A thespian acts, a student is honored, grads get degrees

Hewlett resident Jillian Feuerstein is a member of the 2018 New Paltz Production of “Water by the Spoonful.” A winner of the 2012 Pulitzer prize, the play is a drama about a soldier’s return to civilian life, directed by Jerry Ruiz. Performances were in early March at the SUNY’s school Parker Theatre.

Eliyahu Hurwitz, of Woodmere, was inducted into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at Nova Southeastern University. The society is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society, which recognizes excellence in all academic disciplines.

He was invited as one of 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into the program. Only 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. Also, the top 10 percent of graduate students and faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction can be considered.

The society was founded in 1897 has chapters on more than 325 campuses in the United States and Philippines. Its mission is “to recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community scholars in service to others.”

Hofstra graduates

Among the nearly 600 Hofstra University students that earned their undergraduate, graduate, or law degrees at the midyear commencement ceremony at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex on Dec. 20, were Diana Curcio of Lawrence, who earned a master’s degree in health administration; David Hirsch from Cedarhurst, who received a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry; Jenna Kurz of Hewlett, who was presented with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology; and Cedarhurst resident Maayan Vazana, who earned a Master of Science in physician assistant studies.