CANTON, MO (08/27/2013)(readMedia)-- Ian Sodawasser of Davenport, Iowa, was among Culver-Stockton College's students, alumni, faculty, staff and community members who spent Saturday, Aug. 24 volunteering for the fifth annual Extreme Dome Makeover. Over 400 volunteers participated in the event, sprucing up 13 work sites in the town of Canton, Mo.

Volunteers spent the day doing various activities like painting, landscaping and cleaning. Project sites included both public areas and private residences. Public sites included Canton Senior Housing, City Hall, Martin Park, the Mississippi River Park, the Canton Community Garden and more.

Extreme Dome Makeover provides the opportunity to introduce incoming students to the community of Canton, as well as to their classmates, advisors and neighbors. "We want our students to know that being a servant leader is important. Hopefully by the time they graduate they will know that importance and they'll be able to lead service projects in their own community after they graduate," said Dean of Students Chris Gill.

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.

The C-SC Wildcats are members of the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Chuck Grassley today encouraged Iowa students to consider competing for one of two spots in the U.S. Senate Youth Program.  All together, 102 student delegates from the 50 states and the District of Columbia will participate in this program's 52nd annual Washington Week next March 8-15.

Student delegates selected for the program will learn about the relationship between the three branches of the federal government and will meet with Senators, cabinet officials, and other government leaders and policy-makers.  The students will visit Capitol Hill, the White House, the Pentagon, the State Department, the Supreme Court, and other sites in Washington.

The program pays for participants' trip to the nation's capital, and each student receives a $5,000 undergraduate scholarship.

"It's important for students to learn about government and understand the democratic process," Grassley said. "This is an opportunity for students to gain firsthand knowledge and witness government in action.  I encourage young leaders in Iowa to apply."

Delegate selection is administered by individual states' chief school officer in cooperation with high school principals.  Applications are due October 4, 2013, and the names of students selected will be formally announced by the U.S. Senate Youth Program in December.  Interested applicants should contact their high school principal or the state-level selection administrator to apply.  In Iowa, the administrator is:

Stefanie Rosenberg-Wager

Social Studies Consultant

Grimes State Office Building

400 SE 14th Street

Des Moines, Iowa  50319

(515) 275-7842

stefanie.rosenbergwager@iowa.gov

According to the program, selected students generally rank academically in the top one percent of students in their states, in addition to possessing outstanding leadership abilities and a strong commitment to public service.  Delegates must be juniors or seniors and elected student officers for the 2013-2014 academic year, and they must reside in the state where they attend school.  Eligibility considerations may also be made for student representatives elected or selected (by a panel, commission or board) to district, regional or state-level civic or educational organizations.

This program was created by a Senate Resolution in 1962.  Since then, more than 5,000 students have participated.  The educational program continues to be sponsored by the U.S. Senate and fully funded by The Hearst Foundation.

The 2014 program brochure with detailed rules and information about the selection process and the program's annual yearbook are at www.ussenateyouth.org.

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New Law Lowers Compulsory School Age from Seven to Six Years Old

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today signed a new law that lowers the compulsory school age for students in Illinois in order to ensure all children have the opportunity to build a solid foundation for academic achievement. The law will also help to combat truancy. Research shows that children who start school at an earlier age are less likely to drop out of school, be placed in special education or commit crimes, and more likely to attend college. Today's action is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to prepare every child for success in college, career and beyond.

"Today is a good day for our students and for the future of Illinois," Governor Quinn said. "The key to so many things in life is a quality education and this new law will ensure our students get an early start on their academic success."

Sponsored by State Senator Kimberly Lightford (D-Westchester) and State Representative LaShawn Ford (D-Chicago), Senate Bill 1307 lowers the compulsory school attendance age from seven to six years of age beginning with the 2014-2015 school year. Illinois joins 26 states that have set the compulsory attendance age at six years old. Eight states and the District of Columbia require students to begin school at age five. The law will also help to combat truancy.

Under the new law, any student turning six years old on or before Sept. 1 must be enrolled to attend school for that school year, starting in 2014. This legislation was introduced in part due to investigative reporting by the Chicago Tribune.

"Study after study has demonstrated that the earlier kids start school, the more likely they are to succeed," Senator Lightford said. "This law will help make sure all of our children are on the right path."

"This law will help children to develop the social and academic skills that will give them a better chance at success in the future," Representative Ford said. "It will also help to give children from disadvantaged backgrounds an equal opportunity to excel in the classroom. The early developmental stages are critical in a person's life, and Illinois cannot afford to put early education on the back burner."

The law will go into effect on July 1, 2014.

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BOWLING GREEN, O.-Bowling Green State University celebrated its 277th graduation on Saturday, August 10. The total number of diplomas awarded was 917, including 343 degrees granted through the Graduate College. Among the graduates is Kathryn Robinson of Bettendorf with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

FLAGSTAFF, AZ (08/23/2013)(readMedia)-- Elizabeth McCorkle, a Northern Arizona University SecEd-Earth Sci (BSED) major and resident of Hillsdale, IL, was among more than 4,500 students who made the Dean's List for the spring 2013 semester.

Founded in 1899, Northern Arizona University has established a lasting legacy of educating students to help them make a difference in the world. With an expansive Extended Campuses program, the university has an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 20,000 students located at more than 30 sites across Arizona or online. The university is a leader in integrating sustainability into university policies and educational curriculum highlighted by the Platinum LEED-certified Applied Research and Development building, the third-greenest building in the world. More information is online at nau.edu

SIOUX CITY, IA (08/23/2013)(readMedia)-- Several area residents were summer graduates of Morningside College.

The students are:

Jared Masterson, son of Dave and Maria Masterson of Bettendorf, Iowa, received a Bachelor of Arts degree and majored in business administration.

Carter Ridenour, son of Todd and Laurie Ridenour of Bettendorf, Iowa, received a Bachelor of Science degree and majored in business administration.

Morningside College is a small, private college in Sioux City, Iowa, that offers students the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree in a variety of disciplines, or a master's degree in education. For more information about Morningside College, visit the college's website at www.morningside.edu.

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UNIVERSITY CENTER, MI (08/23/2013)(readMedia)-- Anthony Lucio, from Muscatine, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in May 2013 from Saginaw Valley State University.

Saginaw Valley State University is a comprehensive university with more than 90 programs of study for its more than 10,000 students. Located on a suburban campus in Michigan's Great Lakes Bay Region, SVSU is committed to quality teaching in the classroom, field-based learning outside, NCAA Division II athletics and a broad range of academic and extracurricular opportunities for students to excel.

WASHINGTON -- Kayla Hamilton, daughter of Richard Hamilton of Eldridge in Scott County and Duane and Denise Levien of Calamus in Clinton County, has just completed a seven-week internship in Washington, D.C., with Sen. Chuck Grassley.  Hamilton is a senior at the University of Dubuque, majoring in sociology and business.

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"Interning in Washington, D.C., is a good way to get a grasp on the inner workings of Capitol Hill and government itself," Grassley said.  "Interns play an important role in my office and learn through their exposure to all aspects of the operation.  An internship is a unique opportunity for college-age students to be right in the middle of the legislative world and gather essential office experience."

Hamilton served as a legislative intern aiding Grassley's legislative staff.  Her duties included performing research to aid in answering constituent questions, working on special projects for legislative assistants, such as keeping track of legislation as it moves through the House and Senate, preparing binders for bills, and filing and organizing paperwork.

"My internship in Senator Grassley's office was invaluable," Hamilton said.  "Before I came here, I only had a general sense of how the three branches of government worked and I quickly learned how integral the legislative branch is. Senators and congressmen provide a very important service to our country, and I am glad that I was able to support their efforts this summer as well as work in the office of such a respected senator."

College students interested in becoming interns for Grassley in Washington, D.C., or any of his state offices should visit Grassley's Web page at http://grassley.senate.gov.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa has conducted oversight of tax-exempt organizations including universities for years.  Most recently, he has focused on New York University (NYU), which gave perks to then-administrator Jack Lew including a home loan and a $685,000 severance payment.  NYU also has generated controversy by giving loans for second homes to select administrators and faculty, a practice it announced it would end amid public scrutiny.  Grassley made the following comment today on President Obama's outline of ideas to reduce college costs and student debt.

"I agree with President Obama on reducing college costs and student debt.  One area for consideration is college spending on high executive salaries and perks that drive up tuition without providing additional value for students.  For example, just before his promised resignation in 2016, New York University's president will receive a gold-plated severance package including a $2.5 million parting bonus and $800,000 a year.   This is on top of the beach house he bought with university help.  President Obama should use his bully pulpit to encourage more independent leadership from the boards that oversee tax-exempt universities.   NYU's president wouldn't have had help with his beach house if the board refused.  And I encourage President Obama to look at a bipartisan Senate bill that would help students and families understand the true cost of college and the different types of student aid.   The more students and parents become savvy shoppers, the more colleges would be forced to rein in rising costs to compete for students."

More information on the Understanding the True Cost of College Act, of which Grassley is the lead Republican sponsor, is available here.

LINCOLN, NE (08/19/2013)(readMedia)-- The University of Nebraska-Lincoln granted degrees to approximately 775 students at commencement exercises Aug. 16 and 17. The graduates included:

Rock Island: Tyler Michael Reyes , College of Arts and Sciences, bachelor of arts .

Eldridge: Shane E. Gehring , Graduate College, master of business administration .

The graduates are from 34 states and 24 countries.

The ceremonies were the first events conducted in Lincoln's new 15,000-seat Pinnacle Bank Arena. The graduates are from 34 states and 24 countries.

Jay Storz, associate professor of biological sciences at UNL, delivered the address at the Aug. 16 ceremony for graduate and professional degrees. Lance Morgan, co-founder, president and chief executive officer of Ho-Chunk Inc., delivered the address at the Aug. 17 ceremony for bachelor's degrees and received the Builder Award, recognizing his service to the state and university. Ho-Chunk Inc. is the award-winning economic development corporation owned by the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.

A full list of graduates can be found at http://newsroom.unl.edu/releases/downloadables/msword/20130816gradlist.txt. The list includes 11 students who received degrees from the University of Nebraska at Omaha College of Public Affairs and Community Service, but studied on the UNL campus.

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