Dordt College of Sioux Center, Iowa, has awarded Ben Schroder of Long Grove with an Honors scholarship. 

Scholarship details are available at www.dordt.edu/admissions/financial_aid/scholarships/all.shtml.

Dordt College is a comprehensive Christian college rooted in the Reformed faith. In the 2010 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Dordt College ranked fourth among Midwest Baccalaureate Colleges and eighth on the "Great Schools, Great Prices" list, which compares tuition price with the quality of the program. Dordt College is located in Sioux Center, Iowa, and offers over 90 programs of study to a student body of over 1,300. See www.dordt.edu for more information.

News from Creighton University

For more information contact: Cindy Workman, 402-280-2969

Local Students Named to Dean's List at Creighton University

OMAHA, NEB. (06/14/2011)(readMedia)-- The following students from your area were named to the Spring Dean's List at Creighton University for the 2010-2011 academic year.

Michael Barnes of Bettendorf a Sophomore Arts and Sciences student.

Emily Stensrud of Bettendorf a Second Year Pharmacy and Health Professions student.

Elizabeth Hines of Davenport a Freshman Arts and Sciences student.

Alexandria Clark of Rock Island a Freshman Arts and Sciences student.

Full-time students who earn a 3.5 grade-point average or better on a 4.0 scale are eligible for the Dean's Honor Roll.

About Creighton University: Creighton University, a Catholic, Jesuit institution located in Omaha, Neb., enrolls more than 4,100 undergraduate and 3,200 professional school and graduate students. Nationally recognized for providing a balanced educational experience, the University offers a rigorous academic agenda with a broad range of disciplines, providing undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs that emphasize educating the whole person: academically, socially and spiritually. Creighton has been a top-ranked Midwestern university in the college edition of U.S. News & World Report magazine for more than 20 years. For more information, visit our website at: www.creighton.edu.

PLAINFIELD, IL (06/10/2011)(readMedia)-- Military flying is in the blood of the Kephart family. Illinois Army National Guard Capt. Peter Kephart of Plainfield is a fourth generation military aviator. His father retired from the Army in 1998 as a chief warrant officer (4). His grandfather retired from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel. His great-grandfather also retired from the military. Kephart also has an uncle who is a retired colonel from the Air Force and another uncle who retired as a chief warrant officer (3) from the Army. All of the Kephart servicemembers spent their careers as aviators.

Peter, the commander of Company B, 106th Aviation in Chicago, said the family ties to the military made the decision for him to join the Illinois Army National Guard easy.

"Being raised by a chief warrant officer (4), it was a foregone conclusion," Peter said. "I respected his passion and mastery of the aviation craft and actively pursued the military in order to emulate his success and tradition."

Peter's father, Marcus Kephart of Thayer, Kan., who also served with the Illinois Army National Guard's Company B, 106th Aviation in Chicago, was a UH-1 Huey pilot in Vietnam. He recently concluded a 40-year career as an aviator retiring from the Army in 1998 and retiring from United Airlines as a Boeing 767 captain in 2008. Marcus said it was his dad who gave him advice that made him so successful.

"I clawed my way up from the bottom, taking my dad's advice," Marcus said. "He told me to take the jobs nobody else wants and eventually you will have the job everybody else wants. I was happy to retire as a captain flying Boeing 767s."

Marcus said he made up his mind that he would join the military before he was in kindergarten. He said it was family tradition and a heritage of aviators who influenced his interest in the military.

"I wanted to serve my country like my father did," Marcus said. "My father flew B-17s in World War II and his father flew balloons in World War I. My great uncle also fought in the Civil War."

While an aviation career was in the air, Marcus and Peter both said no one pushed them to join the military or fly an aircraft. Their biggest motivator to be successful was themselves.

"There is only self-induced pressure," Marcus said. "Every flight you try to make your best. After 40 years and 27,000 plus hours, I'm still looking for the perfect flight."

Peter admits he is very competitive and works hard to be the best.

"Self preservation is one hell of a motivating factor," Peter said. "Army aviators are generally type-A personalities. Inherent to that, they possess the self motivation and discipline required to be successful aviators."

Peter and Marcus have both deployed overseas during their military careers. During his 15-year career, Peter has deployed once, serving in Kosovo in 2008. During a career that spanned four decades, Marcus deployed to Southeast Asia in 1971 and served various duties in Germany, Honduras and Panama. He was also activated to support the relief effort during the 1993 floods.

The most influential person in many peoples' lives is their parents. Peter and Marcus both admit their fathers helped mold them into the person they are today.

"The best career advice I received from my father, is the same advice he received from his father: Live to retirement," Peter recalled. "As your career as an aviator progresses, that phrase commands greater meaning. Living to retirement means that you have successfully accomplished all of your missions. It means that you did your job right."

Photo 1Photo submitted by Capt. Peter Kephart/ Capt. Peter Kephart of Plainfield (right), commander Company B, 106th Aviation in Chicago and his father Marcus Kephart of Thayer, Kan., a retired UH-1 Huey pilot in Vietnam stand next to a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter. Peter is a fourth generation Army aviator who has been with the Illinois Army National Guard since 1996. Peter's father retired from the Army in 1998 as a chief warrant officer (4). Both follow in the footsteps of family members that flew aircraft as part of their military career.

Photo 2: Photo submitted by Capt. Peter Kephart/ Retired Chief Warrant Officer (4) Marcus Kephart of Thayer, Kan., served in Vietnam in 1971. Kephart was a member of the Illinois Army National Guard's Company B, 106th Aviation in Chicago. He was a UH-1 Huey pilot who followed in his father and grandfather's wings as an Army aviator.

Photo 3: Photo submitted by Capt. Peter Kephart/ Capt. Peter Kephart of Plainfield, commander of Company B, 106th Aviation in Chicago, is a fourth generator Army aviator. His father served in Vietnam and his grandfather and great-grandfather were also members of the military aviation community.

Story by Mike Chrisman, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office

BOURBONNAIS, IL (06/09/2011)(readMedia)-- Olivet Nazarene University announces its student-athletes who recently received a Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference All-Academic award.

Moline resident Erica Engelbrecht was a senior at Olivet majoring in biology during the 2010-2011 academic year and competed on Olivet's women's tennisteam.

Moline resident Nicholas Mizeur was a junior at Olivet majoring in youth ministry during the 2010-2011 academic year and competed on Olivet's men's track and field team.

Olivet's Tiger athletes earned 48 of the 218 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference All-Academic awards this spring, the highest total of any school in the 15-team conference.

Sports honored with the spring CCAC All-Academic awards include baseball, softball, men's golf, women's tennis and both men's and women's track and field. To receive the award, a student-athlete must have a 3.25 grade point average or higher and have earned at least 30 semester or 45 trimester hours. The student-athlete must also be enrolled at the institution for a minimum of one academic year.

Olivet Nazarene University is an accredited Christian, liberal arts university offering over 120 areas of study. It is centrally located in the historic village of Bourbonnais, Illinois - just 50 miles south of Chicago's loop - with additional School of Graduate and Continuing Studies locations in Oak Brook and Rolling Meadows, Ill. and throughout Chicagoland.

ONU news is also available on the web. Go to www.olivet.edu and click on "News & Events." Licensed University photos and official logos available upon request.

By 2nd Lt. April Hawes, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs

ARLINGTON, VA. (06/09/2011)(readMedia)-- In May, Capt. Elizabeth Roxworthy traveled to Washington, D.C., with her family to receive the nationally-recognized General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award. Her detailed nomination packet showed she earned the award for her care and compassion for her Soldiers, which continued even after the award presentation.

Before they left the nation's capitol, she and her fiancé, Maj. Wyatt Bickett, both of Lake in the Hills, went to Arlington National Cemetery to visit the grave of fallen Illinois National Guardsman Staff Sgt. Kevin Grieco of Bartlett. Roxworthy never met Grieco nor was she in his chain of command. She does, however, wear the same uniform and said it was fitting to find his headstone and pay respect to him.

Along with Grieco, who was killed in action Oct. 27, 2008 while in Afghanistan with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery in Sycamore, there was another fallen Illinois National Guardsman on Roxworthy's mind: Sgt. Simone Robinson of University Park, who died March 1, 2009 after injuries sustained in Afghanistan with Company G, 634th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) in Crestwood.

"Throughout this entire process, the one person I think of daily is Sgt. Simone Robinson. Her sacrifice, and the sacrifice of all of our fallen comrades, is what really drives me to be a better person and leader for my Soldiers," said Roxworthy, who is assigned to Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 634th BSB in Sullivan. "It's hard to put into words, but her sacrifice changed my life more than anyone will ever know and this award is a tribute to Simone."

After a tour in Iraq from 2006 to 2007, Roxworthy was assigned as the rear commander of Company G, 634th and served in Crestwood while Robinson and the majority of the company deployed to Afghanistan with the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT). After Robinson was injured, Roxworthy supported her and her family until she ultimately passed away at Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas.

"What sets Capt. Roxworthy apart is that she truly cares about her Soldiers and her unit," said Col. Paul Hastings of Saint Charles and 33rd IBCT commander. "Her compassionate and involved approach to Soldier care is the foundation of who she is."

Hastings, who also won the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award in 1996, said this was evident again in November 2010 when she spent Thanksgiving Day at Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital in Chicago. She was at the bedside of Sgt. Emiliano Perez, also with Company G. Perez was hospitalized due to a non-combat related condition and passed away the next day.

Roxworthy found out she won the award March 1, which recognizes company grade commissioned and warrant officers who demonstrate duty, honor and country; the same values MacArthur stood for. Roxworthy is the first female from Illinois to earn this award.

She was first nominated for the award by the then 634th BSB Commander Lt. Col. Eric Little, of Springfield and director of property and fiscal operations for the Illinois National Guard. He said Roxworthy's dedication to Soldiers, their families and her community is above her rank as a junior officer.

"The national award shows that what we nominated her for was true," Little said. "Her dedication and desire to ensure her Soldiers at the company level were taken care of was instrumental to the company's success."

Once winners are announced, they travel to Washington, D.C., for the presentation of the award by the Chief of the Staff of the Army. Roxworthy had the opportunity to be presented the award twice, by two different Chiefs of Staff.

Roxworthy was first presented the award at the Illinois Army National Guard's Senior Leadership Conference April 30 in Chicago by, now retired, Gen. George Casey. She then was officially presented the award during a ceremony at the Pentagon by Gen. Martin Dempsey, Chief of Staff of the Army. During the presentation she also met Lt. Gen. Raymond Carpenter, acting director of the Army National Guard.

Along with Bickett, who is assigned to Headquarters, Headquarters Company of the 33rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion in Machesney Park, Roxworthy's parents and niece attended the ceremony and met Dempsey. Hastings and Lt. Col. Charles Kitson, of Springfield and current 634th BSB commander, also attended.

"It was such a wonderful experience; one that I will never forget. It was really neat to be able to bring my family there with me," Roxworthy said. "Everyone really paid tribute to recognizing us for the award; everyone from the battalion leadership all the way to the Army Chief of Staff."

Permalink: http://readme.readmedia.com/Illinois-Soldier-Nationally-Recognized-for-Care-and-Compassion/2520422

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DES MOINES, IA (06/08/2011)(readMedia)-- The Blue Ribbon Foundation will host the fifteenth annual Corndog Kickoff Benefit Auction and Fair Food Grazing Party on Saturday, July 9 in the William C. Knapp Varied Industries Building on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. to commence the celebration of 100 years of the butter cow. "There's Nothing Butter" than a night filled with exciting auction packages, entertainment and all of your favorite Fair foods, while helping to raise funds to restore the Iowa State Fairgrounds!

The live and silent auctions are filled with enticing packages. Bid on tickets to the Shrine Circus on the Iowa State Fairgrounds, complete with special seating, a private tour, and a role in the clowns' skit. Enjoy all things butter with an original butter cow cartoon by Brian Duffy and also a hand in sculpting the tail of the 100th anniversary butter cow. Or, go backstage to meet Jason Aldean, Chris Young and Thompson Square, after you attend their nearly sold-out concert in great seats!

The Corndog Kickoff has been a pre-fair tradition since it began in 1997. First held in Pioneer Hall, 480 people were in attendance. Since then, the event has grown to raise over $2.1 million for the restoration and preservation of the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The 2010 event brought in a crowd of 1,200 and raised more than $227,000 in one night!

"Each year, the Corndog Kickoff gets bigger and better thanks to all of the Fair-lovers who continue to support the event," said John Putney, executive director of the Blue Ribbon Foundation. "As our largest fundraiser, the Kickoff is an essential part of our mission to preserve and improve the Iowa State Fairgrounds."

Take advantage of the advance ticket price by ordering now. All inclusive Corndog Kickoff tickets are $75 each until June 30. After that date, tickets will be $100. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Blue Ribbon Foundation at (800) 450-3732, online at www.blueribbonfoundation.org or at the door the night of the event.

The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Since its inception in 1993, the Foundation has generated more than $80 million for renovations and improvements to the Iowa State Fairgrounds. For more information on the Corndog Kickoff, please contact the Foundation at(800) 450-3732 or bluerf@blueribbonfoundation.org.

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News from Graceland University

For more information contact: Randy Meline, 641.784.5213

Area Students Named to Graceland Unviersity's Honor Lists

LAMONI, IA (06/07/2011)(readMedia)-- The honor roll lists for Graceland University's Fall 2010 term have been announced. Students named to the President's list earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average. Students on the Honors list earned a GPA between 3.65 and 3.99. Those on the Dean's list earned a GPA between 3.25 and 3.64.

Roxanne Garneau of Davenport, IA named to Graceland University's President's List.

Thomas Ratkiewicz of Moline, IL named to Graceland University's Dean's List.

Graceland University was established in 1895 as a non-sectarian liberal arts institution of higher learning. It operates campuses in Lamoni, Iowa and Independence, Missouri, and offers degree completion programs at three other sites - the Kirkwood Community College campus in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; the Indian Hills Community College campus in Centerville, Iowa; and the North Central Missouri College campus in Trenton, Missouri.

Students from more than 40 states and 40 nations choose from over 50 academic programs at Graceland. For information about attending GU, please view our website: www.graceland.edu, and follow the links to Admissions and Financial Aid, call 866-GRACELAND (866.472.2352), or write to Graceland University, Admissions Office, 1 University Place, Lamoni, IA 50140.

DAYTON, TN (06/07/2011)(readMedia)-- Lia Johnson of Davenport, IA, is among 181 students named to the Bryan College Dean's List for the spring 2011 semester.

Students earn Dean's List recognition by recording a grade average in the top 25 percent of grades by students in the traditional undergraduate program for that semester.

Lia, daughter of Howard and Susan Johnson of Davenport, was recognized for outstanding academic performance.

Bryan is a Christian liberal arts college offering bachelor's degrees in 18 areas and Master's degrees in Business Administration and Christian Studies. The college has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report for 16 consecutive years as being among the Top Tier of Southern liberal arts colleges.

On the web: http://readabout.me/achievements/Lia-Johnson-of-Davenport-named-to-Bryan-College-Dean-s-List/2496235.

Rock Island Resident, Julie Eagle Named to Worcester Polytechnic Institute's Spring 2011 Dean's List.  Worcester Polytechnic is located in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Rachael Wilkinson of Bettendorf, Iowa, has been named to Chatham University's Dean's List for the 2011 spring term. She graduated from Chatham on May 22 at the University's Commencement ceremony, held at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall, Oakland, Pa.

Eric J. Smith of Moline completed requirements for a degree from Wayland Baptist University's Altus, Okla. campus recently.  Smith earned a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Occupational Education from Wayland.

ROCK ISLAND, IL (05/27/2011)(readMedia)-- Five hundred and eighty students of the class of '11 graduated from Augustana College with their Bachelor of Arts degree on May 22, 2011. Augustana's 151st commencement convocation was held at the iwireless Center in Moline, Ill.

From your area this includes:

Debra Butler from Bettendorf , IA. Butler majored in psychology.

Lauren Carver from Bettendorf , IA. Carver majored in biology.

Rayna Narvaez from Bettendorf , IA. Narvaez majored in psychology and Spanish.

Emily Voigt from Bettendorf , IA. Voigt majored in business marketing.

Katherine Voigt from Bettendorf , IA. Voigt majored in biology.

Anna Smith from Davenport , IA. Smith majored in biology and psychology.

Regina Jarrell from Davenport , IA. Jarrell majored in art.

Christopher Wadsager from Davenport , IA. Wadsager majored in biochemistry.

Audrey Waner from Davenport , IA. Waner majored in art.

Anita Cook from Davenport , IA. Cook majored in art.

Kelsey Van Dyke from Davenport , IA. Van Dyke majored in music education instrumental.

Samuel Anderson from Rock Island , IL. Anderson majored in math and computer science.

Brianna Dyer from Rock Island , IL. Dyer majored in teaching English.

Neil Friberg from Rock Island , IL. Friberg majored in English.

Travis Greenlee from Rock Island , IL. Greenlee majored in speech communication.

Jacob McDowell from Rock Island , IL. McDowell majored in psychology and English.

Hee Do Park from Rock Island , IL. Park majored in Asian studies and economics.

John Patton from Rock Island , IL. Patton majored in English.

James Sales from Rock Island , IL. Sales majored in biology.

Andrew Shaffer from Rock Island , IL. Shaffer majored in honors history.

Courtney Vandewiele from Rock Island , IL. Vandewiele majored in political science and accounting.

Robert Fite from Coal Valley , IL. Fite majored in business management.

Rebekka Laverenz from Coal Valley , IL. Laverenz majored in biology.

Michael Seevers from Cordova , IL. Seevers majored in geography.

Emma Burgess from East Moline , IL. Burgess majored in psychology.

Matthew Kustes from East Moline , IL. Kustes majored in business management information systems.

Nicole Molina from East Moline , IL. Molina majored in international business.

Kayla Papish from East Moline , IL. Papish majored in teaching math and math.

Lauren White from East Moline , IL. White majored in accounting.

Jeremy Smith from Milan , IL. Smith majored in political science.

Brian Stone from Milan , IL. Stone majored in teaching math and math.

Felipe Aguilar from Moline , IL. Aguilar majored in business management.

Kellene Anthony from Moline , IL. Anthony majored in psychology and sociology with social welfare.

Steven Ash from Moline , IL. Ash majored in physics.

James Hallene from Moline , IL. Hallene majored in business finance.

Alyssa Harmon from Moline , IL. Harmon majored in political science.

Allison Hughes from Moline , IL. Hughes majored in accounting and business marketing.

Nicole Johnson from Moline , IL. Johnson majored in teaching English.

Jasmin Landeros from Moline , IL. Landeros majored in elementary education.

Courtney Mitten from Moline , IL. Mitten majored in psychology.

Anna Press from Moline , IL. Press majored in biology and pre-medicine.

Michael Reeves from Moline , IL. Reeves majored in accounting.

Meghan Showers from Moline , IL. Showers majored in Asian studies and political science.

Mark Stumphy from Moline , IL. Stumphy majored in biology.

Audrey Taylor from Moline , IL. Taylor majored in teaching biology and biology.

Jane Wiborg from Moline , IL. Wiborg majored in art history.

Nicholas Armstrong from Orion , IL. Armstrong majored in psychology.

Adam Bohland from Orion , IL. Bohland majored in psychology.

Ryan Hancock from Orion , IL. Hancock majored in geography.

Deanna Zwicker from Orion , IL. Zwicker majored in business finance and economics.

Jonathan Wallace from Port Byron , IL. Wallace majored in political science.

Megan Lecander from Sherrard , IL. Lecander majored in business management.

Bonnie Barlow from Silvis , IL. Barlow majored in psychology.

Randi Johnson from Silvis , IL. Johnson majored in communication science and disorders.

Janelle VanWatermeulen from Silvis , IL. VanWatermeulen majored in business marketing.

About Augustana: Founded in 1860 and situated on a 115-acre campus near the Mississippi River, Augustana College is a private, liberal arts institution affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The college enrolls nearly 2,500 students from diverse geographic, social, ethnic and religious backgrounds and offers more than 60 majors and areas of study. Augustana employs 226 faculty and has a student-faculty ratio of 11:1. Augustana continues to do what it has always done: challenge and prepare students for lives of leadership and service in our complex, ever-changing world.

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