Northampton County Residents Honored for Academic Excellence

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Pictured left to right: Walter Ryan Schuster, Alyssa Marie Thorley and Harold Baillie, Ph.D., provost and senior vice-president for academic affairs.

SCRANTON, PA (06/14/2013)(readMedia)-- Two Northampton County residents were recognized for academic excellence and outstanding service by The University of Scranton at Commencement. Walter Ryan Schuster of Nazareth and Alyssa Marie Thorley of Bethlehem were honored alongside 67 other graduates who earned some of the nation's most prestigious honors including Goldwater, Truman and Fulbright scholarships.

Schuster graduated summa cum laude from The University of Scranton and received the Excellence in Philosophy Award.

Schuster majored in philosophy with minors in chemistry and Spanish at the Jesuit university. He is a member of Phi Sigma Tau (the international honor society for philosophy) and Alpha Sigma Nu (the honor society for Jesuit universities and colleges). He was also a member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program and Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.

Schuster was a staff writer for the faith section of university's student newspaper, The Aquinas, and a peer tutor for the university's Center for Teaching and Learning Excellent. He was a member of the philosophy society and the concert and jazz bands.

This fall, Schuster will pursue his Juris Doctorate at The College of William and Mary.

Schuster is a graduate of Bethlehem Catholic High School in Bethlehem.

Thorley graduated magna cum laude from The University of Scranton and received the Jesuit Community Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service.

Thorley double majored in mathematics and theology at the Jesuit university. She is a member of Pi Mu Epsilon (the national honor society for mathematics), Theta Alpha Kappa (the national honor society for religious studies and theology), Alpha Lambda Delta (the national honor society for first-year students) and Alpha Sigma Nu (the honor society for Jesuit universities and colleges).

Thorley was a mathematics tutor for the University's Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence for seven semesters and a member of the mathematics club. She was a member of the Scripture of Scranton, Students for Suicide Prevention, and the pro-life club.

This summer, Thorley will be entering the Sisters of Christian Charity in Mendham, N.J.

Thorley is a graduate of Bethlehem Catholic High School in Bethlehem.

Photo Caption: The University of Scranton honored 2013 graduates who exemplified its Jesuit Tradition through academics and service. Pictured left to right: Walter Ryan Schuster, Alyssa Marie Thorley and Harold Baillie, Ph.D., provost and senior vice-president for academic affairs.