UPLAND, IN (01/23/2013)(readMedia)-- The following local residents were named to the Fall 2012 Dean's list at Taylor University. Full-time students are named to the Dean's List when they have earned a GPA of 3.60 or higher for the term and taken at least 12 hours of classes.

Aaron Johnson, a resident of Moline, IL.

Emily Johnson, a resident of Moline, IL.

Angela Stuedemann, a resident of Dewitt, IA.

Brett Vacek, a resident of East Moline, IL.

Joshua Warren, a resident of Fulton, IL.

Julia Willey, a resident of Davenport, IA.

Callie Willoughby, a resident of Clinton, IA.

About Taylor University: Founded in 1846, Taylor University is an interdenominational liberal arts university of evangelical faith located in Upland, Ind. The 2012 U.S. News and World Report survey America's Best Colleges ranked Taylor the number one Baccalaureate College in the Midwest. It marked Taylor's fifth straight number one ranking.

Taylor University is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).

(January 21, 2013 - Bellevue, Neb.) Bellevue University proudly acknowledges the accomplishments of students who have earned degrees from July through December 2012 - 1,317 total, including 403 master's degrees and 914 bachelor's degrees.

Jerome Richardson of Davenport earned his BS in Project Management.

Bellevue University is ranked second among all Nebraska institutions awarding the highest number of degrees and first among independent institutions, according to the most recent report from the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education. The report cites that Bellevue University conferred 3,101 degrees in the 2010-2011 academic year, just behind the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, the state's largest academic institution. A private, non-profit institution, the University accounted for 55 percent of the increase in the number of degrees awarded by independent Nebraska institutions between 2000-01 and 2010-11.

Bellevue University offers more than 40 undergraduate degree programs and 18 graduate degree programs, with more programs in development. Those programs apply the University's unique active learning approach which allows students to attend class in a classroom or online, and meet with fellow students, discuss lessons with instructors, complete assignments and conduct research.

Bellevue University first offered online classes in November 1996 with a handful of students and six courses. Today, Bellevue University has more than 7,000 online students from all over the globe enrolled in more than 400 courses. Overall, more than 10,000 students now attend Bellevue University, making it the largest private university in Nebraska. The University recently earned a top ten ranking by the U.S. News 2013 Top Online Education Program Rankings in the category of best online bachelor's degrees.

Bellevue University is a recognized national leader in providing post-secondary education opportunities for working adults. A private, non-profit institution, Bellevue University serves students at learning sites in three states, as well as worldwide through its award-winning online learning platform. Bellevue University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For more information, visit www.bellevue.edu.

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PELLA, (01/22/2013)(readMedia)-- The following local students volunteered on a mission trip in McAllen, Texas, during winter break at Central College:

Emily Huegel, a native of Bettendorf, Iowa and a elementary education major at Central College

Ashlyn Huegel, a native of Bettendorf, Iowa and a exploring major at Central College

Levi Spain, a native of Lost Nation, Iowa and a business management major at Central College

Angie Allgood, a native of Muscatine, Iowa and a exploring major at Central College

Meghan Brophy, a native of Bettendorf, Iowa and a religion major at Central College

Alicia Huegel, a native of Bettendorf, Iowa and a exploring major at Central College

Kevin Templeton, a native of Muscatine, Iowa and a music education-vocal major at Central College

Students traveled during winter break at Central College in order to volunteer on a mission trip in McAllen, Texas from Jan. 3 to Jan. 12.The group of 84 students was led by the Campus Ministries team, including Chaplain Joe Brummel, Sarah Schlager and Nick Rohner.

The students had the opportunity to volunteer in public schools, Habitat for Humanity houses and boarding schools for Mexican girls; serve meals at Boarder Missions; and put on kids' carnivals in impoverished neighborhoods.

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.

More than 50 Education, Public Safety, Mental Health and Law Enforcement Officials Meet to Seek Ways to Further Safeguard Illinois Schools

SPRINGFIELD - January 22, 2013. Governor Pat Quinn today convened top experts from across the state for a summit to develop short and long-term actions to further safeguard schools in Illinois. The governor brought together the group of more than 50 representatives from the fields of education, public safety, mental health and law enforcement following last month's deadly school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. Today's meeting is part of the governor's ongoing commitment to ensuring safe schools in Illinois.

"Every parent should feel that their child is safe in school," Governor Quinn said. "Today we brought together teachers, school administrators, mental health experts, law enforcement and public safety officials to discuss ways to further safeguard our schools. We must continue to take every step possible to ensure our children are protected."

During the meeting at the State Emergency Operations Center in Springfield, participants discussed crisis prevention, school and community planning and coordination and facility protection and security. Additional meetings of the full group or smaller working groups will be scheduled to address specific problems and develop solutions.

Today's meeting followed an initial conference call on the subject on Dec. 21, 2012, one week after the tragic shooting in Connecticut.

Organizations represented at today's summit included:

·         Governor Quinn's Office

·         Illinois Emergency Management Agency

·         Illinois Terrorism Task Force

·         Illinois State Police

·         Illinois State Board of Education Illinois Department of Human Services

·         Illinois Department of Public Health

·         Office of the Illinois Attorney General

·         Office of Senator Dick Durbin

·         Illinois Principals Association

·         Illinois Association of School Administrators

·         Illinois Education Association

·         Chicago Teachers Union

·         Illinois Federation of Teachers

·         Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System

·         Illinois Association of School Boards

·         Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police

·         Association of Community Mental Health Authorities of Illinois

·         American Association of Architects

·         U.S. Attorney's Office

·         University of Illinois-Springfield Center for Public Safety and Justice

·         Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities

·         American Red Cross

·         Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications

·         Cook County Homeland Security and Emergency Management

·         DuPage County Sheriff's Office

·         Madison County Sheriff's Office

·         Ball-Chatham School Board and School District

·         Sangamon County Regional Office of Education

·         Illinois Math and Science Academy

In addition, the School and Campus Security Training Program, a cooperative effort of the Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Terrorism Task Force and the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System, recently rolled out a School Safety Drill Video and Computer-Based Training tutorial, which reflect best practices based on lessons learned from real life emergency events. The videos are free and currently available for distribution to public and private schools. The videos detail specific actions for administrators, teachers and support staff for each drill, based on post-incident reports and de-briefings from real school events.

Since 2009, schools in Illinois have been required to perform an emergency drill at least once per year. In addition, schools must have emergency and crisis plans in place and review them annually. Since 2005, the School and Campus Security Training Program provided more than 250 K-12 school safety planning courses attended by more than 8,600 participants representing 817 public school districts and 545 non-public schools. In 2012 the program delivered 55 preparedness training courses for both K-12 and higher education institutions, which were attended by 1,486 participants, to update emergency operations plans and increase their capacity to respond to and recover from all hazards, including active shooters. Currently, there are 11 courses scheduled from January through March of 2013.

For more information, please visit www.ready.illinois.gov and www.isbe.net/safety.