The Rock Island Arsenal Welcome Club (RIAWC)honored high school and college-bound students with scholarships during a luncheon on the island May 15. Front row, from left: Alexis Slocum, Karin Carlson, Taylor Horwath, Jori Colarusso, Marina Johnson; back row from left: Erin Toohey, Kelsey Ethington, Mileah Gumpert, Miranda Gumpert, Michael Ryan, Jordan Starkey, Alex Campbell, Jacob Coyne, Maddi Theisen. Not pictured but receiving scholarships " Alex Donovan, Kate Fennelly, Tiffany Merkel, Lindsey Miner.

A total of $20,000 was awarded to 18 students scheduled to attend classes this fall.  For those who received scholarships, 11 are graduating from high school this spring and seven are currently attending college.  Brig. Gen. Duane Gamble, deputy commanding general, Army Sustainment Command, presented the students with certificates that highlighted their selection for the merit awards.

"This is a great day for the Welcome Club and our nation's youth," said Gamble. "You are our future leaders and I am humbled to be here with you."

The purpose of the RIAWC is to develop and foster a spirit of Quad Cities Area community responsibility at RIA by providing opportunities for social, cultural and creative pursuits and to support worthwhile service and community projects.

A fundamental purpose of the RIAWC is to generate funds to support service members and their families, government employees, and other charitable endeavors on the island and within the Quad-Cities metropolitan areas.

Rivermont Collegiate announces the retirement of 3 respected and beloved faculty/administrators at the end of this school year: Suzanne Johnson, Assistant Headmaster and Early and Lower School Head (40 years at Rivermont), Katherine Topalian, First Grade Teacher (32 years at Rivermont), and Linda Hampton, Middle & Upper School Science Faculty (29 years at Rivermont).

Suzanne Johnson began her career at Rivermont (then known as St. Katharine's-St. Mark's) in 1973, the same year the School moved from its original location in Davenport to the historic Bettendorf Mansion.  Sue began teaching Middle School Science, Math, and Physical Education.  She also taught 5^th Grade for 19 years before moving into her current position as Assistant Headmaster and Early and Lower School Head.  She has been recognized as a recipient of Rivermont's Waterman Chair of Distinguished Teaching.

Katherine Topalian has taught over 500 Rivermont first graders to read, having held the position of First Grade Teacher for 32 years!  The beloved "Mrs. T" has been recognized as a recipient of Rivermont's Golden Apple Award for Exceptional Teaching and Waterman Chair of Distinguished Teaching.  Always involved in the life of the School, Kathy served as Chair of Grandparents' & Special Friends' Day for over 12 years and Chair of ISACS (Independent Schools Association of the Central States) Evaluation Committees 4 separate times.

For 29 years, Linda Hampton's passion rubbed off on everyone around her as she inspired Rivermont students to take an interest in science.  Though students have consistently taken top science fair honors under her guidance, Linda made a habit of treating every student as an award winner and valuing each project.  She has been the recipient of Rivermont's Golden Apple Award for Exceptional Teaching and Waterman Chair of Distinguished Teaching, as well as numerous outside awards, including Outstanding Mentor at both the Hawkeye Science and Engineering Fair and the State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa.

The dedication of these retirees is a direct reflection of their belief in Rivermont and our mission.  Rivermont is the Quad Cities' only private college prep school, dedicated to academic excellence and maximizing the potential of each student.  We congratulate Sue, Kathy, and Linda on all they have accomplished and thank them for the difference they've made in the lives of students they taught and faculty who were privileged to work with them.

(Peru, Neb.) Peru State recently awarded 459 students their degrees at the college's 2013 Commencement ceremony, which included Stephanie Schulte of Rock Island who received her Master Of Science In Education, Curriculum and Instruction

President Dan Hanson said, "As they embark on new careers, advance in current jobs or pursue advanced degrees, we hope our graduates remember fondly the role Peru State faculty, staff and administrators played in their success. We congratulate them on being part of the legion of Bobcat alumni who have made this institution great for 146 years and wish them all the best for a bright and successful future. It's been great to have each one as a student at Peru State."

In order to graduate summa cum laude (with highest distinction), a student must have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.90 to 4.0; for magna cum laude (with high distinction), 3.75 to 3.89; and for cum laude (with distinction), 3.50 to 3.74.

RIPON, WIS. (05/21/2013)(readMedia)-- Murray Stoffa, a Senior English major, has been named to the Dean's List at Ripon College for the spring 2013 semester, which recognizes academic excellence.

Stoffa is the child of COL Donald A. Stoffa of Davenport, IA .

To qualify for the Dean's List at Ripon College, students must achieve a 3.40 grade point average or higher on a 4.00 scale and complete at least 12 credits of regular letter-graded work.

About Ripon College

Ripon College, founded in 1851, prepares students of diverse interests for lives of productive, socially responsible citizenship. Ripon's liberal arts curriculum and residential campus create an intimate learning community in which students experience a richly personalized education. Ripon has consistently been recognized as a "best value" and "Best 376 College" by The Princeton Review, a "Best Buy in College Education" by Barron's, a "Best Liberal-Arts College" by Washington Monthly, a "Top 25 Schools for Do-Gooders" by Newsweek, among the top-tier and best-value colleges by U.S. News and World Report, and among the top 200 private colleges in the nation overall and for value by Forbes Magazine. For more information about Ripon College, visit www.ripon.edu.