01 Jul 2015

Gov. Branstad names Ryan Wise Education Director

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

Wise's appointment is effective July 1 as current director Brad Buck departs to become Cedar Rapids School District Superintendent

 

(DES MOINES) - Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad today announced that he has named Iowa Department of Education deputy director Ryan Wise as the new director of the department. Wise, 39, will take the position on July 1, 2015, as current director Brad Buck transitions to a new position as the superintendent of Cedar Rapids schools. A photo of Wise can be found here.

"World-class education begins in the classrooms across Iowa, but having a leader as the state department's director is critically important as we work to again make Iowa the leader in education," said Branstad. "Ryan Wise has displayed exceptional leadership in the implementation of Iowa's innovative, new Teacher Leadership and Compensation System and I am confident that he will continue leading the Iowa Department of Education in the right direction as we work to provide a globally competitive education for every child in Iowa."

Wise has served as deputy director at the Iowa Department of Education since September 2013. He has led the implementation of Iowa's Teacher Leadership and Compensation  system (TLC), including designing and executing the application and selection process, facilitating multiple statewide coordination teams, creating a principal support system and leading Iowa's Commission on Educator Leadership and Compensation. In addition, Wise has served as the liaison between the Department and the Iowa State Board of Education, and has been the representative on the Iowa High School Athletic Association board of control and on the Governor's Council for National Service.  He is also the administrator for the Department's division of policy and communications.

"Though times have changed significantly since the one-room schoolhouses dotted Iowa's landscape, our state's commitment to providing every child a high-quality education has remained constant," said Iowa Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds. "Dr. Wise understands that modern education means looking at innovative teaching methods and preparing children for the careers of tomorrow. He has shown his commitment to rewarding exceptional Iowa teachers through the Teacher Leadership and Compensation System and will be a great asset as the next director of the Iowa Department of Education."

Wise earned his undergraduate degree from Creighton University. He earned a Master of Public Administration from University Nebraska Omaha in 2008. He earned a doctorate of education leadership from Harvard University in 2013.

"I admire the Governor's and Lieutenant Governor's commitment to providing every child in Iowa with the world-class education they deserve," said Wise. "It has been a privilege to lead the implementation of the Teacher Leadership and Compensation System that rewards great teachers.  I am now eager to accept a new challenge of leading the Iowa Department of Education at this critical juncture when we continue putting in place the transformational education reforms signed by Governor Branstad in 2013."

Wise has made improving education his mission for his entire career. He was managing director for growth strategy and development for Teach for All from 2008-2010. He was the executive director of Teach for America in South Dakota from 2003-2008, where, among other achievements, he worked with both public and Bureau of Indian Affairs grant schools on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations to improve educational opportunities. He spent the first five years of his career as a history teacher at Omaha Central High School in Omaha, Neb., and Rosa Fort High School in Tunica, Miss.

Ryan and his spouse, Sacha, reside in Des Moines, Iowa. They have two children, Weston and Graham. The appointment is subject to Iowa Senate confirmation.

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01 Jul 2015

MISSOURI S&T SPRING HONORS LIST

By Missouri S&T Marketing
ROLLA, Mo. (June 30, 2015) - Missouri University of Science and Technology announces the names of students who made the honor list for the Spring 2015 semester.

To be included on the honor list, students must have carried a minimum of 12 hours and had grade point averages of 3.2 or above out of a possible 4.0.

Founded in 1870 as the University of Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy, Missouri S&T is a public research university of 8,600 students and is part of the four-campus University of Missouri System.

For more information, visit www.mst.edu or contact the admissions office at 800-522-0938.

-30-

HOMETOWN; NAME, LEVEL, MAJOR

Bettendorf, Iowa

- Shelby Kathleen Michaelis, senior, architectural engineering

Moline, Illinois

- Mackenzie Flynn Kelly, freshman, engineering
29 Jun 2015

Abby Saladino of Long Grove pursues full-time research at Central College

By J. Hodges

PELLA, IA (06/26/2015)(readMedia)-- Central College student Abby Saladino of Long Grove became a full-time researcher this summer. Saladino, a biology major, is working on two sustainability research projects with professor of biology Russ Benedict: Prairies for Agriculture, which investigates how restoring native prairie species could help Iowa farmers, and bat behavior research, which will help the Iowa Depa

Saladino is one of 23 student researchers on campus this summer. Students are supported by various grants, including support from the Arthur J. Bosch Endowment, Margaret A. Cargill Foundation, David and Linda Wesselink, American Chemical Society, Central College Dean's Office, Moore Family Foundation and Monticello College Foundation.

Founded in 1853, Central College of Pella, Iowa, is a private, residential four-year liberal arts college known for its academic rigor and strength in global experiential learning, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), sustainability education, athletics success and tradition, and leadership and service. Central continues to value its long-standing relationship with the Reformed Church in America that began in 1916. The college participates in NCAA Division III athletics and is a member of the Iowa Conference. Central is an active part of the Greater Des Moines region and just two minutes from Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake.

26 Jun 2015

Rivermont Collegiate 4th Quarter Honor Roll

By Brittany Marrieta
June 25, 2015 - Congratulations to the following students who have made the Rivermont Collegiate 4th Quarter 2014-15 Honor Roll!

Middle School (Grades 6-8)

High Honors (All grades B+ or higher or B or higher for courses designated as High School level or advanced track math)

Rohan Abernathy-Wee
Asha Alla
Michael Cumberbatch
Elizabeth Decker
Annika Didelot
Sean Dougherty
Jessica Elliott
Jacob Hansen
Jaden Fee
Sofia Hunner Rojas
Angela Jones
Sarah McVey
Jozef Porubcin
Davis Priest
Nandini Reddy
Grace Sampson
Ava Satterfield
Peyton Seberg
Anna Senjem
Genevieve Strasser
Jack Westphal
Alexander Xiao

Honors (All grades B- or higher or C+ or higher for courses designated as High School level or advanced track math)

Harris Ciaccio
Christopher Cumberbatch
Evan Didelot
Sarah Dobbs
Aislinn Geedey
Chirag Gowda Mary
Emad Haque
Allyson Lewis
Aisling McDowell
Dwira Nandini
Lauren Schroeder
Kadin Shaheen
Allison Swiger
Claire Westphal

Upper School (Grades 9-12)

Headmaster's List (GPA 3.85 - 4.00)

Adam Dada
Clayton Douglas
Faith Douglas
Anastasia Eganova
Maram El-Geneidy
Hayley Moran
Benjamin Nordick
Manasa Pagadala
Emilia Porubcin
Michal Porubcin
Suhas Seshadri
Alexander Skillin
Loring Telleen

Distinction (GPA 3.5 - 3.84)

Spencer Brown
Hema Chimpidi
Christian Elliott
Shivani Ganesh
Aditya Gohain
Carly Gott
Ryan Howell
Tejasvi Kotte
Molly Lewis
Nathan McVey

Merit (GPA 3.00 - 3.49)

Jacob Engelke
Kenton Fee
Jesus Fuentes
Andrew Laufenberg
Brittany McDonald
Bhavana Purighalla
Thomas Rodgers
Lauren Sears
Gwyneth Vollman
Nikhil Wagher
Pavel Yashurkin

# # #
26 Jun 2015

Iowa State University Department of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management awards scholarships to returning students

By Carole Custer

AMES, IA (06/25/2015)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State University College of Human Sciences announced returning students who will receive scholarships from the Department of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management for the 2015-16 academic year. Students and their scholarships include the following:

Taylor Borde of Muscatine, Iowa (52761), a Junior in Apparel, Merchandising, and Design, will receive the Textiles and Clothing Development Scholarship.

Kaitlin Clevenger of Davenport, Iowa (52803), a Senior in Event Management, will receive the Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management Cherry Pie Scholarship.

Raegan Czupka of Eldridge, Iowa (52748), a Senior in Event Management, will receive the Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management Cherry Pie Scholarship.

Jill Mekalson of Bettendorf, Iowa (52722), a Sophomore in Hospitality Management, will receive the Mary Ellen Lewis Scholarship in Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management.

The Iowa State University College of Human Sciences and its academic departments awarded more than $1 million in student scholarships and awards for the 2015-16 year.

26 Jun 2015

Students receive scholarships from Iowa State Univ.

By Carole Custer

Elisabeth Burken receives scholarship from the Iowa State University Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition

AMES, IA (06/25/2015)(readMedia)-- Elisabeth Burken, of Blue Grass, Iowa (52726), will receive the Candace and David Arp Scholarship from the Iowa State University Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, as announced by the College of Human Sciences. Burken is a Sophomore studying Pre-Dietetics/Dietetics at Iowa State.

Jael Kulp from LeClaire, Iowa receives scholarship from the Iowa State University Department of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management in the College of Human Sciences

AMES, IA (06/25/2015)(readMedia)-- JaelKulp, from LeClaire, Iowa (52753) will receive the Marjorie McKinley Memorial Scholarship from the Department of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management in the Iowa State University College of Human Sciences. Kulp is transferring to Iowa State as a Junior/Transfer with plans to study Event Management.

Samantha Zust receives scholarship from the Iowa State University Department of Kinesiology

AMES, IA (06/25/2015)(readMedia)-- Samantha Zust of Bettendorf, Iowa (52722) will receive the Germaine G. Guiot Scholarship from the Department of Kinesiology in the Iowa State University College of Human Sciences. Zust is a Senior studying Kinesiology and Health at Iowa State.

The Iowa State University College of Human Sciences and its academic departments awarded more than $1 million in student scholarships and awards for the 2015-16 year.

26 Jun 2015

Chad Wagner graduates from Bismarck State College

By Marnie Piehl

BISMARCK, ND (06/24/2015)(readMedia)-- Chad Wagner of Davenport, IA, graduated from Bismarck State College with a A.A.S. in Nuclear Power Technology during the college's 75th Commencement Ceremony on May 15, 2015 at the Bismarck Event Center.

The 2015 Commencement Speaker was Dr. Larry C. Skogen, Interim Chancellor of the North Dakota University System and the former and future BSC President. The Student Commencement Speaker was Landon Schmeichel.

The 2015 BSC Commencement Ceremony was recorded and is available for download on BSC's iTunes U site.

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.

26 Jun 2015

Governor Rauner Signs Education Bill

By Catherine Kelly

Governor Bruce Rauner signed House Bill 3763 today making appropriations for General State Aid, Early Childhood Education, Bi-lingual Education and the Teachers' Retirement System.

Governor Rauner has always made clear that improving education is his highest priority. While the legislature's bill does not increase education spending by as much as the governor's proposal, it does increase K-12 education spending by $244 million and early childhood education funding by $25 million.

"Education is the most important thing we do as a community. I would have done more for our schoolchildren, but I am taking action today to ensure our teachers are paid and our schools are open and funded," Governor Rauner said. "I refuse to allow Speaker Madigan and the legislators he controls to hold our schools hostage as part of their plan to protect the political class and force a tax hike on the middle class without real reform."

As part of his budget plan, the governor proposed increasing K-12 education by $312 million and early childhood by $32 million.

 

Bill No.: HB 3763

An Act Concerning: Appropriations

Action: Signed

Effective: July 1, 2015

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26 Jun 2015

Chad Wagner named to the Spring 2015 President's 4.00 Honor Roll at Bismarck State College

By Randy Stalsberg

BISMARCK, ND (06/24/2015)(readMedia)-- Chad Wagner of Davenport, IA, has been named to the President's Honor Roll with a 4.00 grade point average for the Spring 2015 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 a 4.00 grade point while enrolled in at least 12 semester hours of classes to receive this distinction.

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.

26 Jun 2015

BANDITS ANNOUNCE SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

By Marco LaNave
Scholars Program to pay first years of tuition at University of Iowa, Western Illinois University

DAVENPORT, Iowa (June 21, 2015) - The Quad Cities River Bandits awarded their two annual Bandit Scholarships at their game Sunday afternoon. River Bandits owner Dave Heller announced David Tra as the winner of the Bandit Scholarship for the University of Iowa, and Matthew Wieskamp as the winner of the Bandit Scholarship for Western Illinois University.

Tra, a Davenport native and Davenport West High School graduate, will attend the University of Iowa this fall. Wieskamp, a Muscatine, Iowa, native and Muscatine High School graduate, will attend Western Illinois University. Each scholarship ensures the student's first year of tuition will be covered at no expense to them or their families. The Bandit Scholarships are administered by the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend (CFGRB).

"Giving out these scholarships is the single most enjoyable thing I do as owner of the River Bandits, and I am so proud, on behalf of the team, and the Communtiy Foundation of the Great River Bend, to present these scholarships to a two recipients," said team owner Dave Heller. "David and Matthew have demonstrated incredible talent, hard work, dedication and a passion for community service, and I am confident they will be outstanding representatives of our Bandit Scholars Program and the Quad Cities in their immensely promising futures."

Tra hopes to pursue an engineering degree. He has begun taking college-level engineering classes and has been involved in Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam, National Honor Society, Youth Symphony Orchestra, High School Varsity Orchestra, Asian club, Leo club, ecology club, cross country, golf, tennis, and track, as well as working at Hy-Vee.

Wieskamp hopes to pursue a pre-physical therapy curriculum and biology degree, as well as a minor in business, to become a physical therapist. In high school, he has been involved with National Honor Society, baseball, basketball, football and track.

"It's an honor to be the recipient of the Bandit Scholarship," Wieskamp said. "This scholarship will help me to achieve my goal of becoming a physical therapist in the future. Thank you, and go Bandits!"

The Bandit Scholars Program was founded in 2009 by the Quad Cities River Bandits' team owners Dave Heller and Bob Herrfeldt. The program pays the entire first year of college tuition for two Quad Cities area students. Both winners also receive a summer internship with the Quad Cities River Bandits following their freshman year. , and recipients are selected by a committee made up of community leaders, River Bandits' ownership and staff and CFGRB volunteers.

The scholarships are funded by fan donations and fund-raising efforts by the River Bandits and the team's ownership. Fundraising events include the annual Bandits Race to Home 5K and River Bandits golf outing, set for July 27 this season. Through the partnership with the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, donors can make online, tax-deductible donations to the Bandit Scholars Program by going to www.cfgrb.org. Fans can also visit the Bandit Scholars Program page on the team's website, www.riverbandits.com, and follow a link to the Bandit Scholars page on the Foundation's website.

Both scholarships are open to current high school (or home-schooled) seniors who reside in any of the following counties: Henry, Mercer, Rock Island and Whiteside Counties on the Illinois side, and Cedar, Louisa, Muscatine and Scott Counties on the Iowa side.

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