ROCK ISLAND, IL (12/19/2013)(readMedia)-- Augustana College announced 839 students were named to the Dean's List for the 2013 fall term. Students who have earned this academic honor have maintained a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher on a four-point scale for courses taken during the term.

From your area, students who have earned this honor include :

Sheila Ahuja from Rock Island, a senior majoring in language arts and English education.

Sarah Althaus from Moline, a senior majoring in political science.

April Anderson from Davenport, a senior majoring in Asian studies.

Hiba Ansari from Clinton, a senior majoring in business administration-international business.

Jessica Bacon from Rock Island, a junior majoring in elementary education.

Adam Bengfort from Davenport, a junior majoring in engineering physics.

Amelia Beveroth from Sterling, a senior majoring in elementary education.

Andrew Beveroth from Sterling, a sophomore majoring in history and accounting.

Grace Brasel from East Moline, a sophomore majoring in biology.

Allison Brown from Milan, a senior majoring in language arts and English education.

Samantha Bull from Davenport, a senior majoring in communication sciences and disorders.

Brandee Cole from Bettendorf, a junior majoring in pre-medicine and biology.

David Cook from Silvis, a senior majoring in history.

Summer Cook from Rock Island, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Tyler Cowherd from Bettendorf, a senior majoring in business administration-finance, Spanish for professional use, and accounting.

Rowan Crow from Coal Valley, a sophomore majoring in pre-history education.

Sydney Crumbleholme from Moline, a sophomore majoring in art.

Jane Cummings from Rock Island, a sophomore majoring in undecided.

Rosa De La Torre from Rock Falls, a sophomore majoring in pre-medicine and biology.

Ashley DeVolder from Moline, a senior majoring in accounting.

Katelin Durham from Sterling, a junior majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Elizabeth Gehrmann from Bettendorf, a sophomore majoring in chemistry.

Lizandra Gomez-Ramirez from Rock Island, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Shai Gonzales from Davenport, a senior majoring in political science.

Emily Grooms from Coal Valley, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Andrea Grubaugh from Muscatine, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Christine Harb from Davenport, a junior majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Fenner Hengst from Bettendorf, a senior majoring in graphic design.

Taelar Hillyer from Bettendorf, a senior majoring in language arts and English education.

Darshan Hullon from Moline, a senior majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Andrea Hult from Moline, a junior majoring in accounting and business administration-advising.

Jens Hurty from Moline, a senior majoring in music education-vocal.

Tyler James from Davenport, a sophomore majoring in undecided.

Jillian Jespersen from Rock Island, a sophomore majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Zoee Johnson from Rock Falls, a sophomore majoring in classics and philosophy.

Jacob Johnston from Cordova, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Victoria Jones from Rock Falls, a junior majoring in language arts and English education.

Katherine Karstens from Moline, a senior majoring in business administration-finance and accounting.

Alyssa Kendell from Davenport, a sophomore majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Megan Kirik from Moline, a senior majoring in political science and communication studies.

Kimberly Klyman from East Moline, a sophomore majoring in undecided.

Benjamin Knapper from Davenport, a junior majoring in applied mathematics and computer science.

Rebecca Knapper from Davenport, a freshman majoring in creative writing and English.

Kylie Koger from Davenport, a senior majoring in classics and philosophy.

Nicholas Krantz from Moline, a senior majoring in graphic design.

Jamie Lawrence from Moline, a senior majoring in language arts and English education.

Kera Linn from Bettendorf, a junior majoring in biology.

Madison Logan from Moline, a senior majoring in communication sciences and disorders and psychology.

Makenzie Logan from Moline, a sophomore majoring in psychology and communication sciences and disorders.

Eryn Maccabee from East Moline, a senior majoring in English and Scandinavian.

Chad Martens from Erie, a junior majoring in pre-medicine.

Carolyn Maynard from Moline, a junior majoring in communication sciences and disorders.

Eli McDonald from Bettendorf, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Samantha McGreer from Illinois City, a junior majoring in pre-medicine and biochemistry.

Benjamin McKay from Rock Island, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Elise McPherson from Sterling, a senior majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Irene Mekus from East Moline, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Chelsea Mentado from Moline, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Sara Naftzger from Albany, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Landon Neese from Davenport, a junior majoring in pre-medicine.

Breann Nelson from Moline, a senior majoring in psychology and sociology-social welfare.

Lindsey Nicolaysen from Fulton, a junior majoring in computer science.

Muna Omar from Bettendorf, a senior majoring in biology.

Jenna Orabutt from Rock Island, a senior majoring in business administration-management.

Owen Pomije from Rock Island, a senior majoring in computer science.

Layne Porembski from Moline, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Phillip Powell from Bettendorf, a sophomore majoring in English.

Elyzia Powers from Silvis, a junior majoring in psychology.

Katherine Rea from Rock Island, a senior majoring in classics.

Anish Reddy from Rock Island, a sophomore majoring in pre-medicine.

Alexandria Riordan from Davenport, a senior majoring in business administration-management.

Anna Rusch from Davenport, a senior majoring in business administration-marketing.

Abigail Ryser from Moline, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Alan Sabat from Moline, a senior majoring in geography.

Keith Sands from Silvis, a sophomore majoring in mathematics and math education.

Ingrid Schneider from Davenport, a senior majoring in music general and psychology.

Austin Schoeck from Rock Island, a sophomore majoring in political science.

Markaye Semmens from Moline, a senior majoring in elementary education.

Andrew Shearouse from Coal Valley, a senior majoring in business administration - management information system and computer science.

Emma Shie from Davenport, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Andrew Showers from Moline, a senior majoring in computer science, philosophy, and business administration-management information system.

Alexandra Skinner from Bettendorf, a senior majoring in theatre arts and psychology.

Tyler Spellious from Moline, a senior majoring in English and creative writing.

Cristina Stan from Davenport, a senior majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Rosalie Starenko from Rock Island, a junior majoring in geography and Spanish.

Andrew Statz from Davenport, a sophomore majoring in pre-medicine and biology.

Grant Stewart from Sterling, a senior majoring in elementary education.

Sergio Tekeli from Bettendorf, a freshman majoring in pre-medicine.

Emma Thompson from Port Byron, a senior majoring in psychology and Spanish for professional use.

Jaykob Tisdale from Moline, a senior majoring in Spanish.

Philip Tunnicliff from Bettendorf, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Jonathon Waite from Sterling, a senior majoring in mathematics and computer science.

Michael Warhank from Davenport, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Michelle Wells from Davenport, a senior majoring in biology.

Haley West from Rapids City, a sophomore majoring in undecided.

Dalinda Widdop from Milan, a senior majoring in biology.

James Wiebler from Davenport, a senior majoring in biology.

Shelby Womack from Davenport, a senior majoring in biology.

Joseph Zahn from Moline, a senior majoring in neuroscience.

Michael Zeitler from East Moline, a senior majoring in math education and mathematics.

Rong Zheng from Silvis, a sophomore majoring in biochemistry.

Founded in 1860, Augustana College is a selective four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences. Augustana College 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. Current students and alumni include 147 Academic All-Americans, a Nobel laureate, 13 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.

DES MOINES, IA (12/19/2013)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald presented a $5,290 College Savings Iowa account today to one year old Peyton Becker. Peyton was chosen to receive the award after her mother, Krista, entered her for the giveaway as part of the College Savings Iowa Fall Giveaway.

"With college tuition rising faster than inflation, saving for college is not an easy task these days," stated Fitzgerald. "Our goal for College Savings Iowa is to encourage families to start saving early for their loved one's higher educational expenses. Saving ahead of time can reduce a parent's need to borrow to cover educational expenses, which can help them and their child get through college with less debt."

College Savings Iowa attended various events across the state this past fall to help spread the message about saving early. While learning about the Plan, families were able to register for the 2013 College Savings Iowa Giveaway. Peyton, who was randomly selected from over 9,000 entrants, will be able to use the $5,290 to help pay for tuition, books, room and board at any qualifying institution.

While investors do not need to be a state resident to participate in College Savings Iowa, there are some additional benefits if they are an Iowa taxpayer. Iowans can deduct contributions up to $3,045 per beneficiary account from their adjusted gross income in 2013.* In order to qualify for the 2013 tax deduction, contributions must be made by the end of the year. Participants can contribute online at collegesavingsiowa.com. If sent by mail, they must postmark checks by December 31, 2013.

Opening a College Savings Iowa account is simple. With as little as $25 and ten minutes anyone can start investing on behalf of a child. To learn more about College Savings Iowa, please visit collegesavingsiowa.com or call 1-888-672-9116. You can also connect with College Savings Iowa on Facebook and Twitter (Iowa529Plan) to learn about upcoming events and giveaways.

*Adjusted annually for inflation. If withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income.

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Investment returns are not guaranteed and you could lose money by investing in the plan. Participants assume all investment risks as well as the responsibility for any federal and state tax consequences. If you are not an Iowa taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program.

For more information about the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan, call 1-888-672-9116, or visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com to obtain a Program Description. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are included in the Program Description; read and consider it carefully before investing.

College Savings Iowa is an Iowa trust sponsored by the Iowa State Treasurer's Office. The Treasurer of the State of Iowa sponsors and is responsible for overseeing the administration of the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan. The Vanguard Group, Inc., serves as Investment Manager and Vanguard Marketing Corporation, an affiliate of The Vanguard Group, Inc., assists the Treasurer with marketing and distributing the Plan. Upromise Investment Advisors, LLC, provides records administration services. The Plan's portfolios, although they invest in Vanguard mutual funds, are not mutual funds.

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley has nominated 55 outstanding Iowa students for consideration for appointments to the U.S. service academies.

"Young Iowans who want to enter the academies and serve our country are remarkable for their accomplishments and leadership.  These candidates are an impressive reflection on our state and signal continued excellence in the U.S. armed forces," Grassley said.

Each year Grassley has the opportunity as a U.S. senator to nominate either current or future Iowa high school graduates for a select few service academy placements.  The Air Force, Military, and Naval academies all select at least one qualified student from Grassley's nominations.  The Merchant Marine Academy makes selections in proportion to states' representation in Congress.

Grassley said he encourages Iowa students to consider applying to more than one service academy due to the highly competitive nature of admissions.  "The academies offer some of the best options for higher education, and they offer an outstanding way to serve our country," Grassley said. "It's a tremendous opportunity for young Iowans."

Students interested in academy appointments should begin the application process in the spring of their junior year of high school.  The academies select students based on the number of vacancies available for the next school year.  Senator Tom Harkin and Iowa Representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives also make nominations.  Traditionally, the high quality of Iowa nominees results in several Iowa students being selected to attend each of the service academies.

Grassley said he will make announcements as appointments to the academies are offered to Iowans.

The lists below include the names, high schools and hometowns of Grassley's nominees for the 2014-2015 school year.

U.S. Air Force Academy
Clayton Beck, Bondurant-Farrar High School, Bondurant

Maija Bennett, Burlington High School, Burlington

Tyler Bennink, Thomas Jefferson High School, Cedar Rapids

Dalton Doom, Waukee High School, Urbandale

Ryan Finn, Hudson High School, Hudson

Katie Gibson, Sioux Central High School, Sioux Rapids*

Tyler Runyon, Van Buren High School, Keosauqua

Tyler Stewart, Springville High School, Marion

Conner Tillo, West Burlington High School, West Burlington

Jack Walker, Wapello High School, Wapello

U.S. Military Academy at West Point
Anamaria Angel, Van Meter High School, Waukee

Walter DeDoncker, Pleasant Valley High School, Davenport

Hannah Fairfield, Iowa City West High School, Coralville

Harrison Farrell, Dowling Catholic High School, Des Moines

Connor Gillette, Theodore Roosevelt High School, Des Moines

Matthew Haijsman, Lewis Central High School, McClelland

Neil Harte, Iowa City High School, Iowa City

Seth Horsley, Carroll High School, Carroll

Noah Irons, Lake Mills High School, Lake Mills*

Emily Junker, Van Meter High School, West Des Moines*

Cameron Lawler, Southeast Polk, Mitchellville

Peter Meyers, Gladbrook Reinbeck High School, Reinbeck*

Jose Olivo, Griswold High School, Griswold

Ethan Pieper, Norwalk High School, Johnston

Drew Piersma, North High School, Sioux City

Phillip Ramirez, Vilseck High School, Germany

Devinder Sandhu, Valley High School, Clive

Roy Schindler, Davenport Central High School, Davenport

Thomas Wilgenbusch, Roland-Story High School, Story City

Christian Zvokel, Bondurant-Farrar High School, Bondurant

U.S. Naval Academy
Joshua Bailey, Heritage Christian Academy (Home School), Otley

Jacob Baur, Winterset Senior High School, Van Meter

Trevor Bounds, South Central Calhoun High School, Lytton

Jeffrey Bright, Home School, Ames

Maeve Broeg, Williamsburg High School, Parnell

Keaton Carter, Southeast Polk High School, Altoona

Erin Evans, Solon High School, Solon

Micaela Finney, Bettendorf High School, Bettendorf*

Shannon Gorman, George Washington High School, Springville

Benjamin Halley, Waukee High School, Clive

Kyle Hollenback, Pleasant Valley High School, Bettendorf

Nick Krone, Holy Trinity Catholic High School, Fort Madison

Jacob Matthies, OA-BCIG High School, Ida Grove

Henry Oberman, Waukee High School, Clive

Jacob Pence, Cedar Falls High School, Cedar Falls

Alex Reed, Davenport West High School, Blue Grass

Kennedy Salow, Center Point-Urbana High School, Walker

Luke Schmitz, Harlan High School, Harlan

Connor Schueler, Iowa City West High School, Coralville

Zachary Weston, George Washington High School, Cedar Rapids

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

Jacob Cline, Grinnell-Newburg High School, Grinnell

Gustave Doll, St. Albert High School, Council Bluffs

John Gorman, Marion High School, Marion

Rhett Nowotny, HLV High School, Brooklyn

Nicholas Swartz, John F. Kennedy High School, Cedar Rapids

Students denoted with an asterisks(*) were also nominated for appointments to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in addition to the Air Force, Military or Naval Academies.

CHICAGO - Dec. 12, 2013. Nearly 65 percent of participating school district superintendents believe state funding for education is poor or in need of improvement, according to an online survey that will be released Thursday by Lt. Governor Sheila Simon's office and Illinois State University.

The survey, required by statute, asked district superintendents to evaluate the services of the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Regional Offices of Education (ROEs) and posed several policy questions developed by ISU researchers. The survey will be released at the P-20 Council's Joint Education Leadership Committee meeting in Chicago on Thursday afternoon.

"This survey collects helpful insights on what is important to local school districts and administrators," said Simon, who serves as the state's point person on education reform. "This information shows that people on the front line of education are concerned about school funding. This is an issue that is not going away and deserves our attention."

The Office of the Lieutenant Governor is required by state law to annually conduct a Service Evaluation Survey that allows school districts to provide anonymous feedback on the quality and importance of services provided by ISBE and ROEs. Distributed with the help of the Illinois Association of School Boards, the 2013 survey was conducted in partnership with Illinois State University's Center for the Study of Education Policy and their annual Superintendent Survey. This year, a total of 355 districts participated, with 277 completing the Service Evaluation portions and 100 completing the ISU portion of the voluntary survey.

Among the numerous findings of the survey were that 65 percent of respondents would support an increase in the income tax with or without a corresponding decrease in property tax, 75 percent of participants would support a local sales tax for the Education Fund voted upon by a district referendum and over 90 percent of contributors supporting a two year state budget cycle to improve fiscal planning. Respondents rated most services as being important to critically important, and gave ISBE and ROEs high marks in several areas, including leadership, communication, and responsiveness to requests for assistance. Participants indicated that they will need more support in the future for Common Core implementation, professional development, testing technology, and educator evaluations.

Simon serves as the chair of the Joint Education Leadership Committee for the P-20 Council, the state's top educational advisory body.  Unlike other states, Illinois does not have a single official or cabinet position that oversees preschool through higher education efforts. The Joint Education Leadership Committee, whose membership includes top education and workforce agency officials, encourages cross-agency collaboration and cooperation.

A copy of the report and its findings can be found here.