PELLA, (02/04/2014)(readMedia)--  Central College freshman Emma Simmons, native of Davenport, competed in the Region V Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) in Lincoln, Neb. the week of Jan. 20. KCACTF is an annual festival dedicated to celebrate and improve the quality of collegiate theatre, while providing professional opportunities. The Region V festival drew 1,525 students from 81 colleges and universities.

Simmons was one of 316 nominees for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship. The scholarship provides recognition, honor and financial assistance to outstanding student performers who wish to pursue further education.

Central College is a residential liberal arts college dedicated to the education of 1,500 undergraduate students. Guided by its ecumenical Christian tradition, the college community engages in vigorous, free, open inquiry in pursuit of academic excellence. Founded in 1853, the college is affiliated with the Reformed Church in America and NCAA Division III athletics.

Central is a recognized leader in study abroad as a result of its international, residential programs. Central College is located in Pella, Iowa, a thriving community of 10,000 two minutes from the state's largest lake and 40 minutes southwest of Des Moines. Please visit the college website at www.central.edu.

Lt. Governor backs findings and recommendations of education committee

CARBONDALE - Feb. 3, 2014. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon today issued the following statement supporting education funding reform recommendations released by Sen. Andy Manar's (D-Bunker Hill) Education Funding Advisory Committee (EFAC).

"These recommendations could lead to one of the most important pieces of legislation the General Assembly will see this year. We have the potential to right the wrongs in our education funding formula and direct funding toward the students who need it most, no matter where they live.

"By creating a single funding formula, increasing transparency about how school funds are being spent, and prioritizing resources, we can take important steps toward a sustainable and equitable education system.

"I appreciate the efforts of Sen. Manar and this committee and look forward to working with legislators and the governor to pass these important changes."

Simon serves as the state's point person on education reform. In this capacity, Simon is working to increase the proportion of working-age adults with college degrees or certificates to 60 percent by 2025. As chair of the 25-member Governor's Rural Affairs Council, Simon is also working to improve the delivery of state services and education opportunities to rural Illinois. A copy of the final EFAC report can be found here.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (01/31/2014)(readMedia)-- The following local residents were among 763 students from Butler University who made the Dean's List for the fall semester of the 2013-2014 academic year:

Aaron Brenner of Sterling. Brenner is studying Chemistry.

Allison Shanks of Bettendorf. Shanks is studying Biology.

Tessa Sommers of Coal Valley. Sommers is studying Music Performance.

Butler is a nationally recognized comprehensive university encompassing six colleges: Arts, Business, Communication, Education, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Together, these colleges offer more than 60 undergraduate areas of study, eight pre-professional programs, and 19 graduate programs. Around 4,700 students are enrolled at Butler, representing 45 states and 49 countries. Ninety-five percent of Butler students will have participated in some form of internship, student teaching, clinical rotation, research, or service learning by the time they graduate. This community-centered immersion is coupled with classroom learning that nurtures critical thinking, effective communication, cooperative teamwork, and ethical decision making to prepare students for both professional success and to have lasting impact in their communities. Butler's overall placement rate for the class of 2012 was 94 percent, including 19 percent who went on to graduate or professional school.