LISLE, IL (08/30/2011)(readMedia)-- Marquis Ray Rodgers of Rock Island earned a B.A. in Sociology from Benedictine University.

Benedictine University awarded Associate of Arts (A.A.), Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) degrees to 679 students who completed their degree requirements on or before May 2011.

The University also awarded Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed.), Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Master of Education (M.Ed.), Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) and Master of Science (M.S.) degrees to 800 students who completed their requirements on or before May 2011.

Twelve students were awarded a Ph.D. in Organization Development and five were awarded an Ed.D. in Higher Education and Organizational Change.

Benedictine University is an independent Roman Catholic institution located in Lisle, Illinois just 25 miles west of Chicago. Founded in 1887, Benedictine provides 53 undergraduate majors, 13 graduate and four doctorate programs. Forbes magazine has named Benedictine University among the top 20 percent of America's colleges for 2011. Benedictine University is also ranked as a "Top School in the Midwest" by U.S. News & World Report.

On the web: http://readabout.me/achievements/Marquis-Ray-Rodgers-of-Rock-Island-Earns-Degree-from-Benedictine-University/2983165.

SAN JOSE, Calif. ? Attorneys for The Rutherford Institute have asked a federal court to rule that a California public school district and its officials violated the First Amendment when they told students they could not wear t-shirts and other items emblazoned with American flags to school on the Mexican holiday Cinco de Mayo. In a motion for summary judgment filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in Dariano et al. v. Morgan Hill Unif. Sch. Dist., Institute attorneys argue that school officials at Live Oak High School in Morgan Hill, Calif., violated long-standing Supreme Court precedent forbidding viewpoint discrimination when they ordered students to cover up their stars and stripes apparel or leave the school. School officials allegedly issued the clothing ban after some Hispanic students complained about the patriotic articles of clothing being worn to school on May 5, 2010.

"This is a clear violation of the students' right to free expression guaranteed under the First Amendment," said John W. Whitehead, president of The Rutherford Institute. "It is past due time that school officials respect the constitutional rights of students."

According to the motion, on May 5, 2010, three Live Oak High School students wore patriotic t-shirts, shorts and shoes to school which bore various images of the U.S. flag. During a mid-morning "brunch break," the students were approached by Assistant Principal Miguel Rodriguez, who allegedly told the students they could not wear their pro-U.S.A. shirts and gave them the option of either removing their shirts or turning them inside out. When the students refused because the options would be disrespectful to the flag, Rodriguez ordered them to go to his office.

After two of the students' parents arrived at the school, Rodriguez is alleged to have lectured the group about Cinco de Mayo, indicating he received complaints from some Hispanics students about the stars and stripes apparel, and again ordered that the clothing be covered up to prevent offending the Hispanic students on "their" day. Principal Nick Boden also met with the parents and students and affirmed Rodriguez's order, allegedly because he did not want to offend students who were celebrating Cinco de Mayo.

Alleging that the decision by school officials constitutes viewpoint discrimination against pro-U.S.A. expression, Rutherford Institute attorneys filed suit on behalf of the students and their parents seeking a declaration that the action violated the First Amendment and injunctive relief against a vague school district policy allowing prior restraints on speech to be imposed upon students. The lawsuit asserts that school officials violated the students' rights under the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment, the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment, and the protection of freedom of speech granted by the California Constitution. In asking the court to issue summary judgment in favor of the censored students, Rutherford Institute attorneys assert that the undisputed facts show that the officials had no grounds for fearing disruption from the flag apparel and that the school district's policies give officials too much discretion in censoring student speech.

Read online at: http://www.rutherford.org/

Mike Smiddy, Democrat and AFSCME member, will be announcing his run for State Representative in the 71^st District Thursday, September 1^st 2011.  He will be announcing in Savanna, Rock Falls, and at the UAW hall in East Moline.

"Being able to give back to the communities where I grew up is something that I take great pride in. While working for Lane Evans I came to learn the importance of public service and standing up for those who can not stand up for themselves. This campaign will be dedicated to focusing on those issues that are important to the families living in this district."

Mike Smiddy is a proud and active member of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Union Local 46 (AFSCME) at the East Moline Correctional Center.  Mike Smiddy served as Treasurer and Executive Board Member in his Union local for two terms.  He was also one of two delegates from AFSCME who served as representatives on the Quad City Federation of Labor.  Mike believes "It is the hard work of organized labor that has contributed to the expansion of the Middle Class in the 20th Century, and I plan to be a voice in the Illinois Legislature for those values and those ideas"

Mike Believes that each generation is supposed to do better than the previous one. If we continue down our current path, our children and grandchildren may not be able to reach their potential because of our failures. The people of Illinois must demand more from our elected representatives.  With the right leadership we will be able to turn our state around. Our citizens need to be able to trust in those that they elect and send to Springfield. They need to have the confidence that the decisions being made by our leaders are done for the rights reasons and will benefit all of us here in the 71st district and throughout the state.

Our campaign will be based on a grassroots organizing effort, focusing on the issues that are important to the Illinois families.  This means ensuring that we have a strong economic development and job retention plan, maintaining worker's rights, and creating sound fiscal policies to help bring down our state's rising budget deficit.  And finally, to ensure the best education for our children, so they will be prepared to compete in our global economy.

Mike will be announcing and talking about these ideas at the following locations Thursday September 1^st 2011.

9 AM
Aunt Mannies Café
Savanna Marina
1 Main St.
Savanna IL 

12 AM
Carpenter's Local 790
1008 7^th Ave.
Rock Falls, IL 

4PM
UAW LOCAL  865
East Moline IL, 61244

Make the hole - make a difference!  Rivermont Collegiate will host its annual Golf Tournament on Monday, September 19^th at Crow Valley Golf Club in Davenport. This exciting event will feature co-ed, men's, and women's divisions, as well as special hole events and raffle prizes.  A dinner with awards and trophies will follow.  This event is not limited to Rivermont families - anyone who would like to have a fantastic time while supporting the education of students in their community is encouraged to join us!  The tournament supports scholarships and special projects at Rivermont Collegiate, the Quad Cities' only private, independent, multicultural college preparatory school for students in preschool through twelfth grade.     

This year's tournament features the chance to win a vintage car from Veit's Vettes & Collector Cars!  Qualifying chip off dates for the opportunity to win the car will take place at Palmer Hills Golf Course in Bettendorf on Tuesday Sept. 6^th, Wednesday Sept. 7^th, and Thursday Sept. 8^th.  Participants are invited to come multiple days and chip as many times as they like!  Participants whose ball makes it in the circle are eligible for the putt contest at the Rivermont Golf Tournament on Monday, September 19^th.      

Cost to participate in the tournament is $150 and includes lunch, golf, and dinner.  Mulligans and raffle tickets for a Galena get-a-way (valued at $600!) are available for purchase.  Participants who would like to attend the dinner and after party only may do so for $25.  The tournament will begin with check-in at 11:00 a.m., followed by lunch and shotgun start at 1:00 p.m.  The putt contest for the vintage car will take place at 5:30 p.m., followed by the after party and awards ceremony at 6:00 p.m.      

For additional information and to register, please visit www.rvmt.org/golf and/or contact Drew Boster, Director of Development, at (563) 359-1366 ext. 306 or boster@rvmt.org.      

For additional information on Rivermont Collegiate, visit us online at www.rvmt.org!      

Crow Valley Golf Club, location of the tournament, is located at 4315 E. 60^th St. in Davenport.      

Palmer Hills Golf Course, location of the qualifying chip off, is located at 2999 Middle Road in Bettendorf.      

Veit's Vettes & Collector Cars features 2 locations - 1838 State St. in Bettendorf and 221 E. 2^nd St. in Davenport.  For more information, visitwww.vvncc.com.    

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