08 Feb 2010

IMSA Students From Throughout Illinois Place Top in World Math Contest

By Brenda Buschbacher

AURORA - Two teams from the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) received the highest ranking possible in the 12th annual international High School Mathematical Contest in Modeling (HiMCM).  Their performance placed IMSA among the top eight schools in the world in this year's competition.

The IMSA team including Paul Chung of Barrington, Derek Hardin of Morton Grove, Bonny Jain of Moline, Seohyun (Chris) Kim of Schaumburg, Vladislav Kontsevoi of  Evanston, Andrew Lee of  Darien, Sid Narayanan of  Dunlap and Yanchen (Jack) Shi of  Dunlap received the rank of "National Outstanding".  Only eight teams out of 277 that competed worldwide received this ranking.  A second IMSA team including Webster Guan of Lisle, Peter Lu of Lisle, Nolan Maloney of Naperville and Stanley Yuan of Naperville received the rank of "Regional Outstanding."

Although international studies generally place the United States in the middle of the pack compared to other countries, IMSA President Dr. Max McGee noted that IMSA's students have proven to be among the best in the world, in international competitions.

"For the fifth consecutive year, IMSA's math teams have received the highest ranking possible in this international event showcasing how mathematics can be used to solve some of the world's most challenging scientific, economic and social problems," McGee said.  "IMSA students and coaches, both past and present, are to be commended for this amazing achievement."

The High School Mathematical Contest in Modeling is a 36-hour contest where each team is expected to solve a mathematical modeling problem.  Each team then prepares and submits a paper discussing their solution to the problem.

IMSA's "National Outstanding" team had to build a mathematical model to devise an effective, feasible, and cost-efficient national water strategy for 2010 to meet the projected needs of the United Stated in 2025.  In particular, the model had to address storage and movement, de-salinization and conservation as some of the possible components of the strategy while considering the economic, physical, cultural and environmental effects.  Students then had to provide a position paper for the United States Congress outlining their approach, its costs and why it is the best choice for the nation.

IMSA's "Regional Outstanding" team had to create a mathematical model to compare the devastation of various-sized earthquakes and their resulting Tsuanis on the following cities:  Boston, MA; Charleston, SC; Hilo, HI;  New Orleans, LA;  New York, NY; and San Francisco, CA.  Students then had to prepare an article for the local newspaper that explained what was discovered in the model about one of those cities.

Outstanding teams will have their solution papers (or their solution abstracts) published in COMAP's Consortium newsletter among other places.  More information on the contest can be found at http://www.comap.com/highschool/contests/himcm/.

The internationally recognized Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) develops creative, ethical leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.  As a teaching and learning laboratory created by the State of Illinois, IMSA enrolls academically talented Illinois students (grades 10-12) in its advanced, residential college preparatory program, and it serves thousands of educators and students in Illinois and beyond through innovative instructional programs that foster imagination and inquiry. IMSA also advances education through research, groundbreaking ventures and strategic partnerships. (www.imsa.edu)

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08 Feb 2010

Iowa Wesleyan College Announces Fall Semester Dean's List

By Martha Potts-Bell

MOUNT PLEASANT, IA (02/04/2010)(readMedia)-- Dr. Nancy Erickson, vice president for academic affairs at Iowa Wesleyan College, Mount Pleasant, has announced the names of students who have qualified for the 2009 fall semester Dean's List. To qualify for the Dean's List, a student must attain a grade point average of 3.50 or better on a 4.00 scale with 10 credit hours or more and no incomplete grades at the time the list is declared.

Those from the Quad Cities area include :

Timothy Bean, a Senior from Durant, IA

Meredith Frasier, a Senior from Moline, IL

Travis Parker, a Senior from Taylor Ridge, IL

Ayla Serrano, a Freshman from Rock Island, IL

The mission of Iowa Wesleyan College is to prepare students to succeed in a changing global environment. Iowa Wesleyan is a four year liberal arts college providing quality, individualized learning experiences that combine the development of the intellect with adaptive life skills. The college is affiliated with the United Methodist Church, with which it shares a commitment to spiritual values, social justice and human welfare.

Iowa Wesleyan College is the oldest private coeducational liberal arts college west of the Mississippi River. For more information about Iowa Wesleyan College please visit the website at www.iwc.edu

08 Feb 2010

RIVERMONT JOINS ACADEMIC FAIR WITH EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT TO COMMUNITY

By Brittany Marietta

The Quad City community and members of the press are invited to Rivermont Collegiate's 2009-10 Academic Fair, which will be immediately followed by an exciting announcement regarding future student opportunities at the School.  Join us on Thursday, February 11th at 6:00 p.m. to immerse yourself in knowledge and information as Rivermont students share a diverse assortment of projects at the Academic Fair.  Over 130 projects will be on display in the gymnasium, where guests and students will gather to view the results of months of research. Stay to hear the results of projects entered into competition, which will be followed by a special announcement from Headmaster Richard St. Laurent at approximately 7:15 p.m.

The annual Academic Fair is a proud tradition at Rivermont, with projects that span numerous academic areas, from inventions to genealogy to the performance of living biographies.  Guests will also have the opportunity to take guided tours of the Rivermont campus, which includes the historic Joseph Bettendorf Mansion, and learn more about Rivermont Collegiate.  The Academic Fair is the culmination of months of students' hard work - prepare to be amazed! The Rivermont community could not be more eager to pair this display of academic merit with our exciting announcement to the community!

04 Feb 2010

College-Bound Students Should Apply Now for Financial Aid

By Heather Doe


Des Moines, IA, February 3, 2010 - Now is the time for college-bound students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2010-2011 academic year.  The FAFSA is a standardized federal form used to determine eligibility for federal, state, and in some cases, institutional financial aid.
Filing the FAFSA is easier this year with fewer questions to answer and a simplified online process.  "We encourage students and parents to complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.gov because it contains instructions, help features, and built-in edits to reduce applicant error," explained Karen Misjak, Executive Director of the Iowa College Student Aid Commission (Iowa College Aid).  "It is also processed faster than the paper version, which can be an important factor when meeting financial aid deadlines."

Iowa College Aid urges all college-bound students to complete the FAFSA regardless of their financial situation.  "Most families are eligible for some form of financial aid, but they need to apply early to meet the priority deadlines associated with different programs," said Misjak.
To help Iowa families, Iowa College Aid offers the following FAFSA filing tips.

File the FAFSA no matter your financial situation.  Even if you do not think you will qualify for need-based financial aid, you should still file the FAFSA.  Many colleges require that you file the FAFSA to be considered for institutional aid.  In addition, you are required to complete a FAFSA to be eligible for federal Stafford loans.

Never pay to file the FAFSA.  You can file the FAFSA for free at www.fafsa.gov.  Reputable resources, such as Iowa College Aid, are available to help you for free.

Meet state and college deadlines.  Many states, including Iowa, have a FAFSA filing deadline for state-funded scholarships, grants and work-study opportunities.  To be eligible for Iowa-funded financial aid your FAFSA must be completed and received at the federal processing center prior to July 1, 2010.  You also need to complete the Iowa Financial Aid Application, which can be accessed through the statewide community web portal,

www.IHaveaPlanIowa.gov.  Keep in mind, most colleges and universities have earlier financial aid deadlines.  Students should check with their college of choice to determine its priority deadline for financial aid and if additional documentation is required.

Double check information to avoid delays.  Review your FAFSA information before you submit it for processing.  Make sure the student's Social Security number and the parent's Social Security number are typed in the correct spaces.  Mix-ups like these will cause processing delays.

Electronically sign your FAFSA.  The electronic application is not complete until both the student and parent electronically sign the FAFSA using their Federal Student Aid Personal Identification Numbers (PIN).  You can apply for student and parent PINs while completing the FAFSA online, or you can go to the Federal Student Aid PIN website at www.pin.ed.gov.

Students and families who have questions about applying for financial aid, or are interested in learning more about the resources available through the statewide community web portal, can contact Iowa College Aid's Information Service Center at 877-272-4456.  In addition, more information to help Iowa families plan, prepare and pay for college is available on Iowa College Aid's website at www.IowaCollegeAid.gov.

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04 Feb 2010

NAVAL ACADEMY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR STEM (SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING MATH) PROGRAM

By Jennifer M. Erickson

ANNAPOLIS, Md.–Applications are being accepted Feb. 1 through April 1 for the United States Naval Academy (USNA) Summer STEM Program 2010.  STEM is held in three sessions: June 7-12, June 14-19 and June 21-26.  The academy's Summer STEM Program is an overnight academic camp designed for rising 8th-11th grade students in good academic standing who have an interest in math and science.

The STEM Program gives students the opportunity to experience real-life applications of math and science principles through hands-on practical learning.  Students will learn from distinguished Naval Academy professors in world-class lab facilities that provide a unique learning environment outside the traditional classroom.  The academy's current students, known as midshipmen, help run the Summer STEM Program and act as camp counselors and tutors to students.

Students and parents with questions about the Summer STEM Program and the application process should call (410)293-1858 or visit www.usna.edu/admissions. The deadline for applications is April 1. Applicants will be notified of their application status in the month of May.

MONDAY: Travel and Check-in

TUESDAY: Air and Space Museum/DC Tour

WEDNESDAY: So What Really Happened to the Titanic? the Challenger? the Ford Pinto?  The tragedy of the Titanic, as well as other engineering disasters have served to foster many technological discoveries and innovations. As you learn more, you will break steel and investigate crash mechanics. You'll examine Material Fingerprints to characterize technical crimes. You will visit the USNA Hydromechanics and Fluids Laboratories to study hull designs and structures and in the Aero Laboratories, you will investigate the forces of nature.

THURSDAY: Cryptography, Computers and Code, Forensics and Fingerprints.  Can you break the code? Learn how mathematics, computer science, and engineering have been used throughout history to keep messages hidden and cryptic. Create and program your own video game to solve a crime in 3-D. Use chemical analysis to solve crime and investigate fingerprinting of physical phenomenon.

FRIDAY: Biometrics, Electronics, Robotics. Learn how technological advances in engineering assist in catching criminals, spies and other bad guys. Build and program your robot to master the maze. Wire and solder your own electronic device for voice modulation. A tour of the USNA Biometrics Laboratory will find you performing iris scans and facial recognition techniques.

SATURDAY: Open House and Demonstrations.  Share your new skills with your parents and friends. End the week by putting your projects on display.

Approximately 200 total students from around the U.S. will be invited to STEM.  All students selected to participate will receive a full scholarship to attend this academic summer program.  For more information about the Naval Academy STEM program, visit www.usna.edu/admissions.  For more information about the Naval Academy, visit www.usn.edu.

02 Feb 2010

Kaplan University Announces Winter 2010 Online Graduates

By readMedia Newswire
Kaplan University celebrated the graduation of its winter 2010 class during a live ceremony on Jan. 30 in Miami, FL. General Colin L. Powell, the 65th Secretary of State and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, served as the commencement speaker. The following local students were awarded degrees:
  • Stacy Bramstedt of Blue Grass, IA, was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
  • Catherine Hoy of Davenport, IA, was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
  • Amber R. Long of Taylor Ridge, IL, was awarded a Associate of Applied Science in Accounting.
  • Genenda Milloy of Moline, IL, was awarded a Master of Arts in Teacher Education.
  • Nichole R. Payney of Rock Island, IL, was awarded a Associate of Applied Science in Health Sciences.
  • Amber L. Runge of Davenport, IA, was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.
  • Corey Thompson of Davenport, IA, was awarded a Master of Education in Teacher Education.

"You can improve yourselves using the incredible power of this revolution [in online education] ...It's how Kaplan University has grown and continues to grow. This revolution will speed through this country because of its effectiveness and power," Gen. Powell told the graduates during the ceremony at the James L. Knight International Center in Miami. "Today celebrate your achievements; tomorrow get back online and determine what you are going to do next."

The Kaplan University winter 2010 class of more than 3,300 students earned their associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees - as well as professional certificates - completely online. Many of them traveled from around the country and the world to attend the ceremony, meeting face-to-face for the first time.

About Kaplan University

Kaplan University offers a different school of thought for higher education. It strives to help adult students unlock their talent by providing a practical, student-centered education that prepares them for careers in some of the fastest-growing industries. Based in Davenport, Iowa, the University is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). Kaplan University offers more than 125 academic programs and serves more than 63,000 online and campus-based students. To learn more about Kaplan University, visit www.kaplan.edu/talent.

01 Feb 2010

Grassley Q & A: Internships

By Sen. Charles Grassley

Q:        What internship opportunities do you offer to Iowa students?

A: I strongly encourage and welcome college-age Iowans to intern in my Washington and Iowa offices.  Internships are available during the spring and fall semesters and for two six-week summer sessions.  Internships are an excellent educational opportunity where students get first-hand exposure to the legislative branch and learn about the process of representative government that's at the heart of America's democracy.  Depending on the college, these internships may qualify for course credit.  Internships also are an excellent way for young people to gain work experience in an area of interest.  More than half of the current permanent staff members in my office were interns.

Q:        What type of work do interns do?

A: Interns get put to work in my office.  They're assigned their own desks and responsibilities.  Duties include assisting permanent staff members in the administrative, legislative and communications departments, as well as the staff I hire for the Finance and Judiciary committees in the Senate.  Tasks include scheduling appointments, giving Capitol tours, answering phones, organizing press clippings, helping constituents with questions, drafting letters to government agencies, researching issues and policy proposals, and more.

Q:        How do students apply for your internships?

A: Interested students should visit http://grassley.senate.gov, print out a form, and send applications to cory_crowley@grassley.senate.gov or 202-224-6020 (fax).  Applying by email or fax avoids security-related delays in postal mail delivery to the U.S. Senate office buildings.  Also, my offices in Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Sioux City and Waterloo, as well as the placement offices of Iowa colleges and universities, all have copies of Grassley internship application forms.  The application deadline for Summer 2010 internships is March 15, 2010.  I hope many students consider an internship.  If you have questions, please call my internship coordinator, Cory Crowley, at 202-224-3744.

01 Feb 2010

Local students graduate from Augustana College

By readMedia Newswire

ROCK ISLAND, IL (01/29/2010)(readMedia)-- Augustana College is pleased to announce the fall graduates of 2009. Students were awarded their Bachelor of Arts degree at the completion of fall term in November.

From your area, the following students graduated:

  • Andrew Brown from Port Bryon, IL who majored in business management
  • Katherine Caldwell from Moline, IL who majored in theatre
  • Adam Friedrich from Port Bryon, IL who majored in philosophy
  • Clayton Holst from Davenport, IA who majored in biology
  • Emilie Malone from Davenport, IA who majored in sociology
  • Zachary Newcomb from Rock Island, IL who majored in philosophy
  • Kate Nielsen from Davenport, IL who majored in biology
  • Mourad Belahsen was awarded their Bachelor of Arts degree at the completion of the summer term in August.  Belahsen, from Moline, majored in business finance.

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 (ELCA). The college enrolls 2,500 students from diverse geographic, social, ethnic and religious backgrounds and offers more than 60 majors and areas of study. Augustana employs 226 faculty and has a student-faculty ratio of 11:1. 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.

01 Feb 2010

Local Students Named To President's & Dean's Lists At Drake University

By Randy Stalsberg

The following local students have been named to the President's List at Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa. This academic honor is achieved by earning a straight-A grade point average of 4.0 during the Fall 2009 semester at Drake.

Kelsey Berneking of Bettendorf, IA

Lauren Brandt of Bettendorf, IA

Stephanie Gibb-Clark of Moline, IL

Drew Luder of Moline, IL

Steven Merrick of Eldridge, IA

Erika Milas of Bettendorf, IA

Taylor Odegard of Le Claire, IA

Marshall Phares of Princeton, IA

Caitlin Pryor of Bettendorf, IA

 

Abby Sheehan of Bettendorf, IA

Rachel Vogel of Moline, IL

Kelsey Wells of Bettendorf, IA

The following local students have been named to the Dean's List at Drake University. This academic honor is achieved by earning a grade point average of 3.5 or higher during the Fall 2009 semester at Drake.

Jonathon Allred of Davenport, IA

Christopher Beck of Bettendorf, IA

Kristin Blough of Davenport, IA

Leah Christensen of Bettendorf, IA

Emily Cleek of Moline, IL

Scott Copeland of Davenport, IA

Ryan Curtis of Donahue, IA

Aaron Dammann of Bettendorf, IA

Jared Dammann of Bettendorf, IA

Alise Farrell of Davenport, IA

Katherine Foley of Davenport, IA

Eder Fonseca of Moline, IL

Andrea Glasgow of Walcott, IA

Kathryn Hamilton of Blue Grass, IA

Ryan Hendricks of Rock Island, IL

Evan Lawrence of Moline, IL

Jami McCubbin of Long Grove, IA

Stephanie Merrick of Eldridge, IA

Anthony Milas of Bettendorf, IA

Mary Miller of Milan, IL

Jordan Porter of Eldridge, IA

Chelsea Rink of Davenport, IA

Charles Schwartz of Bettendorf, IA

Erika Sevigny of Davenport, IA

Elizabeth Thoms of Rock Island, IL

James VanEchaute of Moline, IL

Phillip VerBeke of Port Byron, IL

Leah Wrath of Moline, IL

Drake is a private, independent university in Des Moines, Iowa, with an enrollment of approximately 3,200 full-time undergraduate students from 45 states and 62 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.

28 Jan 2010

Eastern Iowa CC sets record for spring enrollment

By Alan Campbell

With 19 percent growth from just one year ago, Eastern Iowa Community College District (EICCD) has set a new enrollment record for its spring session of 8,336 students.

EICCD includes Clinton, Muscatine and Scott Community Colleges. The current enrollment easily eclipses the previous record of 7,145 set in 2005 and is more than 1,300 students higher than the 7,005 attending in the spring, 2009. The spring numbers follow a similar record set by the three colleges this past fall.

"There is a great sense of excitement at our colleges as we welcome so many new students," said EICCD Chancellor Dr. Pat Keir. "Other than possibly in the early years immediately after the colleges were founded, we have never seen such a dramatic growth in a single year.  It is a very satisfying feeling to know that students put such great trust in us and our educational offerings."

All three colleges registered enrollment gains for the spring semester with Clinton Community College reporting 1,855 students, Muscatine Community College, 1,534, and Scott Community College, 4,945.

The Clinton Community College (CCC) number is notable because it is the highest the college has ever registered in any semester, fall or spring. The total tops CCC's previous record of 1,596 set this past fall.

"We have many people to thank for making this happen; first and foremost are the more than 8,000 students who have chosen to continue their education with us," Dr. Keir said. "In addition to that are all the faculty and staff who have worked so hard to accommodate our students. Even with this sudden growth, their work is making it possible for us to provide the same quality education to students as we always have."

College officials mention current economic factors as one of the reasons for the record enrollment. Many of the new students are individuals who have been recently laid off and are entering one of the colleges' more than 50 career programs for re-training in a new job field. Approximately 2000 of the colleges' students are 30 years of age or older.

The colleges are also seeing an increase in the number of traditional age students just graduating from high school. Those students and their parents are turning to the community colleges as an affordable option for the first two years of a four-year degree program or for their career training.

EICCD maintains formal transfer agreements with area private colleges and the state universities, making it easy for students to transfer their credits once they graduate from the community colleges.

Tuition at the three colleges is $112 per credit hour, roughly $3,500 per year for a full-time student taking 16 credit hours per semester.

"While we did raise tuition this past academic year to react to cuts in our state funding, we made every effort to keep it as minimal as possible," Dr. Keir said. "We are committed to keeping our tuition among the lowest in the state so that a college or technical education is available to everyone."

Government grants are available for those in need of financial assistance. In addition, all three colleges have foundations that provide scholarship opportunities for students. Some of those scholarships are based on need but many others are based on academic ability, the student's program of study and a number of other factors. Everyone is encouraged to apply for scholarships, even if they think they won't qualify. The deadline for filing for the fall 2010 session is April 1.

Other growth areas for EICCD have been its online programs and high school delivery.

Through a cooperative effort with other Iowa community colleges, students can earn their Associate in Arts degree entirely via the internet. In addition, the colleges offer career training in such areas as Health Information Technology and Health, Safety and Environmental Technology. More than 1,000 students are enrolled in the college's online classes.

The district also works closely with many high schools in its service area to offer college-level classes to current high school students.

Many of those classes are held in the high schools, making it convenient for students to attend as part of their regular class schedule.

To make room for the increased student enrollment, Clinton, Muscatine and Scott Community Colleges will soon be opening new science additions at each college. Clinton Community College opened its new Maquoketa Center last summer and Scott Community College will be opening a new Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Center in July.  All of these additions were made possible thanks to a bond referendum passed by voters in 2007.

For more information about EICCD or any of its colleges go online to www.eicc.edu or call 1-888-336-3907.

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