emily Helen Owen and Maya Pierce, both of Leverett; Kelsey Lynn Carey of Montague; Thomas John Thibeault of Orange; Olga Minina and Hunter Schieding, both of Shutesbury; Terri Nicole Lindsey of South Deerfield; and Rachel Elizabeth Olds, Matthew Zachariah Barrows, Natalie Denoronha and Fernando Saravia, all of Sunderland.
A student is named to the dean’s list if their grade point average is 3.2 or higher.
FITCHBURG — Fitchburg State University recently held the winter ceremony of its 128th commencement exercises, conferring hundreds of graduate and undergraduate degrees, including to the following Franklin County and North Quabbin residents:
Athol: Bridgette Michelle Norma Billingham, master’s degree in curriculum and teaching; Lyndsey Marie Guilmette, bachelor’s degree in business administration; Paige Marylin King, bachelor’s degree in business administration; Jennifer C. Parsons, master’s degree in special education; and Tracy Anne Thompson, master’s degree in special education.
Greenfield: Michelle Bettencourt, master’s degree in business administration.
Heath: Joshua Aaron Shearer, master’s degree in curriculum and teaching.
New Salem: Cristie Marie LaJoie, bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies; and Morgan Lee McCarthy, bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
Phillipston: Jamison D. Leger, master’s degree in business administration.
Royalston: Elisabeth Marie Cassinari, master’s degree in special education.
Turners Falls: James A. Major, bachelor’s degree in educational studies.
AGAWAM — The Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation invites western Massachusetts farmers to apply for Local Farmer Awards of up to $2,500. The deadline to apply is Jan. 31.
These grants are intended to help farmers purchase capital equipment related to planting, growing, harvesting and processing that will help them compete in the marketplace. For example, the awards have helped farmers make improvements such as upgrading electric fencing, purchasing no-till equipment, expanding irrigation, installing frost-free water systems and purchasing feed troughs.
The Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation offers the Local Farmer Awards in partnership with Big Y, the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation, and with the support of other funders.
“We are delighted to once again support farmers in western Massachusetts through these grants,” John Lee, president of the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, said in a statement. “It is truly inspiring to witness the creativity, thoughtfulness and uniqueness they bring to their projects.”
To be eligible, farms must have gross sales of $10,000 and be located in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin or Berkshire counties. For a full list of eligibility requirements and application information, visit farmerawards.org.