ALLIANCE, OH (04/17/2015)(readMedia)-- Courtney Wachal, a Senior French and International Studies major of Bettendorf, Iowa, will present research at the University of Mount Union's eighth annual Student Celebration Honoring Our Latest Academic Research (SCHOLAR) Day on Tuesday, April 21 on Mount Union's campus.

Wachal will present, Why are Countries Willing to be Bound by International Law?.

SCHOLAR Day is a campus-wide event filled with presentations showcasing academic excellence and scholarly research conducted by Mount Union students.

Three formal presentation sessions and two poster sessions will be included this year, highlighting 47 formal presentations and 26 posters. Presentations will represent 19 departments and programs, including Mount Union's Master of Arts in Educational Leadership (MAEL) and Physician Assistant Studies graduate programs.

This event gives students a chance to share their latest academic research with faculty, staff, students, family, friends and the surrounding communities.

About SCHOLAR Day

SCHOLAR Day, which began in 2008, highlights the research projects of Mount Union's undergraduate students. The continued success of this academic tradition is made possible through the generous support of George '58 and Sally (Shrake '59) Stradley of Hartville, Ohio and the Donald and Alice Noble Foundation of Wooster, Ohio.

SCHOLAR Day is free and open to the public. A detailed schedule of all presentations and research abstracts as well as a campus map can be found online at www.mountunion.edu/scholarday. Programs will be available the day of the event, and guides will be stationed at all presentation facilities.

University of Mount Union

The University of Mount Union, founded in 1846, is a four-year, private institution grounded in the liberal arts tradition. The University is located in Alliance, OH, 80 miles of both Cleveland and Pittsburgh. Mount Union offers an array of broad-based and career-specific undergraduate and graduate programs to its 2,200 students who experience outstanding opportunities for success after graduation. Among members of the 2012 graduating class, 98% of those self-reporting started a degree-required career or were accepted to graduate school, all in an average of 20 days after graduation. The University is committed to providing a student-centered approach and an exceptional educational experience. For more information, visit mountunion.edu.

ROCK ISLAND, IL (04/16/2015)(readMedia)-- Augustana College announced 856 students were named to the Dean's List for the 2014-2015 winter term. Students who have earned this academic honor have maintained a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher on a four-point scale for courses taken during the term.

The following students from your area were among those named to the Dean's List:

Brandon Bauer, a first-year student from Bettendorf, IA, majoring in Theatre Arts and Communication Studies.

Olivia Covert-Proctor, a junior from Bettendorf, IA, majoring in Teaching German.

Brenna German, a sophomore from Bettendorf, IA, majoring in Communication Studies and Multimedia Journalism Mass Communication.

Hannah Griggs, a first-year student from Bettendorf, IA, majoring in Religion.

Shannon Larson, a sophomore from Bettendorf, IA, majoring in Business Administration.

Christopher McLaughlin, a sophomore from Bettendorf, IA, majoring in Business Administration.

Lubna Omar, a senior from Bettendorf, IA, majoring in Communication Sciences & Disorders.

Omar Rizvi, a junior from Bettendorf, IA, majoring in Pre-Medicine, Biology and Religion.

Sergio Tekeli, a junior from Bettendorf, IA, majoring in Pre-Medicine and Neuroscience.

Caitlin Thom, a sophomore from Bettendorf, IA, majoring in Music Composition.

Anthony TouVelle, a senior from Bettendorf, IA, majoring in German Studies and International Business.

Emmalynn Tully, a junior from Bettendorf, IA, majoring in Music Education.

Sarah Riedel, a senior from Long Grove, IA, majoring in Creative Writing.

Michael Hickey, a sophomore from Muscatine, IA, majoring in Economics, Accounting and Business Administration.

Joseph Oliger, a junior from Davenport, IA, majoring in Multimedia Journalism Mass Communication and Theatre Arts.

Haley Fox, a senior from Davenport, IA, majoring in Business Administration-Management.

Alyssa Kendell, a senior from Davenport, IA, majoring in Biology and Pre-Medicine.

Benjamin Knapper, a senior from Davenport, IA, majoring in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science.

Rebecca Knapper, a sophomore from Davenport, IA, majoring in Creative Writing, English and Scandinavian Studies.

Liam Baldwin, a sophomore from Davenport, IA, majoring in Undecided.

Adam Bengfort, a senior from Davenport, IA, majoring in Engineering Physics and Applied Mathematics.

Christine Harb, a senior from Davenport, IA, majoring in Biology and Pre-Medicine.

Michael Warhank, a sophomore from Davenport, IA, majoring in Pre-Medicine and Business Administration.

Travon Aldridge, a first-year student from Rock Island, IL, majoring in Business Administration.

Leo Anderson, a senior from Rock Island, IL, majoring in Liberal Arts.

Jessica Bacon, a senior from Rock Island, IL, majoring in Elementary Education.

Mariah Benson, a senior from Rock Island, IL, majoring in Biology.

Joseph Cross, a first-year student from Rock Island, IL, majoring in Undecided.

Atticus Garrison, a sophomore from Rock Island, IL, majoring in History.

Lizandra Gomez-Ramirez, a sophomore from Rock Island, IL, majoring in Anthropology and Political Science.

Kayla Jackson, a sophomore from Rock Island, IL, majoring in Psychology.

Benjamin McKay, a sophomore from Rock Island, IL, majoring in General Music.

Benjamin Payne, a junior from Rock Island, IL, majoring in Multimedia Journalism Mass Communication.

Anish Reddy, a junior from Rock Island, IL, majoring in Pre-Medicine.

Austin Schoeck, a junior from Rock Island, IL, majoring in Political Science.

Roman Shepard, a senior from Rock Island, IL, majoring in Anthropology.

Rosalie Starenko, a senior from Rock Island, IL, majoring in Geography and Spanish.

Samantha Turner, a senior from Rock Island, IL, majoring in History and Anthropology.

Abigail Wieland, a first-year student from Rock Island, IL, majoring in Undecided.

Elizabeth Wieland, a first-year student from Rock Island, IL, majoring in Undecided.

Andrew Bainter, a junior from Coal Valley, IL, majoring in Undecided.

Rowan Crow, a senior from Coal Valley, IL, majoring in Teaching History.

Emily Grooms, a sophomore from Coal Valley, IL, majoring in Psychology and Art.

Andrew Shearouse, a senior from Coal Valley, IL, majoring in Business Administration-Management Information Systems and Computer Science.

Jacob Johnston, a sophomore from Cordova, IL, majoring in Accounting.

Taylor Anderson, a junior from East Moline, IL, majoring in Graphic Design.

Robert Holmquist, a senior from East Moline, IL, majoring in Physics and Mathematics.

Emily Johnson, a junior from East Moline, IL, majoring in Elementary Education.

Matthew Klyman, a junior from East Moline, IL, majoring in Chemistry.

Micaela Terronez, a senior from East Moline, IL, majoring in History and Anthropology.

Michael Daniels, a junior from Geneseo, IL, majoring in Business Administration, Economics and Accounting.

Kristina Humphreys, a sophomore from Geneseo, IL, majoring in Neuroscience.

Miachel Kerschieter, a sophomore from Geneseo, IL, majoring in Psychology and Communication Studies.

Samantha Noble, a junior from Geneseo, IL, majoring in Teaching Spanish.

Sarah English, a senior from Hillsdale, IL, majoring in Philosophy and Neuroscience.

Samantha McGreer, a senior from Illinois City, IL, majoring in Pre-Medicine and Biochemistry.

Amanda Johnson, a senior from Milan, IL, majoring in Neuroscience, Biology and Pre-Medicine.

Timothy Acri, a senior from Moline, IL, majoring in Biochemistry.

Mourin Azar, a first-year student from Moline, IL, majoring in Undecided.

Hassan Baig, a senior from Moline, IL, majoring in Religion.

Jacob Barr, a first-year student from Moline, IL, majoring in Undecided.

Chelsea Crumbleholme, a first-year student from Moline, IL, majoring in Undecided.

Maryedith Curtis, a junior from Moline, IL, majoring in Political Science, History and Religion.

Zachary Gray, a sophomore from Moline, IL, majoring in Undecided.

Alaina Hofmann, a first-year student from Moline, IL, majoring in Undecided.

Andrea Hult, a senior from Moline, IL, majoring in Accounting and Business Administration-Management.

Jens Hurty, a senior from Moline, IL, majoring in Music Education and Music Performance.

Katherine Karstens, a senior from Moline, IL, majoring in Business Administration-Finance and Accounting.

Makenzie Logan, a junior from Moline, IL, majoring in Psychology and Communication Sciences & Disorders.

Mariah Logan, a senior from Moline, IL, majoring in Music Education.

Jaime McLean, a first-year student from Moline, IL, majoring in Undecided.

Brock McNinch, a first-year student from Moline, IL, majoring in Undecided.

Chelsea Mentado, a junior from Moline, IL, majoring in Graphic Design.

Ted Mathew Nuguid, a first-year student from Moline, IL, majoring in Undecided.

Layne Porembski, a junior from Moline, IL, majoring in Accounting and French.

Emily Rasche, a junior from Moline, IL, majoring in Biology.

Cammie Ruhl, a senior from Moline, IL, majoring in Biology and Neuroscience.

Abigail Ryser, a junior from Moline, IL, majoring in Biology.

Tori Shock, a first-year student from Moline, IL, majoring in Undecided.

Marisa Lara, a junior from Silvis, IL, majoring in Graphic Design and Engineering Physics.

Elyzia Powers, a senior from Silvis, IL, majoring in Psychology.

Keith Sands, a junior from Silvis, IL, majoring in Mathematics and Teaching Math.

Rong Zheng, a junior from Silvis, IL, majoring in Biochemistry.

Sarah Kerres, a senior from Taylor Ridge, IL, majoring in Accounting and Business Administration-Finance.

Ryan Mueller, a sophomore from Taylor Ridge, IL, majoring in Undecided.

Katie Laschanzky, a sophomore from Muscatine, IA, majoring in Undecided.

April Anderson, a senior from Davenport, IA, majoring in Asian Studies.

Tyler James, a junior from Davenport, IA, majoring in Graphic Design and English.

Andrew Smith, a senior from Rock Island, IL, majoring in Accounting.

Nicholas Niles, a first-year student from Rock Island, IL, majoring in Undecided.

Jillian Jespersen, a junior from Rock Island, IL, majoring in Biology and Pre-Medicine.

Carli Hogan, a junior from Rock Island, IL, majoring in Biology.

John Martinez, a first-year student from Coal Valley, IL, majoring in Undecided.

Conner Brown, a sophomore from Moline, IL, majoring in Undecided.

Emma Bowman, a junior from Moline, IL, majoring in Business Administration-Marketing.

Matthew Tuttle-Timm, a sophomore from Moline, IL, majoring in Physics and Mathematics.

Meagan Rotramel, a first-year student from Moline, IL, majoring in Undecided.

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.

WAVERLY, IA (04/15/2015)(readMedia)-- Paris White of Muscatine was recognized Thursday, April 9, as a top student in religion during the Wartburg College Excellence in Teaching and Scholarship Convocation.

The award honors students for their academic excellence, service to the department and attitude.

Wartburg, a four-year liberal arts college internationally recognized for community engagement, enrolls 1,661 students. Wartburg is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and named after the castle in Germany where Martin Luther took refuge disguised as a knight during the stormy days of the Reformation, while translating the Bible from Greek into German.

Listening tour stops scheduled Benton, Rock Valley, and Southeast Polk Community School Districts

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds will visit three Iowa school districts this month to learn more about how the first year of Iowa's new Teacher Leadership and Compensation System has gone, starting with the Benton Community School District today.

Iowa's Teacher Leadership and Compensation System is the centerpiece of Iowa's landmark 2013 education reform package. It is being phased in over three years, with a price tag of $150 million annually when fully in place in 2016-17. Iowans agreed to make this investment because it's critical to restore our schools to best in the nation and give students a globally competitive education.

Better utilizing the expertise of many of Iowa's top teachers in new roles will help schools improve instruction and raise achievement. Those new roles include instructional coaches, mentors and model teachers. With higher expectations for all students, teacher leaders support the more demanding work teachers must do by analyzing data, fine tuning lessons and co-teaching.

Benton is among the first 39 school districts, with about a third of enrollment statewide, to adopt teacher leadership systems this school year. Another 76 school districts, with about a third of students statewide, will adopt teacher leadership systems in 2015-16. The goal is for all remaining districts to have their teacher leadership systems in place in 2016-17.

"We are confident that this unprecedented collaboration by teacher leaders, teachers and school administrators will transform education across Iowa," said Branstad. "Broad, bipartisan agreement in the Legislature allowed us to create the most extensive teacher leadership system in the nation."

"One of the biggest selling points for new Iowa's Teacher Leadership and Compensation System is that it will do more to attract and retain highly effective teachers," said Reynolds. "It is changing the culture of schools with more opportunities for ongoing professional development right in the classroom."

In addition to Benton, the governor and lt. governor will visit the Rock Valley and Southeast Polk Community School Districts.

The following teacher leadership listening tour stops are open to the media:

Wednesday, April 15, 2015 

11 a.m. Benton County Teacher Leadership Presentation

Atkins Elementary Center - Teacher Leadership Center

217 Fourth Ave.

Atkins, IA

Wednesday, April 22, 2014

12:30 p.m. Sioux County Teacher Leadership Presentation

Rock Valley Community School District Library

1712 20^th Ave.

Rock Valley, IA

Note: A tour of Rocket Manufacturing will follow

Monday, April 27, 2015

7:30 a.m. Polk County Teacher Leadership Presentation

Southeast Polk Junior High School Orchestra Room

8325 Northeast University Ave.

Pleasant Hill, IA