The following individuals from your area have been named to the Dean's List at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for the Spring 2012 semester:

Jordyn Elizabeth O'Rourke from Davenport, a Nursing Undergraduate and Erica Renita Peace from Moline, a Letters & Science Undergradate.

 UWM is the second largest university in the State of Wisconsin, with more than 29,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
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Local farmers nominate school districts for America's Farmers Grow Rural Education?

DAVENPORT, IA. (August 1, 2012) - Winning a grant of $10,000 or $25,000 can enhance educational opportunities for a school district in a rural community. Davenport Community School District in Davenport was recently named as a finalist to receive consideration for an America's Farmers Grow Rural Education? grant. Davenport Community School District is one of 33 finalists in Iowa.

"We received so many outstanding applications from rural school districts across the county," said Deborah Patterson, President, Monsanto Fund. "The finalists truly went above and beyond what was expected and stand out as top tier choices."

More than 61,000 farmers shared their passion for rural education by nominating more than half the eligible school districts. Finalist schools were chosen for their program ideas and funding needs. Davenport Community School District also benefited from community support through numerous farmer nominations which strengthened the district's application.

The grant review process includes an online application scoring system based on merit, need and community support; a review by science and math teachers from ineligible school districts; and a farmer advisory council.

Now that the finalists have been chosen, the America's Farmers Grow Rural Education Advisory Council, a group of 26 farmer leaders from across the country, will select the winning grant applications. In 2012, the Monsanto Fund plans to award nearly $2.3 million to eligible school districts across the country. To see the full list of finalists please visit GrowRuralEducation.com

America's Farmers Grow Rural Education started with a successful pilot in Illinois and Minnesota, in which farmers were given the opportunity to nominate a public school district in 165 eligible counties in those two states. The Monsanto Fund awarded more than $266,000 to local schools in 16 CRDs. Now, the program has expanded to 1,245 eligible counties in 39 states.

America's Farmers Grow Rural Education is sponsored by the Monsanto Fund to help farmers positively impact their communities and support local rural school districts. This program is part of the Monsanto Fund's overall effort to support rural education and communities. Another program that is part of this effort is America's Farmers Grow Communities, giving farmers the opportunity to enter to win $2,500 to donate to their favorite community nonprofit organization in their county. You can participate in this program between Aug. 1 and Nov. 30 by visiting growcommunities.com.

About the Monsanto Fund

The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the farm communities where farmers and Monsanto Company employees live and work. Visit the Monsanto Fund at www.monsantofund.org.

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At the Quad Cities Campus located at 3620 Avenue of the Cities in Moline.

  • Thursday, August 23, 2012 from 5:00pm-8:00pm
  • Saturday, August 25, 2012 from 10:00am-2:00pm

Midwest Technical Institute will be hosting its Summer Open House Thursday, August 23 from 5pm to 8pm and Saturday, August 25 from 10am to 2pm. Midwest Technical Institute (MTI) has been a part of the Illinois community since 1995 and the Quad Cities campus was established in 2011. It is our mission to be a leader in promoting student learning and achievement in a variety of careers and trades. We currently have workforce training programs in the Mechanical Trades and Allied Health. Our programs include Journeyman Welding, HVAC - Major Appliance Repair, Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting, Pharmacy Tech and Massage Therapy. Midwest Technical Institute would like to welcome the general public and those interested in the school to come by and see the campus. The Instructors and Staff will be on hand to give tours and help answer any questions about our workforce training programs. For those interested in enrollment, our admissions and financial aid staff will be available to answer questions as well as to assist with enrollment paperwork and applying for financial aid. Please stop by and see what MTI has to offer.

Other items of interest:

Free blood pressure screenings to be performed by medical assisting students.

At Thursday's Open House, we will have our Lincoln Electric Virtual Reality Arc Welding Simulator available for the public to tryout. The simulator produces real-time, welding technique feedback similar to a video game. Come give welding a try!

Current students will be available to talk about their programs and experience at the school.

There will be door prizes.

Free food and drinks will be available.

Midwest Technical Institute - Quad Cities, 3620 Avenue of the Cities, Moline, IL 61265, 309-277-7900, www.midwesttech.edu

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Governor Pat Quinn signed into law a bill sponsored by Representative Rich Morthland (R-Cordova) eliminating the General Assembly Scholarship program in Illinois. For 52 years the program provided full tuition waivers for each State Representative to award to students in their home legislative districts to use at the State school of their choice.

 

"These were waivers, not scholarships," Morthland said. "Estimates suggest this unfunded mandate placed a $12 to $14 million burden annually on Illinois universities while the state already owes them tens of millions in overdue bills. In 2011, 1,327 tuition waivers were awarded in Illinois, costing approximately $13.5 million which was then passed on to tuition paying students. In these tough economic times, students and universities cannot afford to absorb this cost."

 

Recent investigations have uncovered a number of instances where General Assembly scholarships went to ineligible family members, campaign contributors and students outside of the legislative district.

 

"There has been too much misuse and fraud tied to legislative scholarships. Reform attempts didn't work and we continued to see instances of abuse. Eliminating these scholarships was the right thing to do."

 

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Inaugural gift supports community partnership in developing future workforce.

Rock Island, IL, 7-25-2012-Junior Achievement of the Heartland announced that it is has been awarded
a grant in the amount of $10,000 from Inpro/Seal. Junior Achievement of the Heartland is a local non-
profit providing services and support for over 55 years focusing on empowering young people to own
their economic success.

This contribution was supported in part through a new matching grant initiative by the philanthropic
arm of Inpro/Seal's parent company, Dover Corporation. The Dover Foundation helps to support
not-for-profit organizations, causes and / or projects that benefit the local communities in which its
Operating Companies are located.

"We are pleased to have selected Junior Achievement of the Heartland as the inaugural organization
to benefit from this program," commented Jason Putnam, Inpro/Seal's Giving Coordinator. "Junior
Achievement of the Heartland is a perfect partnership for our giving program as it fits well into Inpro/
Seal's culture of learning and teaching. We are excited to be making a difference in our community by
supporting an organization that teaches students skills needed to succeed in life."

"By partnering with Inpro/Seal, we are joining forces with an organization dedicated to education
and entrepreneurship," stated Barbara VenHorst, President, Junior Achievement of the
Heartland. "Together, we will help our youth develop the knowledge and skills they need to be
successful in the 21st century workplace through JA's work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial
literacy programs."

About Inpro/Seal:
The inventor of the original bearing isolator, Inpro/Seal has been delivering innovative sealing solutions
and outstanding customer service for more than 30 years. Their technologies increase the reliability of

rotating equipment and provide real cost savings by improving the mean time between repair (MTBR).
Inpro/Seal's superior customer service and streamlined production processes allow for

same or next-day shipments on most products, even new designs. Headquartered in Rock Island,
Illinois, Inpro/Seal maintains a global sales and distribution network to provide responsive, localized
support to customers worldwide and manufactures in both the United States and United Kingdom.
Inpro/Seal is a global business unit of Waukesha Bearings and Dover Corporation.

About Dover:
Dover Corporation is a multi-billion dollar diversified global manufacturer. For over 50 years, Dover has
been providing its customers with outstanding products and services in industrial technology that reflect
the company's commitment to operational excellence, innovation and market leadership. The company
focuses on innovative equipment and components, specialty systems and support services through its
four major operating segments: Energy Communication Technologies, Engineered Systems and Printing
& Identification. Dover is headquarted in Downers Grove, Illinois and employs nearly 34,000 people
worldwide. Dover Corporation is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under "DOV." Additional
information is available on the company's website at www.DoverCorporation.com.

About Junior Achievement USA® (JA)
Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge
and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and
fiscal choices. JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant,
hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in
financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. Today, JA reaches four million students per year
in more than 120 markets across the United States, with an additional 6.5 million students served by
operations in 117 other countries worldwide. Visit www.ja.org for more information.

Locally, Junior Achievement of the Heartland serves 24 counties in eastern Iowa, western Illinois and
Grant County in Wisconsin. Approximately 55,000 kindergarten through high school students benefit
from JA programs each year. Visit www.jaheartland.org to learn more about local programs.

Dubuque, Iowa -- Five-hundred-twelve undergraduate, graduate, and seminary students received their degrees during this year's University of Dubuque Commencement Ceremonies, held on Saturday, May 12, 2012.  Among those graduating were Keaton Frye of Davenport and Ryan Warner of Rock Island.

The University of Dubuque conferred degrees upon 390 undergraduate and 78 graduate students during its 160th College Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 12, beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the Grand River Center in the Port of Dubuque. Dr. Calvin Coquillette, assistant professor of history, emeritus, delivered the Commencement Address.

The University's Seminary conferred degrees upon 44 students - 39 master of divinity, 1 master of arts in religion, 2 master of missional Christianity, 2 doctor of ministry, and 1 certificate in theological studies - during the Seminary Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 12 at 9:30 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Barbara G. Wheeler, director of Auburn Theological Seminary's Center for the Study of Theological Education, delivered the Seminary's Commencement Address.

The University of Dubuque, founded in 1852, is a private, coeducational, professional University with a focus in the liberal arts.

Greeley, Colo. -- Kathleen McNamara, Bettendorf, has been named to the Dean's List of Distinction (Dean's List) in recognition of her outstanding scholarship during the 2011-12 academic year at the University of Northern Colorado.

DES MOINES, IA (07/26/2012)(readMedia)-- The following local residents graduated from Drake University at the conclusion of the 2012 spring semester:

Seth Kaufmann of Davenport, IA graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Law, Politics & Society and History.

Elizabeth Thoms of Rock Island, IL graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Management and Marketing.

Drake is a private, independent university in Des Moines, Iowa, with an enrollment of approximately 3,300 full-time undergraduate students from 50 states and 50 countries. Drake University's mission is to provide an exceptional learning environment that prepares students for meaningful personal lives, professional accomplishments and responsible global citizenship. The Drake experience is distinguished by collaborative learning among students, faculty and staff and by the integration of the liberal arts and sciences with professional preparation.

Ames, Iowa - The Iowa State University College of Human Sciences and its academic departments offered over $800,000 in scholarships to students for the 2012-2013 academic year.

Local recipients include :

Stephanie Blaser, senior from Bettendorf, dietetics major and Assumption High School graduate and daughter of Mark and Nancy Blaser, receives the Helen A. Foster Scholarship, College of Human Sciences, and the Bonnie Glatz Scholarship in Food Science and Human Nutrition, Food Science and Human Nutrition.

Taylor Finney, senior from Bettendorf, apparel, merchandising, and design major and Bettendorf High School graduate, Sherril and Charles Finney, receives the Barbara and Alf Odegaard Scholarship, Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management, and the Polly Baichly Fund Scholarship, College of Human Sciences

Elizabeth Fry, junior from Bettendorf, kinesiology and health major and Bettendorf High School graduate, daughter of Don and Kathy Fry, receives the Achievement Award and the CHS Honors Scholarship, College of Human Sciences,

Amanda Haffarnan, senior from Bettendorf, a nutritional science, genetics, and dietetics major and Bettendorf High School graduate, daughter of Robert and Wendy Haffarnan, receives the Letitia Jones Olson Scholarship and the Doris A. Adams Scholarship, Food Science and Human Nutrition.

Lindsay Hoffman, Bettendorf, MS candidate in diet and exercise, Pleasant Valley High School graduate receives the ISU Dietetic Alumni Scholarship and the Agnes Frances Carlin Scholarship, Food Science and Human Nutrition.

Benjamin Stecker, senior from Bettendorf, kinesiology and health major and Pleasant Valley High School graduate, son of Kim and Tim Stecker, receives the Achievement Award, College of Human Sciences,

Sara Turke, freshman from Bettendorf, apparel, merchandising, and design major and Pleasant Valley High School graduate, daughter of Stephen and Sally Turke, receives the Multicultural Award, College of Human Sciences

Kelly Wagner, senior from Bettendorf, dietetics major and Bettendorf High School graduate,  child of Mark and Kim Wagner, receives the International Experiences Scholarship and the Wayne H. and Gladys T. Scholtes Scholarship, College of Human Sciences, Elinor and Walter Fehr Family Fund Scholarship, Food Science and Human Nutrition.

Samantha Zust from Bettendorf, kinesiology and health major and Pleasant Valley High School graduate, daughter of Brad and Georgene Zust, receives the Dean's Scholarship, College of Human Sciences

Megan  Strong, freshman from Blue Grass, IA, dietetics major and West High School graduate, daughter of Tonya and Jason Strong, receives the Frances L. Harding Thiesfeld Scholarship, Food Science and Human Nutrition.

Hannah Adams, junior from Davenport, apparel, merchandising, and design major and graduate of Assumption High School, daughter of Don and Mary Adams receives the Elizabeth Beveridge Memorial Endowment Fund, College of Human Sciences.

Vanessa McNeal from Davenport, child, adult, and family services major and Central High School graduate, daughter of Deb and James McNeal, receives the Charlotte Gustafson Akins Home Economics Scholarship and the Jan Korslund Endowed Fund Scholarship, College of Human Sciences.

Sally Stringham, sophomore from Davenport, apparel, merchandising, and design major and graduate of Central High School, daughter of Jeff and Jill Stringham, receives the Barbara and Alf Odegaard Scholarship, Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management.

Alexandra Howard, junior from Erie, IL, elementary education major and graduate of Erie High School, daughter of Matt and Patty Howard, receives the Maxine Dennis Brown Scholarship and the Iva and Stephen Inman Scholarship, College of Human Sciences.

ROCK ISLAND, IL (07/25/2012)(readMedia)-- Thirteen Augustana College students are currently completing internships in Houston, Texas, as part of the Texas Medical Center summer research internship program and will return at the beginning of August.

Douglas Peters, a senior from Port Byron, Ill. majoring in biology and neuroscience. Peters is interning in Houston at Baylor College of Medicine.

Now in its seventh year, the Augustana College internship program sends 10-15 students to the Texas Medical Center to serve as full-time interns in a variety of disciplines.

Dr. Heidi Storl, professor of philosophy and the director of the Texas Medical Center internships at Augustana, said "Students are chosen on the basis of their academic and personal merits."

This summer Augustana students are conducting research in biochemistry, psychology, public health, neuroscience, speech pathology, clinical ethics and human resources.

At Augustana, students choosing to complete an internship can receive financial support from the college thanks to a program launched in 2009 called Augie Choice. Focused on advancing student learning in the liberal arts, Augie Choice grants students in their junior year or beyond the opportunity to receive a one-time grant of $2,000 to offset the expenses of study abroad, an internship or research project. Augie Choice funding, which recently surpassed the $1.5-million milestone, is a visible symbol of the college's commitment to experiential learning as a way of preparing students to stand out among their peers.

About Augustana: Founded in 1860 and situated on a 115-acre campus near the Mississippi River, Augustana College is a private, liberal arts institution affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The college enrolls 2,500 students from diverse geographic, social, ethnic and religious backgrounds and offers nearly 90 majors and related areas of study. Augustana employs 182 full-time faculty and has a student-faculty ratio of 12:1. Augustana continues to do what it has always done: challenge and prepare students for lives of leadership and service in our complex, ever-changing world.

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