DES MOINES, IA (01/04/2011)(readMedia)-- The following local residents and members of the Drake University Football Team will participate in a Lift-a-thon to raise funds for the team's May 2011 trip to Tanzania:

Stephen Flynn of Bettendorf, IA; Flynn, a senior, serves as a offensive lineman.

Evan Lawrence of Moline, IL; Lawrence, a junior, serves as a offensive lineman.

The trip centers on the Global Kilimanjaro Bowl, the first American collegiate football game ever held in Africa, but it has service, academic and endurance components in addition to the game.

The game will feature the Drake Bulldogs playing the CONADEIP All-Stars from Mexico in Moshi, Tanzania, under the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, on May 21, 2011.

The price tag for the Tanzania trip is $4,000 per player. During the Lift-a-thon, the student-athletes will raise barbells to raise funds, hoisting weights representing every dollar pledged by friends, family, fans and business and community sponsors toward the cost of the trip.

"This trip will be a once-in-a-lifetime, life-changing experience," said defensive tackle Paddy O'Connell, a junior painting and entrepreneurial management double major from Orland Park, Ill. "Not only do we get to play the sport that we love in Africa, but we'll be able to give back to kids who don't have a lot."

The entire team of approximately 90 players will participate in the Lift-a-thon, with the hope of raising $300,000. More information on donations, including opportunities for businesses and the benefits of sponsorship, can be found online at http://www.drake.edu/globalbowl/.

After the historic Global Kilimanjaro Bowl on May 21, the Drake and Mexican teams will spend the final six days of the trip climbing to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest point on the continent of Africa at more than 19,000 feet.

The teams will not only compete on the football field, but also work together on numerous community service projects in and around the city of Moshi. These include conducting youth football clinics and building a much-needed addition at the Kitaa Hope Orphanage, which provides a home for children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. The projects are being planned and coordinated by the Iowa Resource for International Service. More information about the Drake projects is available at http://www.iris-center.org/Volunteer_Projects.html.

"This is an experience of a lifetime for our young men," Drake Head Football Coach Chris Creighton said. "This is more than just football -- this is about seeing our world, experiencing our world and, most importantly, giving back to our world."

Drake, a private, independent university in Des Moines, Iowa, is also developing a course so students can learn about Tanzania and work toward earning academic credit in conjunction with the trip.

Drake Athletic Director Sandy Hatfield Clubb said the trip symbolizes a perfect alliance between Drake's mission and values.

"The athletics department strives to provide opportunities that will facilitate leadership learning and prepare student-athletes to be responsible global citizens and champions of positive change," Hatfield Clubb said. "This trip is a perfect coming together of those goals."

Drake Football Lift-a-thon

What: Drake University football players will lift weights to raise funding for their May trip to Tanzania. The team will participate in the first American collegiate football game ever held in Africa, perform community service in and around the city of Moshi and summit Mount Kilimanjaro.

When: 3 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 16

Where: Weight room, Drake Knapp Center, 2525 Forest Ave., Des Moines, Iowa

General Info: drakefootball.blogspot.com

Donation Info: drake.edu/globalbowl/

PEORIA, IL (12/21/2010)(readMedia)-- Members of the Peoria-based Illinois Air National Guard's 182nd Airlift Wing are scheduled to return home Dec. 22 after serving in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Just over 35 members of the 182nd Civil Engineering Squadron were activated in May and deployed to Kuwait where they performed base sustainment and engineering support. The Airmen performed duties in civil engineering including project design and management, water, electrical, heating and air conditioning, pavements, generator maintenance and carpentry. Together the group maintained 441 facilities and 3,750 acres, executing over 40 construction projects totaling more than $2.7 million.

After the return of the Civil Engineering Squadron, the 182nd Airlift Wing will still have approximately 50 Airmen deployed in support of various operations overseas. The remaining Airmen specialize in small air terminal operations, combat communications and air support operations.

The Airmen are expected to return at approximately 11:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 22nd, to the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria Ill. Media is welcome to attend the return and should contact Maj. Steve Thomas at (309) 633-5534 to be added to the entrance list and to be updated on any changes in the arrival time.

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ROCK ISLAND, IL (12/15/2010)(readMedia)-- 903 students have been named to the Dean's List at Augustana College for the 2010-11 fall term. Students who have earned this academic honor have maintained a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a four-point scale for courses taken during the term.

Martha Ade from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Ade is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in music and English.

Sheila Ahuja from Rock Island, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Ahuja is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Katie Alms from Rock Island, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Alms is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in English and music.

Amber Anderson from Port Byron, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Anderson is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in accounting and math.

Samuel Anderson from Rock Island, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Anderson is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in math and computer science.

Anthony Ash from Davenport, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Ash is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in accounting and business advising.

Erica Aten from Coal Valley, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Aten is a junior at Augustana and is majoring in psychology.

Angela Bahls from Rock Island, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Bahls is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in communication science & disorders and psychology.

Hannah Boyce from Rock Island, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Boyce is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in psychology and history.

Austin Boyle from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Boyle is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in business advising.

Jasmine Brooks from Davenport, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Brooks is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in political science.

Allison Brown from Milan, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Brown is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Courtney Brown from Port Byron, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Brown is a junior at Augustana and is majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Ryan Brummet from Port Byron, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Brummet is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in math.

Anthony Chesser from Rock Island, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Chesser is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in biology.

Tyler Cowherd from Bettendorf, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Cowherd is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Adelle DeVolder from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. DeVolder is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in business finance.

Grace Drenth from Davenport, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Drenth is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in psychology.

Brianna Dyer from Rock Island, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Dyer is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in teaching English.

Owen Engstrom from Davenport, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Engstrom is a junior at Augustana and is majoring in political science and multimedia journalism mass communication.

Trevor Fennelly from Davenport, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Fennelly is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Kayla Ferguson from Orion, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Ferguson is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Alyssa Harmon from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Harmon is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in political science.

Thomas Harris from Davenport, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Harris is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in biochemistry.

Taelar Hillyer from Bettendorf, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Hillyer is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Darshan Hullon from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Hullon is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Mohammed Hussain from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Hussain is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in biology, pre-medicine and religion.

Gaetano Iaccarino from Davenport, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Iaccarino is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in music and anthropology.

Michael Kautz from East Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Kautz is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in accounting.

Clare Kilbride from Rock Island, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Kilbride is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in communication science & disorders.

Lauren Kirik from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Kirik is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Kylie Koger from Davenport, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Koger is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Manisha Kumar from Davenport, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Kumar is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in pre-medicine and biology.

Matthew Kustes from East Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Kustes is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in business administration management information systems.

Mary Lambrecht from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Lambrecht is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in sociology and psychology.

Anna Letendre from Rock Island, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Letendre is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in business advising.

Madison Logan from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Logan is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Kelsey Lovaas from Davenport, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Lovaas is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Eryn Maccabee from East Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Maccabee is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Amy Malmstead from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Malmstead is a junior at Augustana and is majoring in business marketing.

Crystina Mayfield from Coal Valley, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Mayfield is a junior at Augustana and is majoring in French.

Courtney Mitten from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Mitten is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in psychology.

Rayna Narvaez from Bettendorf, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Narvaez is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in psychology and Spanish.

Jenna Nelson from Orion, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Nelson is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Leart Neziroski from East Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Neziroski is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in pre-medicine and biology.

Justine Nuguid from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Nuguid is a junior at Augustana and is majoring in pre-medicine and biology.

Jacob O'Rourke from Davenport, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. O'Rourke is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in pre-medicine, business advising and accounting.

Kayla Papish from East Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Papish is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in teaching math and math.

Aubree Payne from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Payne is a junior at Augustana and is majoring in psychology.

Douglas Peters from Port Byron, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Peters is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in neuroscience.

Owen Pomije from Rock Island, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Pomije is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Sarah Potter from Rock Island, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Potter is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in psychology.

Anna Press from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Press is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Katherine Rea from Rock Island, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Rea is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Michael Reeves from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Reeves is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in accounting.

Lauren Reid from Sherrard, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Reid is a junior at Augustana and is majoring in business marketing.

Alan Sabat from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Sabat is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

James Sales from Rock Island, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Sales is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in biology.

Michael Seevers from Cordova, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Seevers is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in geography.

Britta Shold from Rock Island, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Shold is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in communication science & disorders.

Kalin Showers from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Showers is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in political science.

Meghan Showers from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Showers is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in Asian studies and political science.

Moselle Singh from Le Claire, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Singh is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in anthropology.

Anna Smith from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Smith is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in biology and psychology.

Jonathan Smith from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Smith is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Amber Soike from East Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Soike is a junior at Augustana and is majoring in elementary education.

Cristina Stan from Davenport, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Stan is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

James Stratton from Sherrard, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Stratton is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Mark Stumphy from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Stumphy is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in biology.

Audrey Taylor from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Taylor is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in teaching biology and biology.

Astrid Tello-Rodriguez from Milan, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Tello-Rodriguez is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in biology and psychology.

Theodore Teros from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Teros is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in philosophy.

Emma Thompson from Port Byron, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Thompson is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Anna Tunnicliff from Bettendorf, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Tunnicliff is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in history.

Anne VanSpeybroeck from Rock Island, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. VanSpeybroeck is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Janelle VanWatermeulen from Silvis, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. VanWatermeulen is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in business marketing.

Courtney Vandewiele from Rock Island, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Vandewiele is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in political science and accounting.

Chelsea Vickerman from Silvis, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Vickerman is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in business advising.

Emily Voigt from Bettendorf, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Voigt is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in business marketing.

Katherine Voigt from Bettendorf, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Voigt is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in biology.

Audrey Waner from Davenport, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Waner is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in art.

Peter Wessels from Bettendorf, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Wessels is a junior at Augustana and is majoring in business advising and accounting.

James Wiebler from Davenport, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Wiebler is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Peter Wiese from Davenport, IA was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Wiese is a sophomore at Augustana and is majoring in neuroscience and math.

Ian Williams from Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Williams is a junior at Augustana and is majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Laurel Williams from Milan, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Williams is a junior at Augustana and is majoring in communication science & disorders and English.

Kelsey Winter from East Moline, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Winter is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

Jennifer Youngs from Taylor Ridge, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Youngs is a junior at Augustana and is majoring in psychology and political science.

Alyssa Zwicker from Orion, IL was among the students named to the fall term Dean's List. Zwicker is a first year at Augustana and is majoring in liberal studies.

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 2,500 students from diverse geographic, social, ethnic and religious backgrounds and offers more than 70 majors and related areas of study. Augustana employs 287 faculty members 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.

National Guard Remember the Past, While Working on the Future

SPRINGFIELD, IL (12/09/2010)(readMedia)-- On Dec. 7, 1941 the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked naval base Pearl Harbor without warning. Four battleships, three cruisers, three destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship, a minelayer and 188 airplanes were destroyed or damaged.

More than 2,400 servicemembers were killed and more than 1,200 were wounded. One-hundred and eighteen of the fallen were from Illinois; seven were from Chicago.

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley held a wreath-laying ceremony in recognition of the 69th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack Dec. 7 at Navy Pier in Chicago to honor the fallen and surviving servicemembers of the historical event.

"War is an unpleasant subject, but we must continue to talk about it. Our children need to learn that the freedom they enjoy every day - and often take for granted - was achieved through great sacrifice, and at a heavy price," said Daley. "And for that, we will always support our troops and continue to pray for peace."

Guests at the event included nine Pearl Harbor survivors and numerous military veterans groups. Col. Thomas Purple of Chicago, deputy commander of the 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, and Command Sgt. Maj. Howard Robinson of Olympia Fields, Illinois Army National Guard Land Component Command Sergeant Major were both in attendance to represent the Illinois National Guard.

"Our men and women in uniform have helped to create and preserve the American way of life," Daley said. "They serve today with the same courage and dedication to duty that has distinguished United States veterans for more than 200 years."

Sixty-nine years after the attack on Pearl Harbor, U.S. and Japan military agencies are working together to enhance interoperability.

The 1st Battalion, 138th Infantry Regiment based in Kansas City, Mo., teamed with the 26th Infantry Regiment, Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force for Orient Shield 11 this past November in Northern Japan.

The focus of the exercise was to develop tactical, bi-lateral operations and war-fighting skills between the U.S. and Japanese militaries.

In 1960, the U.S. and Japan signed the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security, a binding agreement for both countries to support each other from enemy attack.

"Exercises like this encourage enduring professional mutual engagements and good will between the U.S. and Japan as we strengthen our relationship," said Maj. Gen. Michael Harrison, commander, United States Army Japan. "All participating U.S. Army units benefit in maintaining a bi-lateral partnership. Operations like Orient Shield serve as an opportunity to integrate and train all branches of the U.S. military, while building rapport between the U.S. and our allies."