—Brooke Johnson, of Dexter, a graduate of Austin High School, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Arts/Literature Education with Magna Cum Laude, at the Minnesota State University Moorhead May 15.

—Audrey Ferris, of Austin received a bachelor of arts degree from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota on May 9 in Winona.

—Maetzin Cruz-Reyes, child of Rosario Cruz Garcia and Luisa Reyes-Ortiz, of Taopi, was named to the second semester, 2014-15 dean’s list at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

—Sam Gerstner graduated from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Illustration. Gerstner grew up in Austin and is a graduate of Austin High School. He is the son of Vicki and Mark Gerstner. Following his graduation, he plans to seek employment while working on freelance illustration.

—Air Force Airman Daniel V. Hawley graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. Hawley is the son of Dennis and Krista Hawley of Austin. He is a 2013 graduate of Austin High School.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

U of M, Mankato

—The following local students graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato during the spring/summer commencement exercises May 9 in Taylor Center on the Minnesota State Mankato campus:

From Adams

—Mitchell Heimer, BS, Mass Communications, Cum Laude

—Holly Meyer, BS, Applied Organizational Studies, Magna Cum Laude

From Austin

—Alex Brennan, BS, Rec, Parks & Leisure Services

—Titian Butash, BFA, Art, Magna Cum Laude

—Beth Hamilton, BFA, Art

—Brooklyn Maiers, BS, Elementary Education, Cum Laude

—Garrett Mueller, MS, Health Sci: School Health

—Cameron O’Connor, BS, Rec, Parks & Leisure Services

—Brooke Rosenstiel, BS, Speech Communication

—Alyssa Schroeder, BS, Special Education: Academic & Behav Srat, Summa Cum Laude

—Esperanza Torres Garcia, BS, Dental Hygiene

—Ariet Welo, BS, Corrections

From Brownsdale

—Paul Hunter, BS, Environmental Sciences

—Jordan Steiner, BFA, Art

LeRoy

—Angela Wheeler, BS, Family Consumer Science, Summa Cum Laude