Citizens Bank has announced that Joseph McGowan has been named the manager of its branch in Burlington. He is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the branch, including providing quality customer service, business development and implementing promotional activities and programs.

McGowan has more than eight years of banking and financial service experience. Prior to joining Citizens, he was the assistant vice president at HSBC in Houston, Texas.

At ceremonies June 13 during Saint Michael's College Reunion 2009 festivities, the SMC Alumni Association named Joanne Nelson, a 1984 graduate of the college, as the Rev. John Verret, SSE, Distinguished Alumna of the Year. An extraordinary servant to college students at Saint Michael’s and then at Emmanuel College, Ms. Nelson was praised by SMC Vice President for Institutional Advancement Patrick Gallivan for being a person who has typified Mother Theresa’s saying, “Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.”

At ceremonies June 13 during Saint Michael's College Reunion 2009 festivities, the SMC Alumni Association named Joseph Boutin Alumnus of the Year. A leader in the banking industry in Vermont and nationally, Mr. Boutin, a 1969 graduate of Saint Michael’s, celebrated the 40th anniversary of his graduation at the reunion.

“We are pleased to honor a man who is the walking definition of commitment to community, church, family and college,” said Patrick Gallivan, SMC vice president for institutional advancement.

Laura Hall, 21, of South Burlington was crowned Miss Vermont 2009 at the historic Barre Opera House last week. Hall is a senior at Assumption College, studying Organizational Communication. She performed a jazz dance to “Almost Like Being in Love” in the talent portion of the competition. Hall has chosen “Youth Empowerment – Leaders of Today” as her platform for her year of service.