Hometown News: UC Santa Barbara, Crane, Smathers

Local students make dean's list at UCSBUndergraduate students at the University of California, Santa Barbara achieving excellence in their academic work during the spring quarter 2007 have been selected for the Dean's Honor List.Student name and majors: Joseph Aaron Applebaum, Applegate, film and media studies; Andrew Sheldon Cosbie, Auburn, chemical engineering; Christopher Steven Kindell, Auburn, psychology, history; Patrick J. Lohse, Auburn, pharmacology; Rowland Wilde O'Flaherty, Auburn, electrical engineering, electrical and computer engineering; Caroline M. Smith, Auburn, history; Megan Anne Sullivan, Auburn, music, psychology; Vivian Margerite Wauters, Auburn, linguistics; Aaron Marcus Altman, Loomis, business economics; Anna Nichole Keplinger, Meadow Vista, global studies; Jordan D. Tillotson, Meadow Vista, music; Bridget A. Bissell, Weimar, Letters and Science Program (Undeclared). Crane graduates from coast guard Coast Guard Seaman Greg S. Crane, grandson of Norman L. Herron of Auburn, recently graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May, N.J.During the eight-week training program, Crane completed a vigorous training curriculum consisting of academics and practical instruction on water safety and survival, military customs and courtesies, seamanship skills, first aid, fire fighting and marksmanship. A major emphasis is also placed on physical fitness, health and wellness.Crane and other recruits also received instruction on the Coast Guard's core values - honor, respect and devotion to duty - and how to apply them in their military performance and personal conduct. Crane will join 36,000 other men and women who comprise Coast Guard's force. Men and women train together from the first day in the Coast Guard just as they do aboard ships and shore units throughout the world.To reinforce the team concept, Crane, and other recruits were trained in preventing sexual harassment, drug and alcohol awareness, civil rights training, and the basics of the work-life balance, as well as total quality management.Crane is a 2000 graduate of Rim High School of Lake Arrowhead.Smathers is Air Force instructor of the yearAir Force Tech. Sgt. Eric C. Smathers has been named Air Force Logistics Readiness Instructor of the Year for 2006.Selection was based on the individual's exemplary duty performance, job knowledge, leadership qualities, significant self-improvement, specific achievements, notable accomplishments, and community service and support.Smathers, an Air Transportation Formal Schools supervisor, is assigned to the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center, Fort Dix, Trenton, N.J. The sergeant has served in the military for 15 years.He is the son of Hugh Gary Smathers of Auburn, and grandson of Norman C. Millert of Fair Oaks. His wife, Teresa, is the daughter of Glenn W. Ellingson of Sacramento.In 1989, Smathers graduated from Rio Americano High School, Sacramento, and received an associate degree in 2004 and 2005, both from the Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell Air Force Base, Gunter Annex, Montgomery, Ala.