21 May 2014

Alexandria Clark graduates from Creighton University College of Arts and Sciences

By Cindy Workman

OMAHA, NE (05/20/2014)(readMedia)-- Alexandria Clark of Rock Island, was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the College of Arts and Sciences during Creighton University's commencement ceremony on May 17, 2014, at the CenturyLink Center Omaha. University President Timothy R. Lannon, S.J., presided. Lannon, a 1973 graduate of the University, is the first alum to serve as president of Creighton. About 1,600 degrees were conferred during Creighton University's spring commencement.

Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., enrolls 4,000 undergraduates and 4,000 graduate and professional students among nine schools and colleges. No other university its size offers students such a comprehensive academic environment with personal attention from faculty-mentors. Jesuit and Catholic, it affords incomparable interprofessional education, bridging health professions programs with law, business and arts and sciences- all on one walkable campus. Creighton has been top-ranked by U.S. News & World Report for 20 years.

21 May 2014

ELLSWORTH COMM. COLLEGE SPRING DEAN'S LIST

By Robin Anctil
IOWA FALLS, Iowa (May 20, 2014) - One hundred fifty-one students have been named to the Spring 2014 (January to May) Dean's List at Ellsworth Community College. To be eligible for the Dean's List, students must have taken 12 or more credit hours during the semester (a full-time class load) and have earned at least a 3.5 grade point average while attending ECC classes in Iowa Falls or online. Part-time students are not included on this list, and developmental courses do not count toward a student's GPA. The ECC administration and staff congratulate these students for their academic excellence.

Among those honored are Megan Denny and Trey Muilenburg, both of Bettendorf.

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21 May 2014

Treasurer Fitzgerald Reminds Iowans it is Their Last Chance to Register for Giveaway

By Karen Austin

Celebrate 529 Day by registering for a chance to win a $5,290 College Savings Iowa Account

DES MOINES, IA (05/20/2014)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald wants to remind Iowans it is their last chance to celebrate 529 College Savings Day by registering to win a $5,290 College Savings Iowa account for a child in their life. "I encourage everyone to register for the giveaway and explore the benefits of using a 529 plan, such as College Savings Iowa, to save for their loved ones' future higher education expenses," Fitzgerald said. "By starting early, saving a little at a time and making smart investment choices, families can make their savings work for them." For more information about the program and to register for the giveaway, please visit collegesavingsiowa.com before May 31.

Iowa families are encouraged to open a College Savings Iowa account for a special child in their life. May 29, 529 College Savings Day, helps bring attention to the fact that saving for college is one of the most significant things families can do for the children in their lives. Over time, those who begin putting away money early can make their college savings add up to a significant amount.

College Savings Iowa offers families a tax advantaged way to save money for their children's higher education. It only takes $25 to open an account, and anyone - parents, grandparents, friends and relatives - can invest in College Savings Iowa on behalf of a child. Iowa taxpayers have the additional benefit of being able to deduct contributions up to $3,098 per beneficiary account from their 2014 Iowa adjusted gross income.* Investors can withdraw their investment federally tax-free to pay for qualified higher education expenses including tuition, books, supplies and certain room and board costs at any eligible college, university, community college or accredited technical training school in the United States or abroad.

. For more information about future giveaways and events find College Savings Iowa on Facebook and Twitter (@Iowa529Plan).

*Adjusted annually for inflation. If withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income. The earnings portion of non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as state income taxes. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.

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Investment returns are not guaranteed and you could lose money by investing in the plan. Participants assume all investment risks as well as responsibility for any federal and state tax consequences. If you are not an Iowa taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program.

For more information about the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan, call 888-672-9116 or visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com to obtain a Program Description. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are included in the Program Description; read and consider it carefully before investing.

College Savings Iowa is an Iowa trust sponsored by the Iowa State Treasurer's Office. The Treasurer of the State of Iowa sponsors and is responsible for overseeing the administration of the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan. The Vanguard Group, Inc., serves as Investment Manager and Vanguard Marketing Corporation, an affiliate of The Vanguard Group, Inc., assists the Treasurer with marketing and distributing the Plan. Upromise Investment Advisors, LLC, provides records administration services. The Plan's portfolios, although they invest in Vanguard mutual funds, are not mutual funds.

19 May 2014

NWTF Announces Winner of 2014 National Scholarship

By Peter Muller

EDGEFIELD, S.C. ? Mallory Spring of East Fultonham, Ohio, was recognized at her high school awards ceremony as the recipient of the National Wild Turkey Federation's (NWTF) 2014 National Scholarship sponsored by Mossy Oak, surprising both her and a crowd of her peers. The $10,000 scholarship will help Spring pursue a degree in wildlife biology and natural resource management.

Just a few days before learning of her award, Spring enjoyed a successful NWTF youth turkey hunt in Ohio with Eddie Salter and James Earl Kennamer, Ph.D., NWTF chief conservation officer. Not a bad week for anyone, especially a 17-year-old high school senior.

"I knew I had received other NWTF scholarships but this one [the national scholarship] came completely out of the blue," said Spring. "I have always been interested in the outdoors and I hope to pass on my knowledge to others as I pursue my degree and continue with the NWTF."

Spring is set to graduate near the top of her class despite a rigorous academic course load and a schedule jam packed with extracurricular activities. Her impressive resume of both school and extra-curricular activities includes:
· Composite Score of 33 on ACT (99% Rank in Ohio and the US)
· 2013 Ohio Delegate to Citizenship Washington Focus
· Muskingum Soil & Water Conservation District Job Shadow
· Ohio Youth Capitol Challenge Ambassador
· 2011 Ohio NWTF Xtreme JAKE of the Year - JAKES member since 2005
· Ohio State 4-H Ambassador
· Ohio Delegate to the National 4-H Congress
· 4-H Shooting Sports Camp Counselor
· 4-H County Medal Awards for leadership, achievement, forestry, community service, citizenship and rifles
· National Archery in the Schools Program - 2013 Ohio State Champion and Overall Tournament Champion

Spring was the recipient of the $1,000 NWTF Ohio scholarship, making her eligible for the national honor. She also received a $250 scholarship from her local chapter, the Y-Bridge Longbeards. To date, the NWTF has contributed more than $4.6 million in scholarships to students making up the next generation of hunters and conservationists.

"I've had the pleasure of meeting and working with Mallory on the Y-Bridge Longbeards Chapter Committee. She is great girl who is fun-loving, vibrant and full of laughter," said Shawn Dickey, NWTF district field supervisor. "It was my pleasure to announce the award and see her peers give her a standing ovation."

For information about the NWTF scholarship program or to download an application, visit http://www.nwtf.org/jakes/scholarship.html.

The NWTF Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative is a charge that mobilizes science, fundraising and devoted volunteers to give the NWTF more energy and purpose than ever. Through this national initiative, NWTF has committed to raising $1.2 billion to conserve and enhance more than 4 million acres of essential upland wildlife habitat, create at least 1.5 million hunters and open access to 500,000 acres for hunting, shooting and outdoor enjoyment. Without hunters, there will be no wildlife or habitat. The NWTF is determined to Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt.
19 May 2014

Rivermont Collegiate is proud to be recognized as the highest-ranking college prep school on the 2014 Iowa AP Index.

By Brittany Marrieta

The Belin-Blank Center of The University of Iowa College of Education annually releases the Iowa AP Index to recognize Iowa high schools for providing Advanced Placement opportunities. The 2014 Iowa AP Index is based on May 2013 AP exams and May/June 2013 graduation data. The formula is the number of AP exams given divided by the number of students in the graduating class. A high AP Index is a reflection that a school has a culture that is supportive of and places emphasis on student participation in AP courses and exams.

It's important to note that Magnet schools, Specially Accredited College Preparatory schools (Rivermont Collegiate), non-accredited schools, and home schools are not included in the AP Index Top 50 ranking. This change took effect in 2008. These schools, however, can receive special recognition for their score, as Rivermont has. Furthermore, because all schools are scored using the same formula, the Iowa AP Index provides a fair comparison across all school sizes and types, whether schools are included in the AP Index Top 50 ranking or not.

The following lists 2014 Iowa AP Index scores for Rivermont and local schools placing in the Top 50 ranking.

Rivermont Collegiate - 2.50

Bettendorf High School - 1.40

West High School - 0.81

Central High School - 0.67

North High School - 0.57

Pleasant Valley High School - no score, opted out, or not in top 50

 

For more information on the Iowa AP Index, see the attachment and visit http://www.iowaapindex.org/index.htm
19 May 2014

Culver-Stockton presents degrees during 158th Annual Commencement

By Culver-Stockton College Communications Office

CANTON, MO (05/19/2014)(readMedia)-- Culver-Stockton College proudly presented diplomas to 165 graduates Saturday, May 17, during the 158th Annual Commencement exercises. Hundreds of family, friends, faculty and staff attended the ceremony, which was held on the campus of Culver-Stockton College, in the Charles Field House.

Local students conferred with degrees include :

James Granack of East Moline, Ill., who earned a Bachelor of Science in sport management. ;

Ian Sodawasser of Davenport, Iowa, who earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre. Sodawasser graduated Cum Laude;

Culver-Stockton College, located in Canton, Mo., is a four-year residential institution in affiliation with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). C-SC specializes in experiential education and is one of only two colleges in the nation to offer the 12/3 semester calendar, where the typical 15 week semester is divided into two terms, a 12-week term and a 3-week term.

19 May 2014

Illinois College Inducts Local Students into Phi Beta Kappa

By MaryEllen Roy

JACKSONVILLE, IL (05/19/2014)(readMedia)-- Illinois College inducted 17 new members into the Epsilon chapter of Phi Beta Kappa Society during a ceremony on May 8, 2014. Each of the following local students are now a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation's oldest and most distinguished honor society:

Elizabeth Manary of Moline

Hannah Oak of Taylor Ridge

One of only 11 colleges in the state of Illinois to offer membership into this distinguished society, the Illinois College Epsilon chapter was founded by Charles Rammelkamp in 1932.

About Illinois College: Founded in 1829, Illinois College is a residential liberal arts college fostering academic excellence rooted in opportunities for experiential learning while preparing students for lifelong success. The college is located in Jacksonville, Ill. With an enrollment of nearly 1,000 students, the college offers over 50 undergraduate programs and a Master of Arts in Education degree program.

Illinois College is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. Visit www.ic.edu or call 217-245-3595 for more information.

16 May 2014

Rachel Rauch among spring 2014 candidates for degree at the University of Kansas

By Christy Little

LAWRENCE (05/15/2014)(readMedia)-- The names of nearly 4,450 candidates for degree from the University of Kansas this spring - representing 88 Kansas counties, 45 other states and and 41 other countries - have been announced by the University Registrar.

Those students include Rachel Rauch, of Leclaire. Rauch will receive a Bachelor of General Studies in Applied Behavioral Sciences and minor in Dance.

KU's 142nd Commencement will be Sunday, May 18. More than half of the members of the Class of 2014 are expected to participate.

Faculty and candidates for degrees will assemble at 10 a.m. along Memorial Drive for the procession, which begins at 10:30 a.m.

16 May 2014

QC Students Create Art from Trash

By Brittany Marrieta

QC Students Divert Trash from Local Landfills, Create Work of Art for their School

Project Made Possible by Grant from Waste Commission of Scott County

Plastic bottle caps are one of the top 10 items found during marine debris clean-ups and are the second most littered item after cigarette butts. Thanks to a grant from the Waste Commission of Scott County, Rivermont Collegiate students in Bettendorf are doing something about that!

Rivermont students in Kindergarten through 12th Grade, under the direction of Visual Art Teacher Colleen Tomlinson, have created a 6' x 8' Collaborative Bottle Cap Mural, which will be displayed at the school. Over 2,300 plastic caps were repurposed in the mural and diverted from local landfills!  The project was made possible by an educational grant from the Waste Commission of Scott County.

The collaborative project took place from August 2013 through April 2014. As the entire Rivermont Community (students, parents, faculty, and staff) collected plastic bottle caps (pop bottles, laundry detergent, yogurt cups, shampoo bottles, etc.) students saw firsthand how quickly small items of trash accumulate, even within a small school community. At the same time, students explored how artists use trash as a medium to encourage environmental awareness and change. From graphing the variety of bottle cap colors collected to studying contemporary artists who repurpose trash, the project not only spanned Kindergarten through 12th Grade, but also across disciplines.

The mural theme was inspired by Regionalism and Midwest landscapes created by Grant Wood. It will be permanently displayed at Rivermont. In fact, students have enough leftover bottle caps that they have started a second mural!

For additional information, contact:  Brittany Marietta - Rivermont Collegiate - (563) 359-1366 ext. 308 or marietta@rvmt.org

16 May 2014

Downward Trend in College Enrollments Shows Signs of Slowing

By Paula Newbaker

National Student Clearinghouse® Research Center™ Report Shows
Only Slight Decrease Compared to Last Year

Herndon, Virginia, May 15, 2014 - In the current term, college enrollments continued to decline, but at a slower rate than in recent terms, according to the just-released Spring Current Term Enrollment Estimates from the National Student Clearinghouse® Research Center™. In spring 2014, overall postsecondary enrollments decreased 0.8 percent from the previous spring, the smallest decrease since spring 2012, when enrollments declined 0.3 percent. The Clearinghouse first started reporting on current term enrollments in fall 2011.

Results for the spring 2014 term differ greatly by institutional sector, with continued decreases at four-year for-profit institutions (-4.9 percent) and two-year public institutions (-2.7 percent). However, enrollments increased at four-year public institutions (0.7 percent) and four-year private nonprofit institutions (2.0 percent).

Published every May and December, Current Term Enrollment Estimates are based on postsecondary institutions actively submitting data to the Clearinghouse. These institutions account for 96 percent of the nation's Title IV, degree-granting enrollments. The data are highly current, since institutions make several data submissions per term. In addition, since the Clearinghouse receives data at the student level, an unduplicated headcount is reported, avoiding double-counting of students enrolled in more than one institution.

Additional findings from the report include :

  • For-profit rates of decline have slowed considerably from last fall's 9.7 percent decline, but enrollments are still nearly 5 percent below last spring's total.
  • Declines continue to be concentrated among adult students (over age 24).
  • Traditional-age enrollments (students age 24 and under) grew by 0.7 percent.
  • Adult student enrollments at community colleges fell nearly 6 percent from spring 2013.
  • Enrollments declined in 37 states and increased in 13 states, with the largest increases seen in Oregon (5.2 percent) and New Hampshire (15.5 percent).

"It is encouraging to see that the number of younger students has begun to grow again after declining in each of the last three terms," stated Doug Shapiro, Executive Research Director of the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. "Not all college students enter straight from high school. Even recent graduates sometimes wait a semester or more. These 2014 spring enrollments could be an early indicator that the demand for college degrees among young adults is resuming its historic growth trend."

The Current Term Enrollment Estimates report for the fall 2014 term is scheduled for release in December 2014.

About the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center
The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center is the research arm of the National Student Clearinghouse. The Research Center collaborates with higher education institutions, states, school districts, high schools, and educational organizations as part of a national effort to better inform education leaders and policymakers. Through accurate longitudinal data outcomes reporting, the Research Center enables better educational policy decisions leading to improved student outcomes.

To learn more, visit http://research.studentclearinghouse.org.

 

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