Alexis Tonti, the daughter of Robert and Alicia Tonti of West Tisbury, has graduated from Columbia University’s School of the Arts with an MFA in writing (nonfiction concentration). Ms. Tonti earned the degree in October 2011, though the official ceremony took place in May as part of university-wide commencement exercises. Ms. Tonti, who lives in Brooklyn, N.Y., is the former news editor for the Vineyard Gazette and now works as managing editor for the alumni magazine Columbia College Today.