Matthew T. Williams, of Glen Allen, has been accepted into The Julliard School’s new Master of Fine Arts in Drama program, beginning next week. This inaugural class accepted only eight graduate actors. The MFA in Drama is a four-year conservatory program in actor training. Students in the graduate program will participate in advanced courses in addition to working side by side with undergraduates in certain skill sets and in performance. The final year of the MFA program is dedicated to performance and other opportunities creating a bridge to the profession.

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Hampen-Sydney College student Brandon A. Long recently studied the Spanish language, culture and contemporary issues at the Universidad de Alcala De Henares in Spain. The opportunity is offered to Hampen-Sydney College students by the Global Education and Study Abroad department at H-SC through the University of Franklin at the Universidad de Alcala. Students reside in private homes during their stay and the personal contact with host families provides a first-hand experience of Spanish life and culture. Long is a graduate of J.R. Tucker High School and is the son of Anthony and Kelly Long, of Glen Allen.

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Ryan Easter, of Richmond, recently was named to the dean’s list for the spring 2012 semester at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass. To be eligible for the dean’s list, students must achieve a grade point average of 3.4 or higher.

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Kristen Baird, of Richmond, and Kori Amacker, of Glen Allen, recently graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Ga. Baird earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in metals and jewelry. Amacker earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in animation.

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Gov. Bob McDonnell has appointed several local residents to Virginia boards and commissions: Biotechnology Research Partnership Authority – Mary C. Doswell, of Richmond, senior vice president of Alternative Energy Solutions for Dominion Resources; and Dr. Benjamin J. Lambert, of Richmond, optometrist; Board of Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects – Robert A. Boynton, of Richmond, architect at Boynton Rothschild Rowland Architects; and Board of Historic Resources – H. Edward “Chip” Mann, of Glen Allen, public affairs specialist.