ROCK ISLAND, IL (05/19/2015)(readMedia)-- Augustana College's Career Development Office announced the seniors with the highest ranking Viking Scores.

The Viking Score is Augustana's unique and valuable approach to helping students track their level of professional preparation. A voluntary program, the Viking Score is available for all students regardless of year or major.

Valerie (Lambert) Kroll '07, manager, digital analytics, American Medical Association says, "The Viking Score takes the ambiguity out of the steps students must take to acquire a full-time position following graduation. It also gives students an opportunity to learn about multiple career tracks, including non-traditional roles, that can leverage their strengths and interests. Now students will be equipped to be career-minded throughout their college experience versus waiting until their final year(s) to begin planning."

Those from your area achieving the highest Viking Scores are:

Samantha Turner of Rock Island majoring in Histroy and Anthropology.

Christine Harb of Davenport majoring in Biology and Pre-Medicine.

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 155 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.

Washington, D.C. - Congressmen Dave Loebsack (IA-02) and David Jolly (FL-13) introduced the Student Veterans Housing Support Act, legislation designed to improve housing opportunities for veterans pursuing education after serving their country. The bipartisan measure, H.R. 2465, makes improvements to the monthly housing stipend payable under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

"As a former college educator, I know firsthand the positive impact post-secondary education and job training can have for our veterans. I am proud to join with Congressman Jolly to introduce this bill that will make improvements to the monthly housing stipend under the Post 9/11 GI Bill. By allowing our veterans to use their monthly stipend in a way that is a better fit for their individual schedules, it will help vets get the education they earned after serving our nation," Loebsack said.

"Currently, veteran students face lapses in their educational housing allowances when school is out and temporary employment to make up the difference is hard to come by on such an inconsistent basis. Veterans, particularly our combat veterans returning from war, face enough obstacles as they transition back into civilian life. For those trying to earn their degree, unstable housing allowances make it even harder," Jolly said. "In simple terms, this bill gives veterans the financial support they need to remain in school by extending their monthly housing stipend to cover semester breaks, including the summer months and the time immediately before and after a semester. It's a simple move that ensures veterans receive the support they deserve in return for all they have sacrificed."

The introduction of the Student Veterans Housing Support Act was quickly applauded by those in higher education.

"I applaud Representative Loebsack for introducing legislation that makes it easier for veterans to earn a degree. While their service to our nation can never be repaid, this proposal is a step in the right direction," said University of Iowa President Sally Mason. "The UI has consistently been recognized as one of the best schools in the nation for veterans and this change will make a UI degree even more attainable."

"This legislation would remove roadblocks for the more than 2,100 veterans, active military members and military dependents we proudly serve at St. Petersburg College, which has consistently been rated as one of the top colleges for veterans," said St. Petersburg College President Bill Law. "Earning a degree is life-changing event, and I commend Congressman Jolly for his efforts to assist our veterans in their educational pursuits."

"I would like to thank Congressman Jolly for sponsoring this important piece of legislation," added University of South Florida System President, Dr. Judy Genshaft.  "At the University of South Florida, we're proud of our standing as one of the most veteran-friendly universities in the country and being home to one of the nation's largest student veteran populations.  Military veterans deserve our support and this bill will help provide USF's 1,500 student veterans with additional opportunities to find educational success."

Specifically, the Student Veterans Housing Support Act would:

·         Rein­state liv­ing expense stipends dur­ing school breaks and extend the interval pay to include summer periods;

·         Provide a housing allowance for the month preceding the start of an educational program for veterans enrolled more than half-time; and

·         Provide full monthly housing allowance for veterans only enrolled in online classes.

Friday, May 29, 2015

10:00 a.m.

Becherer Hall Auditorium

1821 Sunset Drive - Bettendorf, IA

Commencement Speaker: Chad Pregracke - Founder and President of Living Lands & Waters and a winner of CNN's 2013 Heroes of the Year awards. Pregracke was also featured on Mike Rowe's "Somebody's Gotta Do It" CNN program last April.

Graduates

Raza Adam Dada, son of Aisha and Sohail Dada

To attend University of California-Berkeley, California

Sukhmani Gill, daughter of Gupreet and Sohan Gill

To attend St. Ambrose University, Iowa

Ryan Howell, son of Deb and Brad Howell

To attend Edgewood College, Wisconsin

Tejasvi Kotte, daughter of Madhavi and Ramana Kotte

To attend University of Iowa, Iowa

Hayley Moran, daughter of Deena Harroun and Ken Moran

To attend University of Iowa, Iowa

Michal Porubcin, son of Chae Hee and Michal Porubcin

To attend Columbia University, New York

Lauren Sears, daughter of Melissa and James Sears

To attend Lake Forest College, Illinois

Suhas Seshadri, son of H.M. Rathna and T.V. Seshadri

To attend University of Miami- Coral Gables, Florida

Loring Telleen, daughter of Amy and John Telleen

To attend Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri

Gwyneth Vollman, daughter of Colleen Small-Vollman and Brant Vollman

To attend Lindenwood University, Missouri

IOWA CITY, IA (05/26/2015)(readMedia)-- University of Iowa students from your area recently participated in the UI College of Dentistry White Coat Ceremony. Those students include :

Keegan Bohn of Bettendorf (52722)

Christopher Lawhead of Muscatine (52761)

Lauren Schemmel of Blue Grass (52726)

The White Coat Ceremony honors first-year dental students as they move into the second year that involves their first patient experiences. The dental students were ceremonially cloaked with their first white laboratory coats and in the presence of family, friends and faculty, the students recited the Oath of a Dentist.

The UI College of Dentistry is currently the only dental school in the country with advanced programs in all recognized specialty areas. Approximately 79 percent of dentists in the state of Iowa are UI College of Dentistry alums.