OXFORD, OH (07/11/2013)(readMedia)-- Margaret Ellen Benson, of Sterling, IL (61081) was among 3,678 students from Miami University who received degrees during spring commencement exercises Saturday, May 11

Miami University is a public university located in southwestern Ohio, offering more than 100 degree programs in humanities, science, engineering, business, education and fine arts.

Students with more than one listing have earned additional degrees or honors.

Additionally, Benson was named to the Miami University president's list.

Miami University students who are ranked in the top three percent of undergraduate students within each division for second semester 2012-13 have been named to the president's list recognizing academic excellence.

Receives "Champion" Award from College Changes Everything conference

CHICAGO - July 11, 2013. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon, the state's point person on education reform, urged educators to continue working to remove academic and non-academic barriers for college completion as she accepted the 2013 College Changes Everything Champion Award today from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).

The award, presented annually at the College Changes Everything conference, recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to help the state improve college access and completion efforts for Illinois students. Simon said undergraduates attending four-year schools, full-time and right out of high school make up less than 30 percent college students nationwide, and more students are attending for-profit schools than ever before. She said more transparency and low student loan rates will help older, part-time students succeed.

"I will continue to advocate for higher education that is affordable and accessible for all Illinois students, and to focus on reforms that help students from all backgrounds earn credentials that translate to good-paying jobs," said Simon, who visited the state's 12 public universities and 48 community colleges in her first two years in office. "I count higher education institutions and education advocates across the state as great partners as we focus on increasing the college completion rate in Illinois."

This month, Simon will convene education leaders to develop a statewide College Scorecard with data on completion rates and costs that will help students make the most of their tuition dollars. The effort follows a resolution drafted by Simon and approved by the General Assembly urging all Illinois colleges and universities to prominently display a link to a federal College Scorecard on their websites to help students assess college costs.

Simon has also worked with students and advocates to urge Congressional action on student loan rates. On July 1, interest rates on some federal student loans doubled. Simon has encouraged students to contact their federal representatives to explain what $2,600 annually - the average increase with doubled rates - means to them.

Simon and the state Board of Education are also rolling out the state's first middle school and high school math curriculum models this fall. Prompted by Simon's work on Senate Bill 3244, the units outline teach techniques aligned with Common Core standards and are designed to reduce remedial needs at college. Math is the biggest academic barrier to college completion, Simon said.

"Sheila Simon is one of the true champions of education in Illinois, and it's my honor to present her with this recognition," said Eric Zarnikow, executive director of ISAC.

The conference, coordinated by ISAC, brings together educators, students, legislators and other advocates to work towards the state's college completion goal. To keep pace with employer needs, the state wants 60 percent of working-age adults to hold a college degree or credential by 2025.

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after the House voted on a split version of the Farm Bill.  Loebsack has consistently fought to move a Farm Bill forward that can be signed into law.  Last month, he joined the Iowa delegation, and was one of only 24 Democrats, to support the complete House version of the Farm Bill, which was voted down.  He also introduced in the House the bipartisan farm bill legislation that recently passed the Senate with the support of both Senators Harkin and Grassley.

"It is unconscionable that the dysfunction of Republicans in the House has led to this highly partisan legislation that does not provide the support our farmers and rural communities deserve.  There has been a coalition of agriculture and nutrition groups that have worked together for decades to pass a Farm Bill.  The House Republicans' decision to split the bill is about Washington politics, not getting a farm bill done.  The decision to put partisan politics ahead of farmers is opposed by agriculture advocates including both Iowa Senators, Harkin and Grassley, and the American Farm Bureau, along with a group of 530 agriculture and rural development organizations, who have all expressed opposition to moving a split bill.

"I have been fighting to get a bipartisan Farm Bill signed into law.  We have to move this process forward and pass a bill that can go to conference with the Senate and be signed into law.  This legislation does not move the bill forward; it is in fact a step back.  The House needs to do its job and pass a long term Farm Bill. The continued partisan games will only continue to further delay the enactment."

July 11, 2013

RETIRED MAJOR GENERAL WATTNEM RETURNS FROM ENERGY TALKS IN DC

Iowa Flag Officer advocated for energy policies that will strengthen national security

MASON CITY, IOWA - Retired Army Major General Gary Wattnem today returned to Iowa after meeting with Senators Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin about important energy policies that have stalled in Washington, DC.

Wattnam, a Mason City resident, was sent to DC by an organization called Vets4Energy, which is a group of distinguished retired veterans who push lawmakers to enact policies that would reduce America's dependency on foreign oil and increase national security.

Armed with decades of experience in national defense, Wattnam engaged both Senators in conversations related to the Keystone XL pipeline and the Renewable Fuel Standard.

Vets4Energy strongly supports the Keystone XL pipeline because it would contribute to U.S. energy independence by transporting desperately needed domestic and Canadian oil to American refineries.

The State Department has conducted four separate environmental impact assessments that repeatedly conclude that the pipeline would not have significant impacts on the environment. Despite the overwhelming public support for the pipeline, its final approval has been put on hold.

Wattnem's visit to Capitol Hill was the second year in a row that Vets4Energy flew in veterans from across the country to meet with members of Congress. Volunteers with Vets4Energy will continue to engage veterans in the 26 states it represents and ask that they too send the message to lawmakers that energy independence is key to national security.

About Ret. Major General Gary Wattnem

Wattnem served a tour of duty at the Eastern Area Military Traffic Management and Terminal Service in Brooklyn, N.Y. During 1970 and 1971 he served in Vietnam with the 71st Transportation Battalion at Long Binh, Republic of Vietnam.

He entered the Active Reserve in November of 1971. His assignments included Company Commander of the 404th Signal Company in Waterloo, Iowa, and Signal Officer of the 394th Ammo Battalion in Ames, Iowa.  He then was assigned to the 103rd COSCOM at Fort Des Moines where he served in a number of assignments including Battalion Commander.  He was then selected as Commander of the 56th Material Management Center at Fort Snelling, Minn.

In September of 1993, he became the Chief of Staff of the 19th Theater Army Area Command in Des Moines, Iowa. In August of 1996, he assumed command of the 3rd Corps Support Command in Des Moines. He was selected as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics at the Pentagon in 1999.  He retired in 2004.