FAYETTE, IA (07/14/2015)(readMedia)-- Upper Iowa University is pleased to announce the names of its March 2015 graduates, followed by the degree earned and respective honors.

Brian Jackson of Bettendorf, IA, graduated with a BS in Business Admin from UIU's Quad Cities Center.

Kimberly Johnson of Port Byron, IL, graduated Cum Laude with a BS in Marketing from UIU's Quad Cities Center.

Travis Zurcher of Moline, IL, graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS in Financial Management from UIU's Quad Cities Center.

About Upper Iowa University Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private, not-for-profit university providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 5,800 students--nationally and internationally--at its Fayette campus, 25 U.S. education centers, as well as centers in Malaysia and Hong Kong. Upper Iowa University is a recognized innovator in offering accredited, quality programs through flexible, multiple delivery systems, including online and self-paced degree programs. With a focus on developing leaders and lifelong learners, UIU provides dual enrollment programs for high school students as well as continuing education and professional development opportunities for learners of any age. For more information, visit www.uiu.edu.

MOLINE, Ill. - State Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, visited with children and care givers from the Skip-a-Long Family and Community Services Center on June 25 to highlight the implications of Governor Rauner's proposed budget cuts.

"These children and their families depend on the state for care and support, and many will lose access to the services they depend on if this governor gets his way," Smiddy said. "I want to thank the children and staff at Skip-a-Long for helping me highlight the human costs of irresponsible cuts and rule changes."

Skip-a-Long is a non-profit childcare center serving approximately 1,100 children. Smiddy was joined by approximately 60 community members, children and staff from Skip-a-Long and other organizations for the press event held on June 25 in opposition to Governor Rauner's proposal to slash human services funding statewide. The families receive support from the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) to offset the cost of childcare and allow parents to continue working while their children are cared for. 80 percent of the families using care with Skip-a-Long utilize the CCAP program. Eligibility rule changes imposed by the governor, which took effect on July 1, will greatly diminish the number of families eligible for the program. Skip-a-Long has already been forced to reject 12 families who applied for enrollment through CCAP, according to Marcy Mendenhall, President & CEO of Skip-a-Long Family and Community Services.

Ashley Jipp of Bettendorf (52722) was initiated at Coe College

Lindsey Jipp of Bettendorf (52722) was initiated at Coe College

Ryan Lechtenberg of De Witt (52742) was initiated at Coe College

These residents are among approximately 32,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors, having at least 72 semester hours, are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff, and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine and headquartered in Baton Rouge, La., Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline honor society. The Society has chapters on more than 300 college and university campuses in North America and the Philippines. Its mission is "To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others."

More About Phi Kappa Phi

Since its founding, more than 1.25 million members have been initiated. Some of the organization's more notable members include former President Jimmy Carter, NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence, novelist David Baldacci and YouTube cofounder Chad Hurley. The Society has awarded approximately $15 million since the inception of its awards program in 1932. Today, more than $1 million is awarded each biennium to qualifying students and members through graduate fellowships, undergraduate study abroad grants, member and chapter awards and grants for local and national literacy initiatives. For more information, visit www.phikappaphi.org.