IOWA CITY, IA (07/29/2014)(readMedia)-- Approximately 5,000 students received degrees from the University of Iowa at the close of the 2014 spring semester.

Students from your area receiving degrees include :

Katherine Adam from Bettendorf (BS-Mathematics ; Actuarial Science)

Katherine Adam from Bettendorf (CER-Risk Management and Insurance)

Christopher Anthony from Bettendorf (MD-Medicine)

Lee Betker from Bettendorf (BA-History; Anthropology)

Matthew Bettenhausen from Bettendorf (BBA-Finance; Economics)

Luke Bieber from Bettendorf (BA-Communication Studies)

Luke Bieber from Bettendorf (CER-Entrepreneurial Management)

Aaron Cain from Bettendorf (BA-Communication Studies)

Brandon Craig from Bettendorf (BS-Computer Science)

Lynne Cropper from Bettendorf (MA-Religious Studies)

Eric Derby from Bettendorf (BBA-Marketing)

Nicholas Ehrecke from Bettendorf (BA-Psychology)

Nicholas Ehrecke from Bettendorf (BS-Human Physiology)

Garrett Ellard from Bettendorf (BA-Interdepartmental Studies)

Emma Evanovich from Bettendorf (BA-Psychology)

Jacob Fenton from Bettendorf (BA-Interdepartmental Studies; Environmental Policy and Planning)

Erinn Flahive from Bettendorf (BA-Health and Human Physiology)

Erinn Flahive from Bettendorf (CER-Entrepreneurial Management)

David Garrison from Bettendorf (BA-Mathematics)

Christine Gill from Bettendorf (MD-Medicine)

Kyle Hanrahan from Bettendorf (BA-Economics)

Brennan Hawley from Bettendorf (MBA-MBA for Professionals and Managers)

Trevin Hayman from Bettendorf (MD-Medicine)

Roderick Hoover from Bettendorf (BS-Biology)

Alex Jager from Bettendorf (MA-Library and Information Science)

Michael Kardell from Bettendorf (BBA-Finance)

Brittany Kepner from Bettendorf (BS-Leisure Studies)

Harikrishnan Kesavan Nair from Bettendorf (MBA-MBA Executive Program)

Cristina Kilburg from Bettendorf (DDS-Dentistry)

Randy Klosak from Bettendorf (BS-Human Physiology)

Sarah Kowalczyk from Bettendorf (BA-Art)

Tyler Kress from Bettendorf (BSE-Industrial Engineering)

Ashley Lafever from Bettendorf (MD-Medicine)

Renee LaFrentz from Bettendorf (BS-Human Physiology)

Alexandra Lubbers from Bettendorf (BA-German; Linguistics)

Katy Mahoney from Bettendorf (BA-Mathematics)

Samuel McNamara from Bettendorf (BSN-Nursing)

Nicole Melchert from Bettendorf (BA-Health and Human Physiology)

Amber Meyer from Bettendorf (MD-Medicine)

Tamra Mohs from Bettendorf (DNP-Nursing)

Daniel Morse from Bettendorf (BA-English; Computer Science)

Daniel Morse from Bettendorf (BS-Physics)

Tiffany Mu from Bettendorf (BBA-Management)

Emily Myers from Bettendorf (BA-Spanish; International Relations)

Lauren Negaard from Bettendorf (BA-Journalism and Mass Communication)

Lauren Negaard from Bettendorf (CER-Performing Arts Entrepreneurship)

Pamela Nichols from Bettendorf (BAS-Bachelor of Applied Studies)

Ram Niwas from Bettendorf (MBA-MBA Executive Program)

Andrea Odvarko from Bettendorf (DNP-Nursing)

Susan Parker from Bettendorf (MBA-MBA Executive Program)

Reeya Patel from Bettendorf (BS-Human Physiology)

Elizabeth Pliakos from Bettendorf (BA-Biochemistry)

Sachin Ramteke from Bettendorf (MBA-MBA Executive Program)

Gautam Reddy from Bettendorf (MD-Medicine)

Gautam Reddy from Bettendorf (MPH)

Maria-Alessandra Roa from Bettendorf (BS-Human Physiology)

Andrew Schwartz from Bettendorf (MBA-MBA for Professionals and Managers)

Christine Schwartz from Bettendorf (BA-Biology)

Danny Shelton from Bettendorf (BS-Medical Laboratory Science)

Zachary Smith from Bettendorf (MAC-Accounting)

Amanda Stahle from Bettendorf (BBA-Marketing)

Mark Steinhauser from Bettendorf (BA-Social Work)

Lisa Stevenson from Bettendorf (PHD-Educational Policy and Leadership Studies)

Deirdre Stolmeier from Bettendorf (MD-Medicine)

Lauren Suhl from Bettendorf (BA-Speech and Hearing Science)

Craig Sutton from Bettendorf (MBA-MBA Executive Program)

Alison Swanson from Bettendorf (BBA-Management)

Quinlan Syfert from Bettendorf (BS-Human Physiology)

Stephanie Taylor from Bettendorf (BA-History)

Akhil Tipnis from Bettendorf (MBA-MBA for Professionals and Managers)

Maggie Walls from Bettendorf (BBA-Marketing)

Kelsey Warner from Bettendorf (BA-Speech and Hearing Science; Psychology)

Hunter Watson from Bettendorf (BBA-Finance)

James White from Bettendorf (JD-Law)

Raheel Yaseen from Bettendorf (BA-Biology)

Robert Yoerger from Bettendorf (MBA-MBA Executive Program)

Naum Zaprudsky from Bettendorf (BA-Informatics; Sociology)

Michael Conger from Blue Grass (BSE-Mechanical Engineering)

Lisa Decker from Blue Grass (DNP-Nursing)

Trenten Petersen from Blue Grass (BA-Informatics)

Danna Smith from Blue Grass (BBA-Marketing)

Natalie Wakefield from Blue Grass (BS-Human Physiology)

Abby Simbro from Bondurant (BA-International Studies)

Abby Simbro from Bondurant (CER-Sustainability Program)

Erin Abbas from Davenport (BS-Psychology)

Johanna Acevedo from Davenport (MBA-MBA for Professionals and Managers)

Alexander Anton from Davenport (BA-Political Science)

Kaysha Ballentine from Davenport (MAT-Teaching and Learning)

Angela Barr from Davenport (BFA-Art)

Joshua Behrendt from Davenport (BSE-Mechanical Engineering)

Katherine Beydler from Davenport (BA-Classical Languages)

Katherine Beydler from Davenport (BS-Biology)

Jenna Blessing from Davenport (BSN-Nursing)

Taylor Borders from Davenport (BA-Economics)

Valerie Bustle from Davenport (MBA-MBA Full-time Program)

Megan Carney from Davenport (BM-Music)

Thomas Carroll from Davenport (BBA-Finance)

Kennon Christian from Davenport (PHR-Pharmacy)

Kirsten Ciccotelli from Davenport (BAS-Bachelor of Applied Studies)

Zachary Cleve from Davenport (MA-Art)

Angela Congrove from Davenport (BA-Asian Languages and Literature)

Cody Curtis from Davenport (BS-Leisure Studies)

Cody Curtis from Davenport (CER-Entrepreneurial Management)

Joseph Daniel from Davenport (BBA-Accounting)

Olivia Day from Davenport (BA-Elementary Education)

Riley De La Cruz from Davenport (BA-Elementary Education)

Natalie Del Vecchio from Davenport (BS-Human Physiology)

Jennifer Divita from Davenport (MA-Speech Pathology and Audiology)

Kelly Divita from Davenport (BS-Human Physiology)

Angel Dominguez from Davenport (BA-Social Work)

Angel Dominguez from Davenport (CER-Critical Cultural Competence)

Ashton Dooley from Davenport (BA-Psychology)

Jessica Dougherty from Davenport (BSE-Biomedical Engineering)

Alicia Duyvejonck from Davenport (DNP-Nursing)

Sami Faruqui from Davenport (MD-Medicine)

Jake Fells from Davenport (BA-Economics)

Palmer Foster from Davenport (BS-Leisure Studies)

Palmer Foster from Davenport (CER-Entrepreneurial Management)

Elizabeth Fritz from Davenport (BA-Health and Human Physiology)

Amy Green from Davenport (DNP-Nursing)

Kirstan Green from Davenport (BSN-Nursing)

Austin Harris from Davenport (BBA-Management)

William Hawkinson from Davenport (MAC-Accounting)

Brittany Hendrix from Davenport (BA-Art History)

Brittany Hendrix from Davenport (BS-Geoscience)

Katherine Hixon from Davenport (BSE-Biomedical Engineering)

Weihua Hu from Davenport (BA-Health and Human Physiology)

Nicole Ito from Davenport (BA-Psychology)

Alejandro Jimenez from Davenport (BFA-Art)

Matthew Keck from Davenport (CER-Radiologic Technology)

trevor kenyon from Davenport (BS-Leisure Studies)

Thao Kieu from Davenport (DDS-Dentistry)

Elizabeth Knoche from Davenport (BBA-Management)

Robb Laake from Davenport (BSE-Mechanical Engineering)

Amanda Loughead from Davenport (BA-International Studies)

Theresa Mac from Davenport (PHR-Pharmacy)

Joseph Matson from Davenport (BA-Political Science)

Tyler McClanahan-Amerine from Davenport (BA-Health and Human Physiology)

Eric McDonald from Davenport (BS-Geoscience)

Sarah Meade from Davenport (BA-Psychology)

Kiley Murphy from Davenport (BFA-Art)

Emily Nauman from Davenport (BA-Psychology)

James Nebinger from Davenport (BS-Biology)

Michael O'Hara from Davenport (BA-English)

Michael O'Hara from Davenport (CER-Writing)

Trae Olsen from Davenport (MBA-MBA for Professionals and Managers)

Becka Otting from Davenport (BBA-Marketing)

Jill Peekenschneider from Davenport (MA-Rehabilitation and Counselor Education)

Jamie Porter from Davenport (CER-Physician Assistant)

Jamie Porter from Davenport (MPA)

Andrew Randone from Davenport (JD-Law)

Constance Riggins from Davenport (BA-Psychology; English)

Meghan Ryan from Davenport (BA-Political Science)

Claire Saskowski from Davenport (BSE-Biomedical Engineering)

Nicholas Schaefer from Davenport (BA-Economics)

Rachel Schebler from Davenport (BA-English)

Anne Sheridan from Davenport (MA-English)

Lindsey Skahill from Davenport (BA-Interdepartmental Studies)

Daniel Snicker from Davenport (BA-English)

Tabitha Stewart from Davenport (BA-Social Work)

Pamela Swanson from Davenport (BA-Music)

Daniel Tomsha from Davenport (BBA-Marketing)

Brian Triplett from Davenport (MA-Leisure Studies)

Nicholas Trizzino from Davenport (BA-Communication Studies; Interdepartmental Studies)

Allison Vandecar from Davenport (BSE-Industrial Engineering)

Maite Vazquez from Davenport (BA-Interdepartmental Studies)

Sara Whetstine from Davenport (MHA-Health Management and Policy)

Kellen Wiest from Davenport (BA-Health and Human Physiology)

Ashley Willows from Davenport (BA-Psychology)

Emily Zelnio from Davenport (BSE-Chemical Engineering)

Kelsey Berens from Eldridge (BSE-Civil Engineering)

Nicholas Hennigan from Eldridge (BSE-Mechanical Engineering)

Nicholas Meyer from Eldridge (BBA-Management)

Jacob Reed from Eldridge (BBA-Business Analytics and Information Systems)

Stephen Sorensen from Eldridge (BSE-Electrical Engineering)

Joshua Clifton from Le Claire (BA-Communication Studies)

Scott Haack from Le Claire (MBA-MBA Executive Program)

Ben Makovec from Le Claire (MBA-MBA for Professionals and Managers)

Ian Smith from Le Claire (BSE-Chemical Engineering)

DeWayne Hatcher from Leclaire (MBA-MBA Executive Program)

Hiba Irshad from Leclaire (BA-International Studies)

Kinsey Johnson from Leclaire (BA-Speech and Hearing Science)

Ryan Pegorick from Leclaire (BA-Informatics)

Samantha Cosner from Long Grove (BA-Health and Human Physiology)

Mikeesha Means from Long Grove (BA-Psychology)

BreeAnna Mess from Long Grove (BA-Health and Human Physiology)

Allen Olson from Long Grove (MA-Teaching and Learning)

Kelsey Redmond from Long Grove (CER-Radiologic Technology)

Aaron Lehman from Marion (MBA-MBA for Professionals and Managers)

Anna Miller from New Liberty (BA-Health and Human Physiology)

Aaron Keith from Ottumwa (BA-Health and Human Physiology)

Lynn Rider from Pleasant Valley (BS-Leisure Studies)

Lynn Rider from Pleasant Valley (CER-Leadership Studies)

Jonelle Addabbo from Riverdale (BS-Human Physiology)

Joel D'Camp from Riverdale (BBA-Marketing; Economics)

Bryce Geurink from Walcott (BSE-Mechanical Engineering)

Samantha Longner from Walcott (BA-Health and Human Physiology)

Steffany Patch from Walcott (BS-International Relations)

Sally Alexander from East Moline (DNP-Nursing)

JohnPatrick Brown from East Moline (BA-Political Science)

JohnPatrick Brown from East Moline (BS-Psychology)

Vijay Jujjavarapu from East Moline (MBA-MBA Executive Program)

Nicholas Amato from Moline (MBA-MBA for Professionals and Managers)

Daniel Dorr from Moline (BBA-Management; Marketing)

William Elliott from Moline (BA-Ethics and Public Policy; Economics)

Lani Engstrom from Moline (BA-Theatre Arts)

Lani Engstrom from Moline (BBA-Marketing)

Kevin Johnson from Rock Island (BSE-Biomedical Engineering)

Emily Ruiz from Rock Island (MFA-Theatre Arts)

Gregory Simon from Taylor Ridge (MBA-MBA Executive Program)

Law Establishes a Statewide Advisory Referendum on Nov. 4 Ballot

BERWYN - Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation that will give Illinois residents the opportunity to voice their opinion on whether millionaires should pay a little more to help ensure all students have access to a high-quality education. The legislation establishes a statewide advisory referendum on the November 4 ballot to ask voters if they favor a surcharge paid by the state's wealthiest individuals to provide much-needed funding for public education in classrooms across Illinois. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's commitment to delivering stronger education in Illinois.

"Our democracy is strongest when more voters make their voices heard about important matters of public policy," Governor Quinn said. "Illinois voters will now be able to have their say when it comes to whether the state's most fortunate should pay a little more to put more resources in our classrooms. An investment in education is the best investment we can make for our economic future."

House Bill 3816, sponsored by Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) and State Senator Michael Noland (D-Elgin), creates a Nov. 4, 2014 advisory referendum to ask voters whether the Illinois Constitution should be amended to require that each school district receive additional revenue, based on their number of students, from an additional three percent tax on income greater than one million dollars. These resources would be directed towards classroom education. The legislation is effective immediately.

The Illinois Department of Revenue estimates that a three percent tax on income greater than $1 million would generate approximately $1 billion annually for elementary and secondary education. The Governor signed the legislation today at Irving Elementary School in Berwyn.

"This legislation will provide an important benchmark. Illinois is long overdue for tax fairness and a much needed boost for our school children," Speaker Madigan said.

Governor Quinn is committed to properly funding education in Illinois in order to give every child the opportunity for success. The Governor's 5-year budget blueprint includes an historic $6 billion increase in classroom spending over the next five years, doubling the investment in college scholarships for students in need and increasing access to higher education through dual enrollment and early college programs. Over the next five years, the Governor's plan would bring classroom funding to the highest levels in Illinois history.

New Law Makes Lottery Process Transparent and Helps Prevent Conflicts of Interest

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to improve fairness and accountability in the student selection process, governance and funding of charter schools throughout Illinois. The reform legislation sets new standards of transparency for charter schools, which receive public funds but operate independently. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to give every child the opportunity for a high quality education and also make Illinois' government more accountable, transparent and effective.

"Every child deserves access to a good school," Governor Quinn said. "With this new law, the public will now have more information and more say in how charter schools operate and spend public funds."

House Bill 3232, sponsored by State Representative Emanuel Chris Welch (D-Hillside) and State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-Chicago), helps to improve transparency and accountability in Illinois' charter schools. Under the new law, when more students apply to a charter school than the school has available spots, a lottery will be held to select which students may enroll. The new law requires the lottery process to be videotaped and made publicly available. It also requires the local governing body, usually the school district, to be involved in the process to strengthen accountability. Charter schools must also now submit quarterly financial statements and their waiting lists of students hoping to enroll.

The bill also requires that a governing board, independent of the organization that manages the school, be established to oversee each charter school. This provision is intended to prevent any potential conflicts of interest in the operation of the charter school. The law also includes new protections of public funds, including the return of any unspent funds and remaining property to the local school district or the State Board of Education if a charter school closes. In addition, charter and traditional schools must now include a disclaimer when public funds are used for marketing purposes. The new law is effective for the 2015-2016 school year.

"I am glad we were able to bring the proponents and opponents of the bill to the table and strike an agreement in order to provide a better educational environment for parents, students and taxpayers," Representative Welch said. "This legislation is about accountability and ensuring that public resources are used in a responsible manner. This bill helps to guarantee that the state resources earmarked for the classroom are protected and spent in the classroom, so our investments are best serving education in Illinois."

"Inaccessible procedures, ethically questionable activities and policies that limit families' fair access to taxpayer-funded schools have no place in public education," Senator Collins said. "Innovation in education does not require secrecy. I am pleased to stand with those in the charter school movement who understand and embrace their responsibility to the public."

In 2011, Governor Quinn signed legislation that established an independent charter school commission that is dedicated to school reform and has the power to authorize, regulate and increase academic and financial accountability of charter schools throughout the state. Also in 2011, the Governor worked to pass a landmark education reform package that has made Illinois a model for the nation. In 2012, Governor Quinn signed a law that empowers parents by providing them with a detailed report card on their children's school and school district.