BOURBONNAIS, IL (03/19/2014)(readMedia)-- Olivet Nazarene University announces that the following students from this area have been named to the dean's list for the recently completed fall 2013 semester:

Emily Arnold of Prophetstown

Lydia Bilyeu of Fulton

Zachary Bozman of LeClaire

Peter Davies of Bettendorf

Derek Delgado of Sterling

Trevor Delgado of Sterling

Liza Dollenbacher of Bettendorf

Zackry Everett of Sterling

Miranda Geever of Moline

Jordan Hirl of Clinton

Cory Holloway of Moline

Kathleen Marston of Clinton

Jacob Mellinger of Moline

Hannah Milby of Sterling

Emily Mills of Milan

Ainsley Ports of Sterling

Sonia Smith of Bettendorf

To qualify for inclusion on the dean's list, a student must have been enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student and must have attained a semester grade point average of 3.50 or higher on a 4.00 grading scale.

Olivet Nazarene University is an accredited Christian, liberal arts university offering more than 100 areas of undergraduate and graduate study, including the Doctor of Education in ethical leadership. Olivet has one main campus in Bourbonnais, Ill. - just 50 miles south of Chicago; three sites: Rolling Meadows and Oak Brook, Ill., and Hong Kong; and more than 100 School of Graduate and Continuing Studies learning locations throughout Chicagoland and the Midwest. From Oxford to Tokyo, hundreds of Olivet students also experience the global classroom each year, whether through study abroad opportunities or worldwide mission trips.

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Study Shows Less than 60 Percent Enroll in Top Option; Expert Provides 3 Criteria to Consider

Tens of thousands of high school students will be receiving their college acceptance letters in April. It's an anxious time - students, and their parents, want to believe their school holds the promise that attendance will be their "Golden Ticket" to eventual financial success.  So, if they are trying to get from "Point A" (here and now) to "Point B" (financial independence), how do they select the school that will deliver that return on their investment?

"Young people tend to quickly fall in love with a school, and parents tend to quickly wear their son's or daughter's acceptance as a badge of honor, or at least validation as a successful parent,'' says David Porter, social architect, consultant to colleges and universities throughout North America and author of "The Porter Principles," a guide to college success through social engineering, (www.porterkhouwconsulting.com).

"Students and parents should be skeptical and consider all of what a college has offer, and how it will deliver on the implicit promise of financial independence. Which school will nurture and grow the prerequisite face-to-face problem-solving skills required to secure gainful employment and financial independence upon graduation?"

According to the most recent study from the University of California, Los Angeles's Higher Education Research Institute, only 58 percent of the surveyed 204,000 college freshmen enrolled at their first-choice college, the lowest percentage to do so since the question was first asked in 1974.

The major factors behind the decline are cost and financial aid. A 2012 study by the research group Ipsos and the student loan giant, Sallie Mae, indicates that roughly 70 percent of families are ruling out colleges based on cost.

First choice or otherwise, Porter says students and their families should consider a variety of factors in estimating the most value to be had at a campus. Some are more relevant than others:

• A school's ranking: According to one of the world's leading public intellects who regularly weighs in on academic issues, Malcom Gladwell, the national ranking a school receives doesn't necessarily reflect the needs of individual students. Just like an expensive sports car is valued, in part, from an arbitrary, expensive price tag, so too are colleges. The various needs a young adult will have are by no means fully represented by the seven variables used by the U.S. News rankings, run by Robert Morse. The variables include undergraduate academic reputation, financial resources and alumni giving.

• On-Campus culture and community: In addition to academics and the rigors thereof, a college offers (or fails to offer) a unique on-campus college experience.  Will the environment foster success (post-graduate financial independence) or, will it essentially be a few more years of high school under the guise of "college"?  Look for safe, wholesome campus venues, like a student union or a next generation dining learning commons that invites student interaction, collaboration, problem-solving, and dining 24/7.  Social architecture - the conscious design of an environment to encourage social behaviors that lead toward a goal - is a ground-breaking approach that social architecture visionary Porter is successfully introducing to more campuses across North America every day.

• Parent-student understanding: Move out and stay out (because you can). Mom and dad, we want a nice home, a nice car, nice vacations, nice stuff, nice meals, etc. etc. etc.  It costs tens of thousands of dollars per year to attend most colleges. Whether or not a student assumes massive debt to follow her dreams, or a parent shares the burden should be moot if the student can identify, pursue and secure gainful employment upon graduation. Having debt is an enourmous burden at any stage of life if you are unemployed. Choosing a school is a great opportunity for parents to lead by example on how to make a purchase decision for any "big ticket" item.  Do your homework.  Buyer beware. Coach them using some of the same skills you would use to buy a house or purchase a car or invest in a new business.

About David Porter

David Porter, author and social architect, is CEO and president of Porter Khouw Consulting, Inc., a foodservice master planning and design firm based in Crofton, Maryland. David has more than 40 years of hands-on food service operations and consulting experience and is a professional member of the Foodservice Consultants Society International. He is the author of "The Porter Principles, Retain & Recruit Students & Alumni, Save Millions on Dining and Stop Letting Food Service Contractors Eat Your Lunch," (www.porterkhouwconsulting.com). Porter Khouw Consulting has worked with more than 350 clients to conduct market research and develop strategic plans, master plans and designs for the college and university market. Porter is a graduate of the prestigious hospitality program at Michigan State University and has been recognized repeatedly as a leader in his field.

It's not every day a Quad City 2nd grader gets to meet Governor Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds!  Brandon Hu, 2nd grade student at Rivermont Collegiate in Bettendorf, had just this opportunity last Monday, March 10th when he was honored as a recipient of the Governor's Award as part of Youth Art Month.  Brandon, the son of Edward Hu and Marian Lee of Davenport, was honored with a tour of the Capital Building, as well.

As part of Youth Art Month, Brandon's work will be on display in the Governor's offices through the month of March.  Each year, art educators in the state of Iowa are given the opportunity to submit 10 pieces of student work from their district to be included in the Youth Art Month exhibit at the State Historical Building in Des Moines.  The exhibit features artwork from over 200 students from across Iowa.  6 Rivermont students, including Brandon, were selected to have their work exhibited.  Brandon received the additional honor of the Governor's Award - he is the only student in the Quad Cities to receive this additional honor as part of Youth Art Month.  Those selected for the Governor's Award have their work specially featured in the Governor's offices, as well as the opportunity to meet Governor Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds and tour the Capital Building.

Other Rivermont students with work in the Youth Art Month exhibit include Keira Stone (1st grade), Melissa Tilden (1st grade), Ashlann Fee (2nd grade), Kadin Shaheen (5th grade), and Grace Sampson (6th grade).  We are extremely proud of our student artists and the strength of Rivermont's art program, led by Visual Arts faculty member Colleen Tomlinson.  Congrats to all!

For a complete list of student artists on exhibit, visit http://www.artedia.org/yam/youthartmonth.html#winners

ROCK ISLAND, IL (03/11/2014)(readMedia)-- In today's competitive job market, college students recognize the value of high-impact learning experiences, like internships, study abroad and research.

From your area:

Sarah Althaus from Moline, Ill., a senior majoring in political science, took advantage of an opportunity to study abroad in East Asia.

Hiba Ansari from Clinton, Iowa, a senior majoring in business administration-international business, took advantage of an opportunity to study abroad in East Asia.

Jaime Balderas from Rock Falls, Ill., a senior majoring in psychology, took advantage of an opportunity to study abroad in East Asia.

Michael Hoover from Bettendorf, Iowa, a sophomore majoring in Augie Ages undecided, took advantage of an opportunity to study abroad in East Asia.

Jakob Leathers from Tampico, Ill., a senior majoring in classics, took advantage of an opportunity to do an internship at the Mississippi Valley Blood Center.

Amanda Smet from Moline, Ill., a senior majoring in sociology-social welfare, took advantage of an opportunity to do an internship at World Relief.

Samantha Tonn from Moline, Ill., a senior majoring in religion, took advantage of an opportunity to study abroad in East Asia.

Anthony TouVelle from Bettendorf, Iowa, a junior majoring in German, took advantage of an opportunity to study abroad in East Asia.

Shelby Womack from Davenport, Iowa, a senior majoring in biology, took advantage of an opportunity to do an internship at UnityPoint Health - Trinity.

Ashley DeVolder from Moline, Ill., a senior majoring in accounting, took advantage of an opportunity to do an internship in Australia.

Haley Fox from Davenport, Iowa, a junior majoring in business administration-management, took advantage of an opportunity to do an internship in Australia.

Catherine Margenthaler from Moline, Ill., a senior majoring in communication sciences and disorders, took advantage of an opportunity to do an internship in Australia.

Robert Holmquist from East Moline, Ill., a sophomore majoring in physics, took advantage of an opportunity to study abroad in Japan.

Ingrid Schneider from Davenport, Iowa, a senior majoring in music general, took advantage of an opportunity to study abroad in Japan.

Steven Trent from Eldridge, Iowa, a senior majoring in geology, took advantage of an opportunity to conduct research in geology in Hawaii.

Jessica Bacon from Rock Island, Ill., a junior majoring in elementary education, took advantage of an opportunity to study abroad in Guatemala.

Breann Nelson from Moline, Ill., a senior majoring in psychology, took advantage of an opportunity to study abroad in Guatemala.

Amanda Wood from Moline, Ill., a senior majoring in psychology, took advantage of an opportunity to do an internship at Hand and Hand.

Jaime Rehmert from Sterling, Ill., a senior majoring in communication sciences and disorders, took advantage of an opportunity to study abroad in Dominican Republic.

Christine Wiersema from Morrison, Ill., a junior majoring in multimedia journalism and mass communication, took advantage of an opportunity to study abroad in Dominican Republic.

"These experiences broaden the horizons of our students. As they prepare to graduate, opportunities like these make Augustana students even more attractive candidates for graduate school and career opportunities," explains W. Kent Barnds, executive vice president of Augustana College, in Rock Island, Ill.

Barnds notes that Augustana is helping more students take advantage of these "powerful, real-world learning experiences" thanks to Augie Choice.

Focused on advancing student learning in the liberal arts, Augie Choice provides students a one-time grant of $2,000 to offset the expenses of an internship, study abroad or research project.

Augie Choice was launched in 2009. To date, the program has helped 1,588 Augustana students through the distribution of $3,176,000. The program is a visible symbol of the college's commitment to preparing students to stand out.

Founded in 1860, Augustana College is a selective four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences. The college is recognized for the innovative program Augie Choice, which provides each student up to $2,000 to pursue a high-impact learning experience such as study abroad, an internship or research with a professor. Current students and alumni include 149 Academic All-Americans, a Nobel laureate, 13 college presidents and other distinguished leaders. The college enrolls 2,500 students and is located along one of the world's most important waterways, the Mississippi River, in a community that reflects the diversity of the United States.