(July 17, 2012 - Bellevue, Neb.) Following last month's commencement ceremony, Bellevue University proudly acknowledges the accomplishments of students who have earned degrees from January through June 2012 - 1,217 total, including 364 master's degrees and 853 bachelor's degrees. Graduates from 47 states represent the university's far-reaching impact.  Included among the graduates is Desirae Benge of Davenport with a  BS in International Security and Intelligence Studies.

Bellevue University is ranked second among all Nebraska institutions awarding the highest number of degrees and first among independent institutions, according to a report from the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education. The report cites that Bellevue University conferred 3,101 degrees in the 2010-2011 academic year, just behind the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, the state's largest academic institution. A private, non-profit institution, the University accounted for 55 percent of the increase in the number of degrees awarded by independent Nebraska institutions between 2000-01 and 2010-11.
Bellevue University offers more than 40 undergraduate degree programs and 17 graduate degree programs, with more programs in development. Those programs apply the University's unique active learning approach which allows students to attend class in a classroom or online, and meet with fellow students, discuss lessons with instructors, complete assignments and conduct research.

Bellevue University first offered online classes in November 1996 with a handful of students and six courses. Today, Bellevue University has more than 7,000 online students from all over the globe enrolled in more than 400 courses. Overall, more than 10,000 students now attend Bellevue University, making it the largest private university in Nebraska.

Bellevue University is a recognized national leader in providing post-secondary education opportunities for working adults. A private, non-profit institution, Bellevue University serves students at learning sites in three states, as well as worldwide through its award-winning online learning platform. Bellevue University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For more information, visit www.bellevue.edu.

UI students named to President's List for spring 2012

Some 280 undergraduate students at the University of Iowa were named to the President's List for the 2012 spring semester.  Included in that list is Carissa Marie Dewaele, a Liberal Arts and Sciences major, from Moline.

The President's List was established in the fall of 1983 to recognize academic excellence. In order to be included on the list, a student must have a minimum 4.0 grade point average (4.0 is an A) in all academic subjects for the preceding two semesters, with a total of at least 12 semester hours of credit per semester during that period.

UI students named to Dean's List for spring 2012

Some 3,900 undergraduate students at the University of Iowa were named to the Dean's List for the 2012 spring semester. Local students who made this list are as follows:

from Moline, IL:

  • Melissa Diane Dawkins, Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Carissa Marie Dewaele, Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Ross Parker Elliott, Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • William Exon Elliott, Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Samantha Nicole McCarthy, Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Alana Christine McGinnis, Nursing
  • Mary Tedford McLaughlin, Liberal Arts and Sciences


from Rock Island, IL

  • Ashley Michelle Colman, Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Casey Patrick Cunningham, Business
  • Kevin Robert Johnson, Engineering
  • Nick Henry Neppl, Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Christina Joanne Richmond, Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Brittney Janae Ross, Nursing

The guidelines for inclusion on the list are as follows:

Undergraduate students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Engineering, and the Tippie College of Business who achieve a grade point average of 3.50 or higher on 12 semester hours or more of UI graded course work during a given semester or summer session and who have no semester hours of I (incomplete) or O (no grade reported) during the same semester are recognized by inclusion on the Dean's List for that semester.

Undergraduate students in the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine may qualify for the Dean's List with fewer than 12 semester hours of graded credit if deemed appropriate by the college.

Beginning fall 2011, College of Nursing students participating in clinical courses must have a total of 12 semester hours of earned credit, with 8 semester hours of graded credit with a grade point average of 3.50 or higher.

The University of Iowa awarded an estimated 4,300 degrees at the close of the 2012 spring session. Among the students from the (hometown) area who received degrees at the UI commencement are:

from Moline IL:
Hilary Ann Callas, BBA, Management
Sophie Marie Doroba, JD
Alana Christine McGinnis, BSN, Nursing
Michael Edward Turczynski, BA, Theatre Arts
Allison Kay Vannatta, JD

from Rock Island IL:
Shawna Christine Elmore Cassidy, MBA, with distinction
Casey Patrick Cunningham, BBA, Economics, Finance
Drew William Dezeeuw, BSE, Mechanical Engineering
Steven Robert Resch, BBA, Management, Marketing
Marissa Lynn West, BLS

La Crosse, Wis. - Rachel Budelier of Davenport has been named to the Dean's List at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse for the spring semester of the 2011-12 academic year, ending May 2012.


Qualification for the Dean's List is limited to students who have attained outstanding academic achievement. To be eligible, students must have earned not less than a 3.5 semester grade point average and have carried a minimum of 12 semester credits.


UW-La Crosse, founded in 1909, is one of the 13 four-year institutions in the University of Wisconsin System. UW-L has nearly 10,000 full and part-time students enrolled in 43 undergraduate majors, 17 master's degree offerings and three certificate programs.


UW-La Crosse - www.uwlax.edu - ranks No. 2 in the Midwest's top regional public universities listing by U.S.News & World Report's 2012 College Guide. The university is No. 62 on a list of the nation's best 100 colleges by Kiplinger's magazine (2012) and is on the list of "Military Friendly Schools" by G.I.Jobs.