LINCOLN, NE (12/31/2013)(readMedia)--Andrew Harris Hathaway of Bettendorf was among more than 1,500 students who received degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln at commencement exercises Dec. 20 and 21.

Hathaway received a master of science degree from the Graduate College.

UNL awarded postgraduate degrees on Dec. 20 and baccalaureate degrees on Dec. 21 in ceremonies at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The College of Law conducted a separate ceremony on Dec. 20 at Ross McCollum Hall.

The commencement speakers were Karen Kunc, Willa Cather Professor and professor of art at UNL (postgraduate ceremony); former Nebraska Gov. and U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson (baccalaureate); and Judge William B. Cassel of the Nebraska Supreme Court (law).

The graduates are from 39 states and 38 countries. A full list of graduates can be found at http://go.unl.edu/28j4. The list includes 26 students who received degrees from the University of Nebraska at Omaha College of Public Affairs and Community Service, but studied on the UNL campus.

FULTON, MO (12/23/2013)(readMedia)-- William Woods University has released the Dean's List for academic accomplishments during the 2013 fall term. Among those listed is Olivia Storjohann of Eldridge, Iowa

To be named to the Dean's List, a student must be full-time and have achieved a minimum 3.6 semester and cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

William Woods University is an independent, professions-oriented, liberal arts-based institution serving the educational needs of both men and women. William Woods has an enrollment of about 3,000 students, and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in a variety of disciplines in both campus and outreach settings,

The 200-acre main campus is located in the mid-Missouri community of Fulton. Since its founding in 1870, the mission of William Woods has been to provide a quality education while ensuring the development of the individual.

ROCK ISLAND, IL (12/19/2013)(readMedia)-- Augustana College announced 839 students were named to the Dean's List for the 2013 fall 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.

From your area, students who have earned this honor include :

Sheila Ahuja from Rock Island, a senior majoring in language arts and English education.

Sarah Althaus from Moline, a senior majoring in political science.

April Anderson from Davenport, a senior majoring in Asian studies.

Hiba Ansari from Clinton, a senior majoring in business administration-international business.

Jessica Bacon from Rock Island, a junior majoring in elementary education.

Adam Bengfort from Davenport, a junior majoring in engineering physics.

Amelia Beveroth from Sterling, a senior majoring in elementary education.

Andrew Beveroth from Sterling, a sophomore majoring in history and accounting.

Grace Brasel from East Moline, a sophomore majoring in biology.

Allison Brown from Milan, a senior majoring in language arts and English education.

Samantha Bull from Davenport, a senior majoring in communication sciences and disorders.

Brandee Cole from Bettendorf, a junior majoring in pre-medicine and biology.

David Cook from Silvis, a senior majoring in history.

Summer Cook from Rock Island, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Tyler Cowherd from Bettendorf, a senior majoring in business administration-finance, Spanish for professional use, and accounting.

Rowan Crow from Coal Valley, a sophomore majoring in pre-history education.

Sydney Crumbleholme from Moline, a sophomore majoring in art.

Jane Cummings from Rock Island, a sophomore majoring in undecided.

Rosa De La Torre from Rock Falls, a sophomore majoring in pre-medicine and biology.

Ashley DeVolder from Moline, a senior majoring in accounting.

Katelin Durham from Sterling, a junior majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Elizabeth Gehrmann from Bettendorf, a sophomore majoring in chemistry.

Lizandra Gomez-Ramirez from Rock Island, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Shai Gonzales from Davenport, a senior majoring in political science.

Emily Grooms from Coal Valley, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Andrea Grubaugh from Muscatine, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Christine Harb from Davenport, a junior majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Fenner Hengst from Bettendorf, a senior majoring in graphic design.

Taelar Hillyer from Bettendorf, a senior majoring in language arts and English education.

Darshan Hullon from Moline, a senior majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Andrea Hult from Moline, a junior majoring in accounting and business administration-advising.

Jens Hurty from Moline, a senior majoring in music education-vocal.

Tyler James from Davenport, a sophomore majoring in undecided.

Jillian Jespersen from Rock Island, a sophomore majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Zoee Johnson from Rock Falls, a sophomore majoring in classics and philosophy.

Jacob Johnston from Cordova, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Victoria Jones from Rock Falls, a junior majoring in language arts and English education.

Katherine Karstens from Moline, a senior majoring in business administration-finance and accounting.

Alyssa Kendell from Davenport, a sophomore majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Megan Kirik from Moline, a senior majoring in political science and communication studies.

Kimberly Klyman from East Moline, a sophomore majoring in undecided.

Benjamin Knapper from Davenport, a junior majoring in applied mathematics and computer science.

Rebecca Knapper from Davenport, a freshman majoring in creative writing and English.

Kylie Koger from Davenport, a senior majoring in classics and philosophy.

Nicholas Krantz from Moline, a senior majoring in graphic design.

Jamie Lawrence from Moline, a senior majoring in language arts and English education.

Kera Linn from Bettendorf, a junior majoring in biology.

Madison Logan from Moline, a senior majoring in communication sciences and disorders and psychology.

Makenzie Logan from Moline, a sophomore majoring in psychology and communication sciences and disorders.

Eryn Maccabee from East Moline, a senior majoring in English and Scandinavian.

Chad Martens from Erie, a junior majoring in pre-medicine.

Carolyn Maynard from Moline, a junior majoring in communication sciences and disorders.

Eli McDonald from Bettendorf, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Samantha McGreer from Illinois City, a junior majoring in pre-medicine and biochemistry.

Benjamin McKay from Rock Island, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Elise McPherson from Sterling, a senior majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Irene Mekus from East Moline, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Chelsea Mentado from Moline, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Sara Naftzger from Albany, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Landon Neese from Davenport, a junior majoring in pre-medicine.

Breann Nelson from Moline, a senior majoring in psychology and sociology-social welfare.

Lindsey Nicolaysen from Fulton, a junior majoring in computer science.

Muna Omar from Bettendorf, a senior majoring in biology.

Jenna Orabutt from Rock Island, a senior majoring in business administration-management.

Owen Pomije from Rock Island, a senior majoring in computer science.

Layne Porembski from Moline, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Phillip Powell from Bettendorf, a sophomore majoring in English.

Elyzia Powers from Silvis, a junior majoring in psychology.

Katherine Rea from Rock Island, a senior majoring in classics.

Anish Reddy from Rock Island, a sophomore majoring in pre-medicine.

Alexandria Riordan from Davenport, a senior majoring in business administration-management.

Anna Rusch from Davenport, a senior majoring in business administration-marketing.

Abigail Ryser from Moline, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Alan Sabat from Moline, a senior majoring in geography.

Keith Sands from Silvis, a sophomore majoring in mathematics and math education.

Ingrid Schneider from Davenport, a senior majoring in music general and psychology.

Austin Schoeck from Rock Island, a sophomore majoring in political science.

Markaye Semmens from Moline, a senior majoring in elementary education.

Andrew Shearouse from Coal Valley, a senior majoring in business administration - management information system and computer science.

Emma Shie from Davenport, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Andrew Showers from Moline, a senior majoring in computer science, philosophy, and business administration-management information system.

Alexandra Skinner from Bettendorf, a senior majoring in theatre arts and psychology.

Tyler Spellious from Moline, a senior majoring in English and creative writing.

Cristina Stan from Davenport, a senior majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Rosalie Starenko from Rock Island, a junior majoring in geography and Spanish.

Andrew Statz from Davenport, a sophomore majoring in pre-medicine and biology.

Grant Stewart from Sterling, a senior majoring in elementary education.

Sergio Tekeli from Bettendorf, a freshman majoring in pre-medicine.

Emma Thompson from Port Byron, a senior majoring in psychology and Spanish for professional use.

Jaykob Tisdale from Moline, a senior majoring in Spanish.

Philip Tunnicliff from Bettendorf, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Jonathon Waite from Sterling, a senior majoring in mathematics and computer science.

Michael Warhank from Davenport, a freshman majoring in undecided.

Michelle Wells from Davenport, a senior majoring in biology.

Haley West from Rapids City, a sophomore majoring in undecided.

Dalinda Widdop from Milan, a senior majoring in biology.

James Wiebler from Davenport, a senior majoring in biology.

Shelby Womack from Davenport, a senior majoring in biology.

Joseph Zahn from Moline, a senior majoring in neuroscience.

Michael Zeitler from East Moline, a senior majoring in math education and mathematics.

Rong Zheng from Silvis, a sophomore majoring in biochemistry.

Founded in 1860, Augustana College is a selective four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences. Augustana 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 147 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.

DES MOINES, IA (12/19/2013)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald presented a $5,290 College Savings Iowa account today to one year old Peyton Becker. Peyton was chosen to receive the award after her mother, Krista, entered her for the giveaway as part of the College Savings Iowa Fall Giveaway.

"With college tuition rising faster than inflation, saving for college is not an easy task these days," stated Fitzgerald. "Our goal for College Savings Iowa is to encourage families to start saving early for their loved one's higher educational expenses. Saving ahead of time can reduce a parent's need to borrow to cover educational expenses, which can help them and their child get through college with less debt."

College Savings Iowa attended various events across the state this past fall to help spread the message about saving early. While learning about the Plan, families were able to register for the 2013 College Savings Iowa Giveaway. Peyton, who was randomly selected from over 9,000 entrants, will be able to use the $5,290 to help pay for tuition, books, room and board at any qualifying institution.

While investors do not need to be a state resident to participate in College Savings Iowa, there are some additional benefits if they are an Iowa taxpayer. Iowans can deduct contributions up to $3,045 per beneficiary account from their adjusted gross income in 2013.* In order to qualify for the 2013 tax deduction, contributions must be made by the end of the year. Participants can contribute online at collegesavingsiowa.com. If sent by mail, they must postmark checks by December 31, 2013.

Opening a College Savings Iowa account is simple. With as little as $25 and ten minutes anyone can start investing on behalf of a child. To learn more about College Savings Iowa, please visit collegesavingsiowa.com or call 1-888-672-9116. You can also connect with College Savings Iowa on Facebook and Twitter (Iowa529Plan) to learn about upcoming events and giveaways.

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

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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 1-888-672-9116, 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.