Oliver Yasuna, a single father living in Hopkinton, is headed to WPI after graduating from MassBay Community College.

After attending college for a short time after high school, then joining the workforce for more than a decade, Oliver Yasuna enrolled at MassBay Community College.

Yasuna, also a single father, made the dean’s list every semester, was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa international honor society, and recently graduated with a 3.96 grade point average. Additionally, the Hopkinton resident was a mentee in the MassBay STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Mentor Program and tutored his peers in math through the college’s Academic Achievement Center. While studying at MassBay, Yasuna interned at Perthera, Inc. in Holliston, which developed into full-time employment.

Now Yasuna has been accepted to Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he will study computer science starting this fall.

“I don’t know if I would have come back to college if it wasn’t for my son, but I’m glad I did,” Yasuna said. “WPI is a dream college for me. Ten years ago, I would not have believed this was possible, but here I am headed there in the fall.”

Yasuna graduated from MassBay with an associate of science degree in computer science, earning high honors. His future goals include earning his master and doctoral degrees, as well as beginning his own startup company.

Local students graduate, earn academic recognition

A number of Hopkinton residents recently completed their degrees at Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island. Ryan Bannon graduated cum laude with a B.S. in finance, Justin Blanchard graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in marketing, Luke Lukose graduated with a B.S. in engineering (computer engineering specialization), Kyle Rector graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in engineering (mechanical engineering specialization) and Ryan Wolfe graduated cum laude with a B.S. in marketing. All five grads were named to the dean’s list for the spring semester, as were fellow Hopkintonians Linnea Dean, Rebeccah Johnson and Tyler Zanini. …

Shannon Finnegan graduated with a degree in government and Devon Rancourt received a degree in Slavic studies and history from Connecticut College. Rancourt and freshman Haley Goldner were named to the dean’s list with high honors. …

Natalie Shambo graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in nursing from Endicott College in Beverly. Shambo also was named to the dean’s list, as were Amanda Gilbert (exercise science), Emma Murphy (liberal studies/education), Katherine O’Connor (communication) and Selia Potas (studio art).

Courtney Hassan graduated with a degree in psychology from James Madison University. Also at JMU, Andrew Nealon, a kinesiology major, was named to the president’s list. …

At the University of Vermont, Sarah Lincoln received a Bachelor of Science and Anna Schonhorn graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. Meanwhile, Madeleine Holden, Mary Montalto and Landon York were named to the dean’s list. …

Julianna Kramer, who majored in history and French and Francophone studies, graduated summa cum laude from Union College. …

At Quinnipiac University, Stephen Gomez received a B.S. in computer information systems and Harper Groman earned a B.A. in advertising and integrated communications. …

Carly Chase, a marketing communication/advertising major, earned a spot on the dean’s list at Western New England University. …

At the University of Rhode Island, Emilie Carroll, Charles Dumas, Courtney Manning, Sydney Olson and Brianna Tocco were named to the dean’s list. …

Corinne Messier, a rising junior majoring in health and business studies, was named to the president’s list at Bentley University. …

Named to the dean’s list at Coastal Carolina University were Hannah Deal, an early childhood education pre-major, and Taylor McLaughlin, a sociology major. …

Teresa Moreno was named to the dean’s list at Georgia Tech. …

At Husson University in Bangor, Maine, Emmaline G. Kent was named to the president’s list. Kent is enrolled in the school’s video/film production program. …

Ryan Muldoon, a finance major, was named to the dean’s list at Marquette University. …

At the College of Charleston in South Carolina, Jessica Beck (majoring in international studies and political science) and Caitlin Dean (psychology) were named to the president’s list, while Kyle Schlicke (commercial real estate finance) was named to the dean’s list. …

Dylan Goldman, who is majoring in health science/pre-physician assistant, was named to the dean’s list at Springfield College. …

At Dean College in Franklin, Kinnon McEachern and James Peishoff were named to the dean’s list. …

At Fairfield University, Brigid Belger, Julia Canestrari, Andrew D’Alleva, Alexandra Graeber, Cecily McNamara, Alexandria Power and Lily Rancatore were named to the dean’s list. …

Adam MacLeod was named to the dean’s list at Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. …

Elizabeth DeSimone was named to the dean’s list at Providence College.

Editor’s note: Information for college honors is provided by the schools. Those interested in being included in this section should forward the information or request for the school to email it to: editor@hopkintonindependent.com.