ROCK ISLAND, IL (03/21/2013)(readMedia)-- Fifty Augustana College students studied and worked in Sydney, Australia, for the first two months of 2013. The international study program known as "Augustana in Australia" places students in career-relevant positions in Sydney and immerses them in Australian culture. Over 250 students have participated in the program in the last seven years.

Madison Logan from Moline, Ill., was among the participants. Logan is a junior at Augustana and is majoring in communication sciences and disorders and psychology. Logan interned at The Lizard Centre.

The students completed a five-week on-campus internship seminar and a complimentary class in either intercultural communication or business ethics before leaving for Australia on January 2. Once in Australia, students worked for a variety of employers in numerous fields - from healthcare to education and from hospitality to non-profit work.

During their trip, the students also visited the ANZ Stadium, where the 2000 Olympics were held; the Sydney Opera House; and the Blue Mountains just outside of Sydney. Some students traveled to New Zealand and other areas of Australia, including Melbourne, Darwin and Cairns, where they were able to snorkel and dive the Great Barrier Reef. Students returned to the United States on March 2.

According to Karen M. Petersen, Augustana's director of business internships and the Australia program's director, "The highlight of the Australia internship program is the personal growth students experience by integrating into a totally new culture - both personally and professionally."

At Augustana, students choosing to intern or study abroad can receive financial support from the college thanks to a program launched in 2009 called Augie Choice. Focused on advancing student learning in the liberal arts in alignment with the college's strategic plan, Augie Choice grants students in their junior year or beyond the opportunity to receive a one-time grant of $2,000 to offset the expenses of study abroad, an internship or research project. Augie Choice funding is a visible symbol of the college's commitment to experiential learning as a way of preparing students to stand out among their peers.

About Augustana: Founded in 1860, Augustana College is a selective four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences. Augustana is recognized for the innovative program Augie Choice, which provides each student up to $2,000 to pursue a high-impact learning experience such as study abroad, an internship or research with a professor. Alumni include 140 Academic All-Americans, a Nobel laureate, 14 college presidents and other distinguished leaders. The college enrolls 2,500 students and is located along one of the world's most important waterways, the Mississippi River, in a community that reflects the diversity of the United States.

Run and walk presented by Palmer Chiropractic Clinics will be Saturday, April 6, at 8 a.m.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (MARCH 21, 2013) - Opening Day is just three weeks from Thursday, but Modern Woodmen Park will have a unique debut for the 2013 season at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 6, when the Quad Cities River Bandits host the first-ever Bandits Race to Home 5K presented by Palmer Chiropractic Clinics, with all proceeds benefiting the Bandit Scholars Program.

The unique route of the five-kilometer run and walk will begin near Modern Woodmen Park at 8 a.m., cross the Centennial Bridge into Rock Island, Ill., and the Rock Island Arsenal Bridge back into Davenport before ending at home plate inside Modern Woodmen Park. A Fun Run for children 12 years and younger, with River Bandits mascot Rascal, will also take place at approximately 9 a.m. Every 5K registration includes a T-shirt, and every participant in the 5K and Fun Run will receive a free ticket to a 2013 River Bandits game. All registration is available at www.riverbandits.com/5K. The registration deadline is Wednesday, April 3.

"The Quad Cities community will be able to warm up for baseball season with the truly amazing and fun experience of twice crossing state lines before coming to the finish line at home plate of Modern Woodmen Park for the Bandits Race to Home 5K presented by Palmer Chiropractic Clinics," said team owner Dave Heller. "For one affordable price, each participant will have a unique race experience and a free River Bandits game while supporting the Bandit Scholars Program that pays for two Quad Cities-area students to attend college."

The 5K registration fee of $27 includes a T-shirt and a ticket to a 2013 River Bandits game. Fun Run registration for children ages 12 and younger is $17, or $22 with a T-shirt. All proceeds benefit the Bandit Scholars Program, which annually awards the Keith Lucier Memorial Scholarship and the Bandit Scholarship. Each scholarship pays the entire first-year college tuition for two Quad Cities-area students, and the application deadline for the 2013 scholarships is Friday, March 29.

Race participants may also register as a team of five to 10 individuals. The team whose top five finishers have the best total time will win a free suite rental for a River Bandits game. Individual prizes will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers, as well as to the top three males and females in each age group (ages 19 and under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60 and above). All Fun Run participants will receive a ribbon.

Packet pick-up will be available at Modern Woodmen Park Thursday, April 4, and Friday, April 5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Pre-race packet pick-up will be 6:30-7:30 a.m. Saturday, April 6. A post-race party with results announcements and awards will include free adjustments from Palmer Chiropractic Clinics and free massages from Massage Envy, as well as snacks, $2 beers at the ballpark concession stands and bounce houses from the Jumpin' Joey's Kids Zone.

"The Bandits Race to Home 5K presented by Palmer Chiropractic Clinics will get the season off to a great start - with a day of family fun at Modern Woodmen Park," said General Manager Harold Craw. "This race will be a unique event to benefit the Bandit Scholars Program and, with Opening Day just around the corner, celebrate the return of River Bandits baseball."

Any questions about the race can be directed to Shane Huff at shane@riverbandits.com or Ryan Wright at ryan@riverbandits.com.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits are welcoming fans back to Modern Woodmen Park for a free-entry Fan Fest Saturday, March 23, from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Single-game tickets will go on sale, the team will offer special deals for ticket plans of 10 games or more, and the concession stands will offer $1 hot dogs, soda and hot chocolate, in addition to $2 drinks. To lock in your ticket plan for the 2013 season, call 563-324-3000 or visit www.riverbandits.com to download the season ticket order form. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits will make one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 112 feet over the playing field, is scheduled to open in early June, along with two new zip lines, a carousel, a Frog Hopper^TM, new bounce houses and many other fun attractions. The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans will have a chance to see last year's No. 1 overall draft pick, Carlos Correa. The Astros will also make the very first selection in the major league draft this June and could have another top pick end up in the Quad Cities. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, this season will be one every fan will not want to miss!

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement after the House of Representatives voted on the Republican budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2014.

"A budget is a set of priorities, a vision of the direction you believe the country should be moving towards.  Unfortunately, the Republican budget that passed the House today would balance the budget on the backs of seniors and middle class families, those who did not get us into this fiscal mess.  We've got to grow the economy, create jobs and substantially reduce the unsustainable deficit over the long-term, but it must be done in a balanced way.  In order to do that, Republicans and Democrats have to sit down with one another and truly make the difficult decisions that are necessary to get our economy moving again. We must lay our political differences aside and pass a commonsense budget."