LINCOLN, NE (02/19/2014)(readMedia)-- The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has announced its fall semester 2014 Deans' List for its eight colleges and the Honor Roll for undeclared students in the Explore Center.

Area students who qualified included:

Bettendorf: Nathaniel Robert Sullivan, senior, College of Fine and Performing Arts, music major.

Muscatine: Jenna Verona Krueger, senior, College of Architecture, architecture major.

Rock Island: Joseph Jacquin Philibert, freshman, College of Engineering, chemical engineering major.

Qualification for the Dean's List varies among the eight undergraduate colleges and the Honor Roll for undeclared students in Explore Center and pre-professional programs. Listed below are the minimum grade-point averages on a 4-point scale (4.0 equals A) for each entity and the name of its respective dean or director. All qualifying grade-point averages are based on a minimum of 12 or more graded semester hours. Students can be on the Dean's List for more than one college.

College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, 3.75; Dean Steven F. Waller.

College of Architecture, top 10 percent of the students in the college; Interim Dean Kim Wilson.

College of Arts and Sciences, 3.7; Interim Dean Steve Goddard.

College of Business Administration, 3.6; Dean Donde Plowman.

College of Education and Human Sciences, 3.75; Dean Marjorie Kostelnik.

College of Engineering, 3.5; Dean Timothy Wei.

College of Journalism and Mass Communications, 3.7; Interim Dean James O'Hanlon.

Explore Center, 3.6; Director of Undergraduate Education Nancy Mitchell.

Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts, 3.7; Dean Charles O'Connor.

A full list of Deans' List/Honor Roll students can be found at http://go.unl.edu/5s0f.

MOUNT VERNON, IA (02/19/2014)(readMedia)-- Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, named 280 students to the Dean's List for the fall semester. The following students in your area were named to the list.

Stephanie Campbell of Bettendorf earned Honors.

Aaron Campbell of West Liberty earned Honors.

Rachel Henning of De Witt earned Honors.

Aubrey Kohl of Bettendorf earned Honors.

A grade point average of at least 3.6 on a 4.0 scale is required for this designation. "Highest honors" are granted to students with 4.0 averages; "high honors" are awarded to students with 3.8 to 3.99 averages; and "honors" include grade point averages of 3.6 to 3.79.

One of the 40 "Colleges That Change Lives," Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, is a national liberal arts college with a distinctive One Course At A Time curriculum. The One Course schedule provides students the chance to dive into their studies, focus more intensely on the disciplines of their choice, and learn authentically with the unique freedom to shed the confines of the traditional classroom to study off-campus, pursue research, or accept an internship-all without missing out on other classes.

Cornell has been recognized by numerous publications for the value its education offers and for academic excellence. This year it was named one of the 20 "Best Buys" in higher education by the "Fiske Guide to Colleges," and one of the 100 best values in liberal arts education by Kiplinger's. It has also been called a "Great School at a Great Price" by U.S. News and World Report. Ninety-three percent of Cornell graduates earn their degrees in four years, compared to the national average of slightly more than five years. In 2013 Cornell was named one of the 25 colleges with the best professors by the Center for College Affordability and Productivity.

For more information, visit www.cornellcollege.edu.

Q:        What is the status for approval of the Keystone XL pipeline project?

A:        After nearly six years of rigorous regulatory review, approval for the more than 1,700-mile Keystone XL oil pipeline remains in limbo.  The TransCanada Corporation awaits a U.S. Presidential Permit to begin construction of the transcontinental infrastructure connecting a 36-inch pipeline system from Alberta, Canada, to Steele City, Nebraska.  Starting from the oil sands of Canada through the Bakken region in Montana and North Dakota, the pipeline would carry up to 830,000 barrels per day of crude oil to U.S. refineries in the Gulf Coast region.  Its completion has the potential to bring enormous economic growth and energy stability to the United States. Imagine if the United States would be able to supply 100 percent of its fossil fuel demand from North American sources.  Giving the green light to the Keystone XL pipeline would help get us closer to making that a reality.  There's a lot riding on the decision.  Policymakers and regulators are factoring into account its potential effect on job creation; energy independence; air, water and soil quality; and, economic growth.

Q:        What is holding up the approval process?

A:        As with most areas of public policymaking, politics looms large in the debate.  With all that's known to date, approval of the Keystone XL pipeline is good for America.  It would improve our energy stability, jump-start economic growth and job creation (this is genuinely a shovel-ready jobs and infrastructure project of the kind the President likes to champion) and reduce reliance on foreign sources of oil, and that's beneficial for America's national security interests.  Let's consider a few of the President's possible choices.

1.         Transport oil through America's Midwest rather than importing it from the Middle East.

2.         Transport oil via underground pipeline rather than posing greater risks to public, traffic and environmental safety with alternative shipment by rail or road.

3.         Lead the way on regulatory approval, oversight and compliance of traditional fuels and oil development.

As the President has said when it comes to meeting the needs of America's energy supply-and-demand equation, the answer to the question is:  "All of the above."  Keep in mind that relentless scrutiny by environmentalists, landowners, residents and local leaders along the proposed route through the Ogallala Aquifer in Nebraska prompted TransCanada to reroute the Keystone XL pipeline.  The new route under review recognizes efforts to safeguard the natural resources of the Sand Hills.  Like many Iowa farm families, I appreciate the ecological impact and property rights issues that have been raised.  Robust debate helps identify problems and resolve differences.  That's the beauty of America's system of self-governance and checks and balances.

Q:        What are next steps?

A:        The U.S. State Department recently released its final long-awaited environmental impact review.  Its analysis concluded the pipeline would not bear significant environmental impact and would provide the safest way to transport oil.  It also found that rejection of the pipeline will not affect Canada's decision to develop these oil resources.  Let's not be naive.  If the President rejects the permit application, TransCanada is not going to pick up its marbles and get out of the oil business.  Canada will continue to develop its resources.  President Obama has an opportunity to advance U.S. energy security by forging a partnership with one of our most stable trading partners on the planet.  This is a golden opportunity to put the public interest above political interests.  From national security advisors to labor leaders, members of the military and veteran service organizations and bipartisan advocacy on Capitol Hill, there is ever-growing public support for Keystone XL.  In March 2013, President Obama told the Senate Republican Caucus that he would make a decision on the Presidential Permit before the end of 2013.  It's time for a Presidential decision in support of the Keystone XL pipeline.