DEKALB, IL (01/23/2015)(readMedia)-- Northern Illinois University announces the awarding of graduate and undergraduate degrees at the conclusion of the fall 2014 session. The following local residents are recent graduates of Northern Illinois University (NIU), joining 225,000 alumni who are putting the university's promise of student career success into action:

Megan Sheley of East Moline, IL. Megan graduated with a BSED degree.

Mehmet Badur of Moline, IL. Mehmet graduated with a BS degree.

Aaron McKeown of Moline, IL. Aaron graduated with a BS degree.

Anna Kreiser of Geneseo, IL. Anna graduated with a MS degree.

Jonathan Krell of Rock Island, IL. Jonathan graduated with a MS degree.

Katie Granger of Rock Island, IL. Katie graduated with a BS degree.

Clayton Buckrop of Rock Island, IL. Clayton graduated with a BA degree.

Graduate degrees were conferred Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014. Undergraduate degrees were conferred Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014.

Chartered in 1895, NIU first opened its doors as the Northern Illinois State Normal School in 1899 as a teachers college. The university has grown since into a world-class, research-focused public institution that attracts students from across Illinois, the country and the world.


CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (January 23, 2015) - Kirkwood Community College has released its Dean's List for the Fall 2014 semester. These students have achieved a 3.3 grade point average or higher after completing 12 or more credit hours with the college.

Kirkwood students from the area earning this distinction are listed below.

- 30 -

HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME, COUNTY

Bettendorf, IA

Caylin Lopshire
Zoey Luke
Emily Marriott
Andrew Rauwolf
Chelsea Wehrle
Alex West

Davenport, IA

James Campbell
Taylor Clark
Ryan Corbin
Veronica Fleming
Raegan Menke
Jacob Turner
Ellie Wilder

DEKALB, IL (01/22/2015)(readMedia)-- Northern Illinois University announces students who have been named to the Dean's List for the fall 2014 semester.

Jacob Blair of Silvis, IL was recognized as a Dean's List student in Enterprise Software

Jessica Carlson of Moline, IL was recognized as a Dean's List student in International Politics - B.A.

Katie Granger of Rock Island, IL was recognized as a Dean's List student in Child Development

Terrance Gray of East Moline, IL was recognized as a Dean's List student in 2-D Studio

Ryan Mack of Moline, IL was recognized as a Dean's List student in Rhetoric/Public Comm - B.A.

Aaron McKeown of Moline, IL was recognized as a Dean's List student in Mechanical Engineering - B.S.

Rachel Mushimata of East Moline, IL was recognized as a Dean's List student in Pre-Nursing

Andrew Pearson of Milan, IL was recognized as a Dean's List student in Meteorology

Darby Sawyer of Milan, IL was recognized as a Dean's List student in Elementary Educ-General

Tyler Scannell of Silvis, IL was recognized as a Dean's List student in Marketing - B.S.

Mark Steele of Geneseo, IL was recognized as a Dean's List student in Electrical and Computer Engr

Stephanie Thodos of East Moline, IL was recognized as a Dean's List student in Early Child Stud-Type 04 Cert

Andrew Widmar of East Moline, IL was recognized as a Dean's List student in Electrical and Computer Engr

Each semester's Dean's List is compiled by NIU's academic colleges according to student grade point averages.

To earn this distinction, students must meet a minimum semester grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale in the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology or a minimum of 3.75 on a 4.0 in the colleges of Business; Education; Health and Human Sciences; Liberal Arts and Sciences; or Visual and Performing Arts to receive this distinction.

Chartered in 1895, NIU first opened its doors as the Northern Illinois State Normal School in 1899 as a teachers college. The university has grown since into a world-class, research-focused public institution that attracts students from across Illinois, the country and the world.

NIU students have the opportunity to build their lives while they are here and create the foundation for achieving career success after they graduate: NIU counts 225,000 alumni who are putting that promise to work.

Hindus are urging Iowa schools, public as well as private, which have significant number of Hindu students, to include Diwali, the most popular Hindu holy day, as a school holiday in their 2015-2016 school calendars and beyond.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, said that it was not fair with Hindu pupils and their families as they had to attend school on their most popular festival while many schools in the state were closed on some other religious holidays.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, indicated that this unfairness did not send a good signal to the impressionable minds of schoolchildren who would be the leaders of tomorrow. Holidays of all major religions should be honored and no one should be penalized for practicing their religion. Moreover, it was important to meet the religious and spiritual needs of these students, Zed added

Rajan Zed stressed that since it was important for Hindu families to celebrate Diwali day together at home with their children, we did not want our children to be deprived of any privileges at the school because of thus resulting absences on this day. Closing schools on Diwali would ensure that and it would be a step in the right direction.

Zed noted that awareness about other religions thus created by such holidays like Diwali would make the Iowa pupils well-nurtured, well-balanced, and enlightened citizens of tomorrow. It would make the state look good also besides bringing cohesion and unity in the community.

Rajan Zed further says that Hinduism is rich in festivals and religious festivals are very dear and sacred to Hindus. Diwali, the festival of lights, aims at dispelling the darkness and lighting up the lives and symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Besides Hindus, Sikhs and Jains and some Buddhists also celebrate Diwali, which falls on November 11 in 2015. Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal. There are about three million Hindus in USA.

OSKALOOSA, Iowa (January 21, 2015) - William Penn University is pleased to announce that [Name] of [City], [State] has been named to the President's List for the fall 2014 semester. To be included on the President's List, a student must complete at least 12 hours of credit with a minimum grade point average of 3.9 on a 4.0 scale.

Wlliam Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa offers both post-secondary and adult education programs. Founded by Quakers in 1873, we strive to provide a vibrant learning community where all students grow intellectually, socially, and spiritually through academic, creative and athletic pursuits.

For more information, visit the university's website at www.wmpenn.edu or call 1-800-779-7366.

- 30 -

HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME

Bettendorf, IA

Carmen Wetzel

Davenport, IA

Margaret Doud
Amy Roefer
Erica Smigo

AMES, Iowa (January 21, 2015) - More than 7,980 Iowa State University undergraduates have been recognized for outstanding academic achievement by being named to the 2014 fall semester Dean's List.

Students named to the Dean's List must have earned a grade point average of at least 3.50 on a 4.00 scale while carrying a minimum of 12 credit hours of graded course work.

Students listed below who qualified for the Dean's List are from your area.

- 30 -

HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME, CURRICULUM Bettendorf, IA

Michelle Lee Anderson, Child, Adult, and Family Services
Alison Marie Aquino, Kinesiology and Health
Hannah Kristine Bankson, Elementary Education
Elizabeth Claire Bartlett, Animal Ecology
Megan Lynn Beck, Mechanical Engineering
Reid Chandler Behrens, Civil Engineering
Katelyn M. Bell, Industrial Engineering
Alaina Marie Berkenbosch, Pre-Business
Jamie Marie Blaser, Event Management
Laura K. Blaser, Biology (AGLS)
James Dewey Boddie, Software Engineering
Kellen Matthew Bohn, Kinesiology and Health
Zachary P. Bowerman, Political Science
Shelby Ann Brandt, Marketing
Isaac G. Bries, Electrical Engineering
Jared Michael Brown, Marketing
Maria Frances Brown, Engineering
Kailey Victoria Bueker, Elementary Education
Kelly Marie Butcher, Psychology
Dallas Donnell Carter, Mechanical Engineering
Griffen Gerald Clark, Software Engineering
Anne B. Cramond, Supply Chain Management
Michael Anthoney Day, Industrial Design
Nicholas Richard Deasy, Architecture-Professional Degree
Kathleen Dilley, Elementary Education
Rachel Erin Dolehanty, Elementary Education
Tyler Frank Dunlavy, Mechanical Engineering
Kaitlyn Marie Dvorak, Kinesiology and Health
Dillan P. Dwyer, Mechanical Engineering
Zachary J. Edwards, Accounting
Brendan David Elizondo, Interdisciplinary Studies
Safwan Elkhatib, Kinesiology and Health
Kierstyn Feld, Pre-Architecture
Evan Nolan Foley, Computer Engineering
Kevin Lee Garter, Forestry
Ian Casey Graham, Mathematics
Jeffrey Curtis Haacke, Management Information Systems
Alexander James Hanson, Journalism and Mass Communication
Allison Marie Harmon, Elementary Education
Andrew J. Hartman, Computer Engineering
Andrew Russell Healey, Construction Engineering
Lucy Gladwin Heiderscheit, Psychology
Colin David Helland, Mechanical Engineering
Kyle Craig Hollenback, Aerospace Engineering
Sarah Wade Huber, Electrical Engineering
Tessa Nicole James, Dietetics (H SCI)
Ellen Bernice Justis, Music
Jennifer Leanne Klindt, Agricultural Business
Benjamin Michael Krause, Environmental Science (AGLS)
Alexander Ernest Krist, Civil Engineering
Christopher Ross Lamphier, Supply Chain Management
Michelle J. Larsen, Industrial Engineering
Anne Elyse Leners, Mechanical Engineering
Andrew M. Lensch, Construction Engineering
Kera Linn, Dietetics (H SCI)
Lance Tyler Lipovic, Graphic Design
Sarah Maikon, Open Option (LAS)
Margaret Maneca Martens, Apparel, Merchandising, and Design
Jennifer Lynn Martin, Psychology
Maxwell Ryan McDaniel, History
Jill Christine Mekalson, Hospitality Management
Alexander C. Menke, Mechanical Engineering
Tyler Benjamin Meseke, Biology
Amanda Lauren Miller, Kinesiology and Health
Austin J. Miller, Mechanical Engineering
Sarah Elizabeth Miller, Genetics (LAS)
Wage Franklin Miller, Electrical Engineering
Mary Kate Misak, Event Management
Catherine Helen Mullen, Biology (AGLS)
Sean Keller Mullen, Mechanical Engineering
Mary Nuernberger, Veterinary Medicine
Emily M. Oswald, Psychology
James Vance Park, Biology
Ashley Marie Parry, Open Option (LAS)
Regina Annette Pauly, English
Nathaniel Allen Perk, Mechanical Engineering
Kyle Robert Perkins, Pre-Business
Erica Mae Peterson, Chemical Engineering
Katelynn E. Piotter, Early Childhood Education
Tobey Charles Pribyl, Mechanical Engineering
Rimjhim Rawat, Software Engineering
Lexie Renee Reed, Animal Science
Erin Kathleen Robinson, Mechanical Engineering
Holly Marie Schroeder, Kinesiology and Health
Caleb D. Schulze, Electrical Engineering
Emily Jean Schwake, Animal Science
Grant Bradley Sherrard, Animal Science
Hunter Cole Sickels, Political Science
Amrinder Singh, Biology (AGLS)
Jacob Oliver Smidt, Aerospace Engineering
Patrick Hadley Smith, Biology
Dylan Andrew Snyder, Materials Engineering
Joshua C. Thompson, Mathematics
Mallory Michelle Till, Pre-Business
Erin Cathleen Toohey, Biology (AGLS)
Emory Stephen Traicoff, Mechanical Engineering
Sara Ann Turke, Apparel, Merchandising, and Design
Heather M. Vandewostine, Veterinary Medicine
Kevin Michael Wagner, Psychology
Mengyu Wang, Aerospace Engineering
David Clay Weinstein, Software Engineering
Karson Gene Westerkamp, Elementary Education
Hannah Lyn Whitty, Kinesiology and Health
Kelsi Shea Wolever, Environmental Science (AGLS)
Robert W. Wright, Industrial Engineering
Marcelious A. Wyatt, Construction Engineering
Samantha Christine Zust, Kinesiology and Health

Davenport, IA

Ellen Kathleen Argo, Child, Adult, and Family Services
Jessica Lynne Bennett, Journalism and Mass Communication
Kayla Marie Boche, Interdisciplinary Studies
Emily M. Brimeyer, Apparel, Merchandising, and Design
Joshua Jerome Byrne, Animal Ecology
Alissa Calsyn, Genetics (LAS)
Courtney Ann Clevenger, Elementary Education
Kaitlin Rose Clevenger, Event Management
Neal Robert Crooks, Aerospace Engineering
Walter Jeffrey Dedoncker, Civil Engineering
Elizabeth Marie Doebel, Mathematics
Kate Marie Fennelly, Marketing
Samuel Richard Fer, Materials Engineering
Jason Lee Fredericks, Management Information Systems
Mackenzie M. Garlock, Chemical Engineering
Bridget Mary Garnica, Advertising
Derek Roger Geiken, Mechanical Engineering
Sydnie N. Gengler, Chemical Engineering
Christine Megan Gulasy, Pre-Industrial Design
Kylie Kathleen Hamerlinck, Pre-Business
Travis John Hattery, Chemical Engineering
Matthew Joseph Heinrichs, World Languages and Cultures
Jiselle Alexa Henderkott, Public Relations
Samuel M. Hipple, Mechanical Engineering
Andrea Marie Holtman, Elementary Education
Reed Andrew Jennings, Civil Engineering
Jacqueline Blake Johnson, Pre-Computer Science
Malcolm Andrew Kelly, Mechanical Engineering
Joseph Valarius Kern, Construction Engineering
Thomas David Kimler, Electrical Engineering
Mary Katherine Kirk, Psychology
Emerald Patricia Klauer, Graphic Design
Joseph Edward Kopacz, Mechanical Engineering
Kathryn A. Leidahl, Pre-Business
Matthew John Luebbe, Materials Engineering
Amanda Margaret Malin, Political Science
Lindsay Renee Matthews, Meteorology
Joseph McGovern, Computer Engineering
Vanessa Lynn McNeal, Child, Adult, and Family Services
Paige M. Mercer, Animal Science
Danielle Robin Moore, Biological Systems Engineering
David Edward Moore, Supply Chain Management
Shawn Nguyen, Industrial Engineering
Claudia Nicole Nuci, Early Childhood Education
Elspeth Morgan Petersen, Chemical Engineering
Zachary Richard Petersen, Construction Engineering
Julie Pham, Open Option (LAS)
Alex James Pogue, Computer Science
Brylee S. Raupp-Timmons, Computer Engineering
Caleb Anthony Redman, Computer Engineering
Louis Alonzo Redmond, Software Engineering
Brad James Ryan, Chemical Engineering
Hope Elizabeth Scheffert, Software Engineering
Kristina Seier, Biology
David Michael Severson, Electrical Engineering
Michael Shepard, Management Information Systems
Aaron Wayne Stechmann, Industrial Technology
Melanie Stoss, Chemistry
Sally Ann Stringham, Apparel, Merchandising, and Design
Kendall Gene Tawney, Animal Science
Jessica Nichole Thomas, Graphic Design
Nguyen Le Tran, Electrical Engineering
Thao Tam Tran, Interior Design
Jesse Benjamin Trujillo, Mechanical Engineering
Cale James Unzicker, Pre-Architecture
Kayla Christine Vance, Environmental Science (AGLS)
Sarah Jane Vance, Graphic Design
Madison K. Walker, Biology (AGLS)
Kelley Danielle Wallace, Kinesiology and Health
Katherine Michelle Walton, Psychology
Kelsie Deanne Witt, Apparel, Merchandising, and Design
Connor S. Young, Biology

Moline, IL

Evan Daniel Aubry, Landscape Architecture
Allison Michelle Boyle, Elementary Education
Ashley Michelle Dodson, Psychology
Aubrey Elizabeth Foulk, Environmental Science (AGLS)
Kara Elizabeth Hutton, Communication Studies
John Daniel Kerch, Industrial Technology
Rajath Krishnan, Pre-Computer Science
Morgan Taylor McCarthy, Mechanical Engineering
Danika Marie Schroeder, Linguistics

Rock Island, IL

Ryan Joseph Bush, Industrial Design
Charles Thomas Eagle, Mechanical Engineering
Raul Hernandez, Mechanical Engineering
Julianna C. Jespersen, Animal Science
Joseph Michael Johnson, Mechanical Engineering
Sydnie Odel McNeal, English
Andria Marie Mendoza, Kinesiology and Health
Jordan Chase Turnbull, Statistics

FINDLAY, OH (01/21/2015)(readMedia)-- Perry Harrah, of Davenport, Iowa, was awarded the following endowed scholarship(s) at The University of Findlay:

Multicultural Master's Degree Scholarship

The University of Findlay is a comprehensive university with a hands-on approach to learning located in Findlay, Ohio, approximately 45 miles south of Toledo. With a total enrollment of 4,000 full-time and part-time students, The University of Findlay is known for its innovative, career-oriented programs in nearly 80 programs including bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs. UF has been nationally recognized by U.S. News and World Report and the Princeton Review. For more information, visit www.findlay.edu.

Hold on to your hats!  Looking for Visuals?  Want  a fun story on a Friday night?  Stop by Riverdale Heights Elementary Friday, January 23rd at 5:30!

The school is having a QUIDDITCH tournament.  Yeah, you read that right....QUIDDITCH.  Quidditch is the game played by wizards and witches in the famous Harry Potter Series.

It's a fun event to reward the students for all their hard work.  I don't know about you, but I'll be there!

DES MOINES, IA (01/20/2015)(readMedia)-- College-bound Iowa youth active in 4-H and/or FFA livestock projects and current undergraduate students may apply for $179,000 in scholarships available from the Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement (IFAA).

There are 65 scholarships available to freshmen entering any Iowa two or four-year, post-secondary institution this fall, 28 scholarships available to current undergraduates attending Iowa State University and an additional four scholarships available to either incoming freshman or undergraduates. Applicants must major in animal science or a curriculum in agriculture or human sciences that is related to the agriculture industry. The awards include :

• One $10,000 one-year scholarship

• Three $6,250 one-year scholarships

• Two $6,000 one-year scholarships

• Six $5,000 one-year scholarships

• Three $3,000 one-year scholarships

• Two $2,500 one-year scholarships

• Fifteen $2,000 one-year scholarships

• Seven $1,500 one-year scholarships

• Fifty $1,000 one-year scholarships

• Seven $500 one-year scholarships

• One $250 one-year scholarship

Applications and additional information are available by visiting the Sale of Champions section of the Iowa State Fair's website (http://www.iowastatefair.org/competition/sale-of-champions/winners-circle-scholarships) or by calling Harold Hodson at 515/290-8875 or Connie Baker at 515/383-4386. Selection will be based on level of 4-H/FFA involvement in livestock and other agricultural project work, livestock exhibition and/or judging, scholarship, leadership and career plans. Applications for current undergraduate students must be postmarked by April 1, and applications for incoming freshmen must be postmarked by May 1. All materials should be sent to IFAA Winner's Circle Scholarship, c/o SGI, 30805 595th Ave., Cambridge, IA 50046.

Winners will be announced during the 2015 Iowa State Fair annual 4-H/FFA Sale of Champions on Saturday, August 22, an event sponsored by IFAA. The IFAA is a non-profit organization reorganized in 1988. It is comprised of agricultural enthusiasts dedicated to encouraging 4-H and FFA livestock, poultry and agricultural project members to pursue ag-related careers. IFAA scholarship funds come from a percentage of Sale of Champions proceeds as well as Winner's Circle Club donations.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2015 Iowa State Fair, August 13-23. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit www.iowastatefair.org.

* * *

BISMARCK, ND (01/20/2015)(readMedia)-- Chad Wagner, Davenport, IA, has been named to the President's Honor Roll for the Fall 2014 semester at Bismarck State College.

"BSC students are great; it is always gratifying when the honor roll comes out and students like Chad get the credit they deserve for their focus and hard work," said Dave Clark, BSC interim president.

Students must maintain at least a 3.50 grade point on a 4.00 scale while enrolled in at least 12 semester hours of classes to qualify.

Bismarck State College, an innovative community college in Bismarck, N.D., offers high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities. For more information, visit bismarckstate.edu.

Pages