SIOUX FALLS, SD (01/07/2014)(readMedia)-- Augustana College today announced that Kara Bartels, of Davenport, Iowa, has been named to the Dean's List for the fall semester of the 2013-2014 academic year.

The Dean's List recognizes full-time students who have a minimum of 12 credit hours with grade-point averages at 3.5 or above.

About Augustana College

Founded in 1860, Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D., is a selective, residential, comprehensive college of the Lutheran Church. Committed to enriching lives and fostering development, Augustana combines a foundation in the liberal arts with professional skill and advanced study, leading the Templeton Guide to include the College among those that inspire students to lead ethical and civic-minded lives. With 1,765 students from 30 states and 44 countries, Augustana is featured among "America's Top Colleges" by Forbes; was ranked among the top baccalaureate colleges in the nation for its efforts to advance social mobility, research and service by Washington Monthly; and has been named a "Best Midwestern College" by The Princeton Review.

DES MOINES, IA (01/02/2014)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald wants to encourage families to start their New Year off with a bang by considering a contribution to a loved one's future education. "With the New Year, comes an increased Iowa state income tax deduction when making contributions to College Savings Iowa," Fitzgerald said. "Iowa taxpayers are now able to deduct the first $3,098 they contribute per child on their 2014 state taxes.* What better way to start off a new year than with an early deduction off of your taxes?"

College Savings Iowa is the state sponsored college savings plan that allows participants to start saving on behalf of a future scholar. "One of the best features of College Savings Iowa is how easy it is to get started," continued Fitzgerald. "All you need is $25 and ten minutes of your time to start saving for a loved one's future educational expenses. I encourage all families to save whatever they can today to help offset what has to be borrowed in the future.

College Savings Iowa lets parents, grandparents, friends and relatives invest for college on behalf of a future scholar. Investors in the plan can withdraw their investment tax-free to pay for qualified higher education expenses. These expenses include tuition, books, supplies and room and board at any eligible college, university, community college or accredited technical training school in the United States or abroad.** While participants do not need to be an Iowa resident to invest in the plan, they do need to be an Iowa taxpayer to take advantage of the Iowa income tax deduction.

"By starting early, saving a little at a time and making smart investment choices, you could make 2014 a year to never forget," Fitzgerald said. "Not only will you get a tax deduction, but this could be the year you take that first step towards helping a loved one start financing the path to the rest of their life."

. To stay up to date on current giveaways and events, connect with the Plan on Facebook and Twitter (@Iowa529Plan).

*If withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income. Amount adjusted annually for inflation.

**Earnings on non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax on the earnings, 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 the 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 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. Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor.

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.

Construction to Begin in Fall 2014

AURORA - Governor Pat Quinn today announced a $3.6 million investment from his Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program to upgrade laboratories at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) in Aurora. Today's announcement is part of Governor Quinn's commitment to improving Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in Illinois to keep the state's students competitive in the global marketplace.

"We have a responsibility to ensure Illinois students compete and succeed on the world stage," Governor Quinn said. "This improved laboratory will allow students to learn firsthand how the world around them functions, providing them with opportunities to explore and discover that will help them in college, career and beyond."

The $3.6 million will allow IMSA to reconfigure eight laboratories in the "A" wing of the Math and Science Academy building. The work will include replacing casework, countertops, cabinets, and fume hoods; upgrading the plumbing, electrical, data/telecommunication and climate control systems; and modifying gas, water, and waste piping. The Illinois Capital Development Board, which will manage the construction project, will award a contract for the work following a competitive bid process.

"The State's investment, coupled with private sector support for advanced scientific equipment and educational programs, will enable IMSA to strengthen our curriculum and pioneer new methods of teaching and learning for the future," IMSA President Catherine C. Veal said.

The internationally recognized Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® develops creative, ethical leaders in STEM. As a teaching and learning laboratory created by the State of Illinois, IMSA enrolls academically talented Illinois students (grades 10-12) in its advanced, residential college preparatory program, and it serves thousands of educators and students in Illinois and beyond through innovative instructional programs that foster imagination and inquiry. IMSA also advances education through research, groundbreaking ventures and strategic partnerships. Visit http://imsa.edu/ for more information.

The IMSA project is part of Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which will support more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest capital construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest capital construction programs in the nation.

Samantha Crane of Davenport, Iowa, has graduated from Pacific University (Ore.) with a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology.

Founded in 1849, Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore., is one of the West's first chartered institutions of higher education. Pacific annually ranks as one of America's Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report. With an enrollment of more than 3,400 students, Pacific University provides an excellent academic experience linking theory to practice in education.