AUGUSTA
Peter Conroy LaCasse of 63 Parkwood Drive received a bachelor of arts degree cum laude in history. A dean’s list student and member of the men’s alpine ski team, Lacasse was a junior adviser in 1997-98. He is a graduate of Holderness School in Plymouth, N.H., and the son of John and Susan LaCasse.

Jessica Ann Pooler of 11 Drew St. received a bachelor of science degree cum laude in biology. A dean’s list student, she is a graduate of Hall-Dale High School and the daughter of Matthew Pooler. After graduation, she plans to attend the pharmacy program at the University of Rhode Island.

CASCO
Michelle Lynn Baldwin of Mill Stream Terrace graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in anthropology with honors. She was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious academic honor society, and earned dean’s list status in each of her semesters at Bates. Baldwin spent a junior semester abroad in Greece and participated in a 1997 Ladd Internship at Lakes Environmental in Bridgton. She is a graduate of Lake Region High School and the daughter of Raymond and Madeline Baldwin.

Kerrie Siena Toole of Thompson Lake Shores Road received a bachelor of arts in psychology. A dean’s list student, she spent a junior semester abroad at University College in Galway, Ireland. Toole was a member of the women’s ice hockey club and will begin the master’s program in social work at Columbia University in the fall. She is a graduate of Lake Region High School and the daughter of Allen and Sheila Toole.

FARMINGTON
Hannah W. Swallow of 14 North Main St. earned a bachelor of arts degree in psychology. A dean’s list student, she was a member of the women’s outdoor track team. Swallow was named All-New England and All-Eastern College Athletic Conference  in the 4X400 in 1994 and All-New England and All-ECAC in the 4X800 in 1995. She also was a member of the women’s alpine ski team. A graduate of Carrabassett Valley Academy, she is the daughter of Dr. Peter and Lucia Swallow.

KINGFIELD
Brandi Sue Richards of Narrow Gauge Road earned a bachelor of arts degree in psychology and women’s studies. A dean’s list student and 1996 Mitchell Scholar, she was a member of the softball team and participated in a service learning program in 1997 by working with Advocates for Children in Lewiston. A graduate of Mt. Abram High School, she is the daughter of Bonita Richards of Kingfield and Mark Richards of Strong.

LEWISTON
Paul Matthew Christman of 35 Wood St. earned a bachelor of arts degree in biology. A dean’s list student, Christman completed a service-learning internship with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. He is the son of Bernadette Christman of Greene and the late Ramond Christman.

Tracy Lee Gregoire of 19 Mitchell St. graduated cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in interdisciplinary studies. Gregoire was named the 1996-97 Ruggles Scholar, an award made to a Bates junior in recognition of outstanding achievement in the liberal arts and sciences. A dean’s list student for her entire four years at Bates, Gregoire was a member of the Environmental Coalition, a student-run activist group, and the Environmental Issues Committee, a group of students, faculty and staff at Bates. She also served on the college’s committee to establish an environmental studies program, worked as a facilitator of the Healing of Persons Exceptional support group and was a staff reporter from 1995 to 1996 for The Bates Student, the campus newspaper. She was a student teacher at her alma mater Lewiston High School and received teaching certification in the physical sciences. Gregoire is the daughter of Daniel and Jo-Ann Gregoire.

Maureen Lillian Hecker of 253 Central Ave. earned a bachelor of arts degree in English. A dean’s list student, she is a graduate of Lewiston High School and the daughter of Ronald and Marilyn Hecker.

LITCHFIELD
Jarad Douglas Bernotavicz earned a bachelor of science in physics. A dean’s list student, he participated in Outing Club hikes and trips and did summer research with Eric Wollman, professor of physics. A graduate of Oak Hill High School, he is the son of John and Freda Bernotavicz.

LIVERMORE
Christina Regan Damon of 108 Cross Road earned a bachelor of arts degree in psychology. A dean’s list student, she was a member of the women’s rugby club and spent her junior year abroad in Ireland. Damon participated in a 1997 Ladd Internship with the Rural Community Action Ministry in Leeds and served as a member of the Representative Assembly committee for off-campus study and extracurricular activities/residential life. She is a graduate of Livermore Falls High School and the daughter of Dennis and Claire Damon.

NEW SHARON
Amy Joanne Chandler of Cape Cod Hill Road earned a bachelor of arts degree in music. A dean’s list student, she was a member of the waterski team and spent a junior semester abroad at the University of Melbourne, Australia. Chandler performed a violin concert as her senior thesis in the Olin Arts Center Concert Hall. She also frequently performed the fiddle at contradances. She is a graduate of Mt. Blue High School and the daughter of Adrian and Marilyn Chandler.

PRESQUE ISLE
Ruth Walton Mills of 87 Dupont Drive, formerly of Wilton, earned a bachelor of arts degree in psychology. A dean’s list student, she is a graduate of Mt. Blue High School and the daughter of Margaret Johnson of Presque Isle and S. Peter Mills III of Skowhegan.

STANDISH
Laura Nicole West of Oak Hill Road graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in English with honors. She was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious academic honor society, and earned dean’s list status in each of her semesters at Bates. A member of the women’s rugby club and captain her senior year, she also played on the women’s soccer team and spent a junior semester abroad in Alicante, Spain. West served on the board of Habitat for Humanity and worked for the Bates College Bookstore from 1994 to 1998. She is a graduate of Bonny Eagle High School and the daughter of James and Susan West.

WILTON
David Milton Chamberlain of 32 Fenderson Hill Road earned a bachelor of science degree in mathematics. He was elected to Sigma Xi, a North American Honor Society founded in 1886 for excellence in scientific research. A dean’s list student, Chamberlain competed for the men’s Nordic ski team, producing some of the best results in Bates ski history. The first two-time All American, as well as one of the first athletes to participate in the NCAA championships for four consecutive years, Chamberlain was a Lloyd Lux award recipient and the captain of the 1997-98 men’s team. Chamberlain is a graduate of Mt. Blue High School and the son of Peter and Sarah Chamberlain.