Jacob Ferguson, a 2012 graduate of Butler High School and 2008 graduate of Butler Catholic, was recently selected as a Paul W. and Dorothy McConaughey Scholar in the Sciences at St. Vincent College. The award includes a full-tuition scholarship.

The McConaughey Scholars in the Sciences and Mathematics program annually supports one student in each class studying chemistry, biochemistry, physics or mathematics.

Jacob is the son of Kim and Ray Ferguson.

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Thiel College recently inducted four local students into the Pennsylvania Theta Chapter of Alpha Chi, a national honorary fraternity that recognizes students who achieve high academic standing.

Alyssa Bartlett, a senior early childhood education major, is from Slippery Rock.

Sheena Johns, a senior psychology and criminal justice studies major, is from Worthington.

Emily Petrak, a junior chemistry major, is from Butler.

Matthew Schneider, a senior neuroscience and psychology major, is from Butler.

On the 290 campuses with chapters, Alpha Chi membership is the highest academic honor that can be awarded.

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Thiel College senior Matt Schneider, a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, was awarded the J. Edward Zollinger Outstanding Senior Award at the Sigma Phi Epsilon Carlson Leadership Academy.

The award is presented each year to one senior in a district of seven Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia colleges. The award is based on outstanding scholastic achievement, campus leadership and community involvement.

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Allison Brungard of Mars, a student at Duquesne University, was initiated into Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.

Phi Kappa Phi recognizes and promotes academic excellence in all fields of higher education and engages the community of scholars in service to others.

Butler County Community College students Brittany Foertsch and Megan Scott were named to the 2013 All-Pennsylvania Academic Team by the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges and Phi Theta Kappa, the national two-year college honor society.

Foertsch and Scott were two of 45 community college students from across the state to be named to the 2013 All-Pennsylvania Academic Team.

The students were honored for their academic achievements and for their volunteerism.

Foertsch is studying business administration and Scott is studying early childhood education. Both students will receive associate degrees in May.

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At a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board recognized Ella Martin, 4th grade, and Armando Vargo, 2nd grade, both of Mars Elementary School, among more than 40 K-12 students who addressed the dangers of underage drinking by participating in the PLCB’s 21st annual Alcohol Education Poster Contest.

More than 600 students from 30 Pennsylvania counties participated in the contest. Entries were judged on presentation and message.

The student designs will be used for posters, bookmarks, coloring sheets and a calendar for students throughout the state. The winning posters were displayed in the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg from Monday through Friday.