At the University of Rhode Island's 126th Commencement on Saturday and Sunday, May 19-20, 2012, almost 3,000 undergraduate and 738 graduate students became the University's newest alumni.

The following local residents were among the students who received their undergraduate or graduate degrees:

• Jean-Ann Helger, a resident of Adamsville, RI received a BSN degree in Nursing .

• Andrew T. Giguere, a resident of Little Compton, RI received a BS degree in Environmental Science and Management , summa cum laude.

• Jared B. Hopton, a resident of Little Compton, RI received a BA degree in History .

• Kristen Frady, a resident of Little Compton, RI received a BS degree in Human Development and Family Studies , magna cum laude.

• Amanda E. Poirier, a resident of Little Compton, RI received a BA degree in Elementary Education and a BA in Writing and Rhetoric, magna cum laude.

• Robert M. Griffin, a resident of Little Compton, RI received a PHD degree in Environment and Natural Resource Economics .

• Lucinda Cherry Scott Kellermeier, a resident of Little Compton, RI received a MLIS degree in Library and Information Studies .

• Alexander J. Da Costa, a resident of Tiverton, RI received a BSBA degree in Entrepreneurial Management .

• Ashley E. Xavier, a resident of Tiverton, RI received a BSBA degree in General Business Administration .

• Gretchen M. Busse, a resident of Tiverton, RI received a BS degree in Communicative Disorders .

• Andrew L. Munroe, a resident of Tiverton, RI received a BA degree in Film Media , magna cum laude.

• Heather L. Jamieson, a resident of Tiverton, RI received a BSCE degree in Chemical Engineering , summa cum laude.

• Jaeke M. Donahue, a resident of Tiverton, RI received a BSBA degree in General Business Administration .

• Katherine A. Fitzsimmons, a resident of Tiverton, RI received a BA degree in Communication Studies .

• Lauren Staskiewicz, a resident of Tiverton, RI received a BS degree in Human Development and Family Studies .

• Marc D. Vigeant, a resident of Tiverton, RI received a BSCVE degree in Civil Engineering , cum laude.

• Matthew M. O'hara, a resident of Tiverton, RI received a BA degree in Mathematics .

• Megan E. Banner, a resident of Tiverton, RI received a BS degree in Microbiology , magna cum laude.

• Nathan J. Mello, a resident of Tiverton, RI received a BS degree in Kinesiology , cum laude.

• Neil G. Furtado, a resident of Tiverton, RI received a BS degree in Environmental Horticulture and Turfgrass Management .

• Ralph I. Plant, a resident of Tiverton, RI received a BA degree in Psychology .

• Russell A. Helger, a resident of Tiverton, RI received a BSEE degree in Electrical Engineering , summa cum laude.

• Sandra L. Ouellette, a resident of Tiverton, RI received a BSN degree in Nursing , cum laude.

• Shari L. Danforth, a resident of Tiverton, RI received a BS degree in Human Development and Family Studies .

• Shane A. Taylor, a resident of Tiverton, RI received a BSCVE degree in Civil Engineering .

• Thomas M. Duarte, a resident of Tiverton, RI received a BSME degree in Mechanical Engineering .

• Mitchell D. Mello, a resident of Tiverton, RI received a BA degree in History and a BA in Political Science.

• Bret R. Dion, a resident of Tiverton, RI received a BSEE degree in Electrical Engineering and a BS in Mathematics.

• F Patrick Lattuca III, a resident of Tiverton, RI received a PHD degree in Education .

Students who received the honor summa cum laude graduated with a cumulative grade point average (GPA ) of at least 3.7; students who received the honor of magna cum laude graduated with a GPA of at least 3.50; and students who received the honor of cum laude graduated with a GPA of at least 3.3.