Purdue | Hammond, West Lafayette, Ind.

Purdue University will award degrees at its West Lafayette campus on Dec. 16 and at its Calumet campus on Dec. 18. Ceremonies for the West Lafayette campus are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. in Elliott Hall of Music. Ceremonies for the Calumet campus will be at 6 p.m. in the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville. There are 2,758 students who are candidates for degrees at the West Lafayette campus, of which 1,980 are undergraduates, 766 are graduate students and 12 are professional candidates. At the Calumet campus, 720 students are candidates for degrees.

Otis Brewer III, of Highland, who will receive a bachelor's degree in human resources, will provide the student response at the Calumet commencement.

Tickets, issued to graduation participants for family and friends, are required for admission. The doors will open 90 minutes before each ceremony.

Purdue North Central | Westville

Purdue University North Central students were recently honored for their high academic achievement in ceremonies conducted by the Alpha Mu Pi chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society. Four English majors and three liberal studies majors were recognized for their personal accomplishments and awarded lifetime membership certificates and membership pins.

The new members are Angela Clark, Wanatah; Lindsay Nielsen, LaPorte; Kelly Daubek and Beth Maack, Valparaiso; Karen Martin, Chesterton; and Kelly Richmond and Sarah Weber, Michigan City.

In addition to conferring distinction on outstanding students, Sigma Tau Delta promotes interest in literacy and literature on local campuses and in the surrounding community and fosters the discipline of English in all its aspects, including creative and critical writing.

DePaul | Chicago

Ryan Kokesh, of Chesterton, was named to the dean's list for the fall quarter at DePaul University. The son of Leslie and Rich Kokesh, he is majoring in interactive media in the university's School of Computer Science, Telecommunications, and Information Technology.

Prairie State | Chicago Heights

Prairie State College student Felicia Ditmars was recently named tournament champion among the 75 individual competitors at the Kishwaukee College Forensics Tournament. Ditmars, of Lynwood, also placed sixth in Prose Interpretation, fifth in Program Oral Interpretation, and second in Persuasive Speaking. She earned top honors as tournament champion in Dramatic Interpretation.

Overall, PSC's team placed fifth out of 15 colleges and universities. Other members of the team who won individual medals were Favian Apata, of Chicago Heights, who placed sixth in Informative Speaking; and Emily Allen, of Chicago Heights, and Apata who placed sixth in Dramatic Duo Interpretation.

At the College of Lake County tournament, PSC's team finished fourth out of 15 colleges and universities. Ditmars earned third-place honors overall among the 75 individual competitors. She also placed third in Dramatic Interpretation, third in Program Oral Interpretation, and second in Persuasive Speaking.

Patrick Huber, of Crete, placed third in Impromptu Speaking and earned honors as tournament champion in Persuasive Speaking. Brian Hand, of Flossmoor, placed second in Impromptu Speaking.

How to submit campus notes:

The Times publishes notices about accomplishments of area college students. Items are submitted by the institutions and by readers. Photos are run subject to space and clarity. Submit items to Jen Pallay, The Times, 601 45th Ave., Munster, IN 46321. E-mail jpallay@nwitimes.com. Questions? Call (219) 937-5741.