CHICAGO, IL (08/09/2011)(readMedia)-- Kaplan University, a leader in higher education innovation, celebrated the graduation of its summer 2011 class during a graduation ceremony on Aug. 6 at the Arie Crown Theater in Chicago. During her address, former Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman spoke to the online graduates about the importance of education to workforce development and global competitiveness.

She noted that those with degrees fare better in a tough labor market, citing the U.S. Labor Department's most recent 9.1 percent unemployment rate.

"What's not reported in the news is that the unemployment rate for those with college degrees is four percent. This number confirms what we have always known," Secretary Herman said during the ceremony. "What you know will directly influence how far you go and education matters more than ever. It is the great equalizer."

The following local students were awarded degrees:

Linda Gorsch of Blairstown, IA was awarded a Associate of Applied Science degree in Information Technology.

Christina Rhodes of North English, IA was awarded a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice.

Jamecia Harris of Bettendorf, IA was awarded a Master's degree in Business Administration.

Lisa Zerbonia of Bettendorf, IA was awarded a Master of Science degree in Higher Education.

Christene Fahrenkrug of McCausland, IA was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Management.

Fred Monfeli of Davenport, IA was awarded a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration.

Kelly Scott of Davenport, IA was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Legal Studies.

Angela Schumacher of Davenport, IA was awarded a Master's degree in Business Administration.

Brian Williams of Davenport, IA was awarded a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration.

Eric Heiting of Davenport, IA was awarded a Master of Arts degree in Teacher Education.

Essie Taylor of Davenport, IA was awarded a Master of Arts degree in Teacher Education.

Shanesha Hall of Davenport, IA was awarded a Associate of Applied Science degree in Health Sciences.

Emily Jackson of Rock Island, IL was awarded a Master of Science degree in Nursing.

The Kaplan University's summer 2011 class included more than 7,200 graduates who earned associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees, all online. More than 1,000 of them traveled from around the country to attend the ceremony, meeting face-to-face for the first time. Others watched from home via a live webcast. Since 2001, Kaplan University has graduated nearly 40,000 students who have used their education to advance professionally and meet personal goals.

About Kaplan University

Kaplan University offers a different school of thought for higher education. It strives to help adult students unlock their talent by providing a practical, student-centered education that prepares them for careers in some of the fastest-growing industries. The University, which has its main campus in Davenport, Iowa, and its headquarters in Chicago, is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (www.ncahlc.org) and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Kaplan University serves more than 61,000 online and campus-based students. The University has 11 campuses in Iowa, Nebraska, Maryland and Maine, and Kaplan University Learning Centers in Maryland, Wisconsin, Indiana, Missouri and Florida.

Kaplan University is part of Kaplan Higher Education, which serves more than 92,000 students online and through more than 70 campus-based schools across the United States. Kaplan Higher Education schools offer a spectrum of academic opportunities, from certificates and diplomas to graduate and professional degrees, including a juris doctor degree. Kaplan Higher Education is part of Kaplan, Inc., a leading international provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Kaplan, Inc. is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO), and its largest division. For more information about Kaplan University, visit http://www.kaplanuniversity.edu.

DES MOINES, IA (08/08/2011)(readMedia)-- The Patty and Jim Cownie Cultural Center will be bursting with fine art at the 2011 Iowa State Fair. Home to Iowa's largest art show, the Cultural Center features sand sculptures, art activities, demonstrations and much more. As the Fair celebrates 100 years of the Butter Cow, art throughout the Cultural Center will pay tribute to Iowa's buttery icon August 11-21.

Sandscapes, a team of national, international and world champion sand sculptors, returns to the Cultural Center atrium to construct a Butter Cow-themed masterpiece. Watch the progress unfold as the team works throughout the Fair to complete the sculpture, showcasing their talents from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the atrium each day.

Stop by to see the outstanding art entered in this year's Fair. The state's largest art show will showcase exhibits in the areas of fine arts, photography, creative arts, wood projects and doll house and miniature room displays. Several special Butter Cow categories promise to provide creative commemorations of the world-renowned buttery bovine.

Fairgoers can even let their creativity loose and try their hands at making art. Make and Take projects available in the Cultural Center include name bracelets, candles and blown glass ornaments. Youngsters will also have a special chance to make a masterpiece at Art Attack. Occurring daily from 1-5 p.m. in the courtyard, Art Attack features special arts and crafts activities for kids to make and then take home.

Live demonstrations and working exhibits also offer Fairgoers the opportunity to see art in action, with artists demonstrating such art forms as wood carving, cardboard art, charcoal portraits and many more.

For a complete schedule of activities in the Cultural Center, visit iowastatefair.org.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2011 Iowa State Fair, celebrating 100 years of the Butter Cow August 11-21. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visitwww.iowastatefair.org.

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SAVANNAH, GA. (08/04/2011)(readMedia)-- Grace Allison of Walcott, IA (52773), recently graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Allison earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Sequential Art.

SCAD: The University for Creative Careers

The Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution conferring bachelor's and master's degrees to prepare talented students for professional careers. As the most comprehensive art and design university in the world, SCAD offers more than 40 majors and more than 50 minors at distinctive locations in Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia; in Hong Kong; in Lacoste, France; and online through SCAD eLearning.

SCAD has more than 20,000 alumni and offers an exceptional education and unparalleled career preparation. The diverse student body, consisting of more than 10,000 students, comes from all 50 United States and nearly 100 countries worldwide. Each student is nurtured and motivated by a faculty of more than 700 professors with extraordinary academic credentials and valuable professional experience. These professors emphasize learning through individual attention in an inspiring university environment. SCAD's innovative curriculum is enhanced by advanced, professional-level technology, equipment and learning resources and has garnered acclaim from respected organizations and publications, including 3D World, American Institute of Architects, BusinessWeek, DesignIntelligence, U.S. News & World Report and the Los Angeles Times. For more information, visit scad.edu.

On the web: http://readabout.me/achievements/Grace-Allison-of-Walcott-Graduates-from-the-Savannah-College-of-Art-and-Design/2910822.

LAMONI, IA (08/02/2011)(readMedia)-- As we prepare to welcome the Fall 2011 class at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa, we celebrate our graduates for the 2010-11 academic year. A total of 709 graduates this year represented 38 majors. There were 324 Master's degrees and 400 Bachelor's degrees conferred. The graduates hailed from 43 states and 15 countries.

Five-term, U.S. Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa presented the commencement address. Groundbreaking for Graceland's $13.8 million expansion and renovation of regional performing arts center, the Shaw Center, also took place commencement weekend. Forty-eight new student apartments and a new fitness center are also being built this year on the Lamoni campus for a total of $20 million in construction.

Graduates from your area include :

Rita Manwiller of Davenport, IA

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 40 states and 35 nations choose from 50 academic majors and 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, or write to Graceland University, Admissions Office, 1 University Place, Lamoni, IA 50140. At Graceland University, our passion is your success!

ROCKFORD, IL (08/02/2011)(readMedia)-- The following students attending Rockford College were named to the Dean's List for the spring 2011 semester, earning at least a 3.5 GPA with no grades below "C":

Kayla Norris, of East Moline, IL

Gregory Wilken, of East Moline, IL

Rockford College's Spring 2011 Dean's list includes those students who meet all requirements at the time the list is compiled. Students who have incomplete coursework as of the date the list is compiled would not be included in the current list. This list should not be considered an official confirmation of award. Official confirmation will be recorded on students' transcripts.

Rockford College is a four-year, co-educational institution founded in 1847 offering more than 70 majors, minors and concentrations in traditional liberal arts and professional fields. In addition, the college offers a Return-to-College accelerated program for a B.S. in Management Studies. Through its Graduate Studies department, degrees are extended to include the Master of Arts in Business Administration and Master of Arts in Teaching. Rockford College is home to one of only 11 Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) chapters in Illinois, the most prestigious honor society in the United States. Named by The Princeton Review as a Best Midwestern College and one of only 81 colleges in the nation as a "College with a Conscience," Rockford College currently serves approximately 1,300 full-and part-time students.

DES MOINES, IA (08/02/2011)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald announced today that a stop at the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt booth during the 2011 Iowa State Fair may be worthwhile, as fair goers could find their names among the hundreds of thousands of individuals with unclaimed property. "The Iowa State Fair is one of the most fun and successful ways we have to reach people who may have money in the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt," Fitzgerald stated.

"Computers will be set up for people to search for their names or someone they know at the state fair," Fitzgerald said. "Treasure Hunt staff members will be on hand to help treasure hunters print claim forms and answer questions on the spot. Over the years, we have had tremendous success in reuniting people with their lost treasures. Last year, over 7,500 people were successful in finding their name or that of someone they know."

The Great Iowa Treasure Hunt program has returned over $134 million in unclaimed property since Fitzgerald created it in 1983. Unclaimed property refers to money and other assets held by financial institutions or companies that have lost contact with the property's owner for a specific period of time. State law requires these institutions and companies to annually report and deliver unclaimed property to the State Treasurer's Office. The assets are then held until the owner or heir of the property is found. Common forms of unclaimed property include savings or checking accounts, stocks, uncashed checks, life insurance policies, utility security deposits, and safe deposit box contents.

Visit the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt booth at the Iowa State Fair, August 11 - 21, in the Varied Industries Building. The building will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information about the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt, please visit www.greatiowatreasurehunt.com. Treasure seekers may also write to State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald, Great Iowa Treasure Hunt, Lucas State Office Building, Des Moines, IA 50319 or correspond by email tofoundit@iowa.gov.

MILAN, IL (08/02/2011)(readMedia)-- Approximately 440 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery Regiment in Milan will be recognized Aug. 6 and 7 by the National Guard Bureau Freedom Salute Campaign for their sacrifice and service while they deployed to Sinai, Egypt. Three separate ceremonies will take place to honor the Soldiers with the battalion.

The Soldiers mobilized in May 2010 as part of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO), and returned home to their families May 14, 2011. The international peacekeeping force oversees the terms of the 1979 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.

"Our Soldiers did an outstanding job accomplishing their mission," said Lt. Col. Maurice Rochelle of Flossmoor, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery commander. "There were no major accidents, incidents or casualties during our deployment and we succeeded in every facet of our mission. I am proud of the work these Soldiers have done representing Illinois and their families should be proud of them as well."

The Milan-based 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery Regiment includes the Forward Support Company, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery in Milan; Headquarters, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery in Milan; Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery in Milan; Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery in Macomb and Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 123rd Field Artillery in Galesburg.

While the mobilization included units from northwest Illinois, Soldiers are from all areas of Illinois.

The Freedom Salute Campaign is one of the largest Army National Guard recognition endeavors in history. It is designed to publicly acknowledge Army National Guard Soldiers and those who supported them while deployed.

Date Unit Location Time Approx. # of Soldiers

Aug. 6 Battery B Macomb Armory, 135 W. Grant St.; Macomb 10 a.m. 90

Aug. 6 Battery C Galesburg Armory, 362 N. Linwood Road; Galesburg 2 p.m. 90

Aug. 7 Headquarters, Battery A, Forward Support Company Augustana College, 3703 7th Ave.; Rock Island (Centennial Hall) 10 a.m. 250

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DES MOINES, IA (08/01/2011)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation and Cookies Food Products are pleased to announce the recipients of the Iowan of the Day award for the 2011 Iowa State Fair.

Each Iowan of the Day receives VIP treatment on their respective day! Starting with recognition on the Anne & Bill Riley Stage at 2:30; use of the Iowan of the Day golf cart; gate admission and grandstand tickets; VIP parking; $200 cash; and accommodations at the Downtown Des Moines Marriott.

The Blue Ribbon Foundation began the Iowan of the Day award in 1997 to honor those Iowans who have truly made a difference in their communities. This year, the judges reviewed hundreds of nominations selecting those that show examples of integrity, Iowa pride, hard work and dedication.

 

"We are pleased to recognize these outstanding individuals as Iowans of the Day," said John Putney, Executive Director of the Blue Ribbon Foundation. "Their volunteerism, dedication and service to their community and the state of Iowa makes each one deserving of this honor."

The 2011 Iowan of the Day recipients are:

Louise Unkrich of Swedesburg

Robert Smith of Sidney

Pauline Flamme of Gladbrook

Julie Beitelspacher of LeMars

John Rains of Urbandale

Ruby Bentley of Macedonia

Milton Menefee of Denver

Mickey Thomas of Osceola

Bill Forbes of Correctionville

Leo Chisholm of Osage

The Blue Ribbon Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Since 1993, the Foundation has generated more than $80 million for renovations and improvements to the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

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LAWRENCE, KS (07/29/2011)(readMedia)-- More than 4,400 undergraduate students at the University of Kansas earned honor roll distinction for the spring 2011 semester.

KU's honor roll comprises undergraduates who meet requirements in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and in the schools of allied health; architecture, design and planning; business; education; engineering; journalism; music; nursing; pharmacy; and social welfare.

The spring 2011 honor roll students are listed by name, level (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior), school or college, parents' or guardians' names and high school.

  • Ashley J Sevigny, a senior from Davenport, Iowa was named to the honor roll in the School of Education. She is the daughter of Ken and Linda Sevigny from Davenport, Iowa She is a graduate of Bettendorf High School in Bettendorf, Iowa
  • Dustin W Ramsey, a senior from Rock Island, Ill. was named to the honor roll in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He is the son of Craig and Patricia Ramsey from Rock Island, Ill. He is a graduate of Moline senior High School in Moline, Ill.

Criteria for honor roll vary among the university's academic units and are available online http://www2.ku.edu/~distinction/cgi-bin/regulations16

DES MOINES, IA (07/28/2011)(readMedia)-- Celebrating five years at the Iowa State Fair, the Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center continues to educate and delight Fairgoers of all ages. "Nothing Compares" to this hub of agricultural activity that will feature young farm animals and fresh educational programming August 11-21.

The state-of-the-art agricultural education exhibit features live births of various species including cattle, swine, goats and sheep, allowing young and old alike to learn about the animal birthing process. Fairgoers can also catch a glimpse of hatching chicks, ducks, ostriches and turkeys.

Animal lovers won't want to miss kid-friendly educational presentations on various agricultural topics, including honey bees, farm animal safety, llamas and making butter. Other favorites include such contests as Milk Chug-A-Lug, Egg Dance, and Minute to Win It - Farm Edition.

Also taking the stage, the Thank a Farmer Magic Show will enchant kids of all ages. This magical extravaganza educates kids about agriculture through storytelling, juggling and music. Shows are daily at 10 a.m., noon, 2 & 4 p.m.

Fairgoers can learn about life on the farm by checking out The Way We Live Award display and award ceremonies. The award honors six Iowa farm families for their love of the land and the product they produce.

Visit iowastatefair.org for a complete schedule of events at the Animal Learning Center.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2011 Iowa State Fair, celebrating 100 years of the Butter Cow August 11-21. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visitiowastatefair.org.

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