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.

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.

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

###

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.

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.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (June 19, 2015) - Kirkwood Community College has announced the graduating class of 2014 - 2015. College faculty and administration joined friends and family in saluting the graduates at commencement ceremonies at the US Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, May 16.

-30-

HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME, COUNTY (if listed)

Bettendorf, IA

Cara Bergman, Scott
Kaycee Kallenberger, Scott
Alex West, Scott

Davenport, IA

Amanda Henry, Scott
Brett Jeffries, Scott
Chasney Jenkins, Scott
Tyler Lightner, Scott
Alexis Quandt, Scott

Moline, IL

Samuel Ade
De'shawn James

WACO, Texas (June 19, 2015) - More than 3,100 Baylor University students were named to the Dean's Academic Honor Roll for the 2015 spring semester. To be named to the Dean's List, a student must be an undergraduate with a minimum grade-point average of 3.7, while enrolled in a minimum of 12 semester hours. A private Christian university and a nationally ranked liberal arts institution, Baylor is classified as a research university with "high research activity" by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. This blends with Baylor's international reputation for educational excellence built upon the faculty's commitment to teaching, scholarship and interdisciplinary research to produce outstanding graduates.

Among those honored was Shravya Reddy Pothula of Rock Island from the College of Arts and Sciences

The honor student news release and a complete listing of all honorees is available through the following link: http://www.baylor.edu/mediacommunications/index.php?id=87536.

-30-

LINCOLN, NE (06/18/2015)(readMedia)-- The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has announced its Deans' List and Honor Roll for the spring semester of the 2014-15 academic year.

Qualification for the Deans' List varies among the eight undergraduate colleges and the Honor Roll for undeclared students. Listed below are the minimum requirements for each entity and the name of its respective dean or director. All qualifying grade-point averages are based on a four-point scale and a minimum of 12 or more graded semester hours. Students can be on the Deans' List for more than one college.

> College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, 3.75; Dean Steven F. Waller.

> College of Architecture, top 10 percent of the students in the college; Interim Dean Kim Wilson.

> College of Arts and Sciences, 3.7; Dean Joseph Francisco.

> College of Business Administration, 3.6; Dean Donde Plowman.

> College of Education and Human Sciences, 3.75; Dean Marjorie Kostelnik.

> College of Engineering, 3.5; Dean Tim Wei.

> College of Journalism and Mass Communications, 3.7; Dean Maria Marron.

> Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts, 3.7; Dean Charles O'Connor.

> Honor Roll for undeclared students, 3.6; Director of Undergraduate Education Nancy Mitchell.

The following is a list of area Deans' List and Honor Roll students. Some international students are listed under their adopted hometowns in the United States.

Geneseo: Garrett Philip Donaldson , senior, Dean's List, College of Arts and Sciences, biochemistry.

Bettendorf: Anna Meilian Fobair , freshman, Dean's List, College of Journalism and Mass Communications, advertising and public relations/broadcasting.

Davenport: Samantha Walton Adrales , senior, Dean's List, College of Arts and Sciences, English.

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad today announced Emmet County has met the criteria to become designated as a Home Base Iowa Community. Today he also announced Iowa Lakes Community College has been designated as a Home Base Iowa Certified Higher Academic Military Partner (CHAMP).  A formal announcement and press conference will be held today in Estherville at the Iowa Lakes Community College at 4:30 p.m.

Emmet County joins eighteen existing communities in becoming a certified Home Base Iowa Communities. To become a Home Base Iowa Community, an area must meet the following criteria: 10% of its businesses with potential to hire sign on as Home Base Iowa Businesses; local government supports the effort; signage indicates the community is a Home Base Iowa Community and the community creates local incentives that offer additional benefits for Veterans and that complement those in the statewide Home Base Iowa Act.

"More than 1300 Veterans hired through Home Base Iowa effort now call Iowa home," said Branstad. "Iowans are embracing the Home Base Iowa initiative to create communities that are welcoming and attractive to Veterans and to provide transitioning military members with every opportunity for success."

"We've seen the momentum build with this program," said Lt Governor Kim Reynolds. "With the support of over 900 businesses, education CHAMPS, our Iowa communities and the aggressive career and recruitment efforts of the program, we are both pleased and excited to know what began as a great idea is now becoming a program recognized as a national model."

Iowa Lakes Community College joins the existing HBI CHAMPs?Upper Iowa University, Mount Mercy University, University of Dubuque, Mercy College of Health Sciences, University of Iowa, Iowa State University, University of Northern Iowa, Des Moines Area Community College, Hawkeye Community College, Iowa Central Community College, Eastern Iowa Community College, Western Iowa Tech Community College, Kirkwood Community College and Northern Iowa Area Community College.  The Home Base Iowa CHAMP program allows Iowa colleges and universities to become certified for their ability to educate and assist Veterans on campus. The certification will help attract Veterans and transitioning Service Members to Iowa. It also helps academic institutions market their campus as Veteran-friendly. To become a Home Base Iowa CHAMP, education institutions must meet criteria in each of the three categories: On-Campus Veteran Resources, Mindfulness of Service Member Transitions and Financial Considerations.

There are over 57 businesses who have committed to hire veterans as part of Emmet County's Home Base Iowa efforts.  Emmet County offers incentives for veterans visiting the county for job interviews and additional incentives for those who choose to relocate to Emmet County. That is in addition to the $5,000 offered through the Home Ownership Assistance Program statewide.

BACKGROUND ON THE HOME BASE IOWA ACT 

Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds launched the Home Base Iowa initiative in November of 2013 at the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum at Camp Dodge. Branstad and Reynolds named Congressman Leonard Boswell and Casey's CEO Bob Myers the co-chairs of the initiative.

The Home Base Iowa Act was signed into law on May 26, 2014. It passed the Iowa Senate 46-0 and the Iowa House 94-2. The Home Base Iowa initiative does the following:

  • Fully exempts military pensions from state income tax.
  • Gives veterans, their spouses and dependents in-state tuition at Iowa's colleges and universities.
  • Allows Iowa's licensing boards to adopt rules allowing credit for military training and experience in the licensing process.
  • Allows private-sector companies to follow the public sector's lead by allowing a preference in hiring and promoting veterans.
  • Eliminates the special plate issuance fees charged for plates associated with military service.
  • Expands eligibility for the Military Homeownership Assistance Program, which provides $5,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance.  Additional funding for the program is provided in a separate appropriations bill.

In addition to the Home Base Iowa Act, Branstad also signed Senate File 2352 in 2014.

Senate File 2352 an Act relating to the additional homestead credit for certain disabled veterans and including effective date and applicability provisions.

For more information on Home Base Iowa, please visit www.HomeBaseIowa.org. Those interested in becoming a Home Base Iowa Business, a Home Base Iowa Community or a Home Base Iowa CHAMP should contact Kathy Anderson at Kathy.anderson@iowa.gov or homebase@iowa.gov.

###

DURANGO, CO (06/18/2015)(readMedia)-- Alex McWhorter, of Taylor Ridge, IL, graduated from Fort Lewis College on Saturday, May 2, 2015. McWhorter received a bachelor's degree with a major in Exercise Science - Physiology option .

Over 450 students participated in the Spring Commencement ceremony. Read more about the ceremony here.

Fort Lewis College is the Southwest's crossroads of education and adventure. Our blend of small classes, dynamic academic programs, and a liberal arts perspective leads to transformative learning experiences that foster entrepreneurship, leadership, creative problem solving, and life-long learning. And our unique & beautiful mountain campus, on a mesa above historic Durango, Colorado, inspires an active and friendly community with a spirit of engagement, exploration, and intellectual curiosity.

Pages