GREENVILLE, IL- ??Ansley DeVrieze of Moline graduated from Greenville College on May 31, 2013. Ansley graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology.

Greenville College is a four-year accredited Christian liberal arts school with more than 1,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Founded in 1892 and affiliated with the Free Methodist Church, the college is located in Greenville, Illinois, 45 miles east of St. Louis.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (July 11, 2013) - Teri Anson of Davenport graduated Magna Cum Laude from Mount Mercy University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Commencement exercises were held at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena Sunday, May 19.

The following have been named to the spring 2013 Dean's List at Mount Mercy University. Students with a semester grade point average of 3.60 or better, and who are graded (letter grade, not pass/fail) for six or more semester hours, are eligible for inclusion on the Dean's List.

Dana Ewan of Bettendorf, Katelyn Bishop of Davenport, and Taylor Eaker of Moline.

About Mount Mercy University

Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mount Mercy enrolls over 1,800 students and offers 35 majors and as many minors in eight academic departments. The university also has four graduate programs. For more information on Mount Mercy University, visit www.mtmercy.edu.

Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mount Mercy University is the regional Catholic, Mercy University that promises students of diverse backgrounds, ages and faiths a challenging, practical education that inspires them to discover knowledge, build community and lead courageous lives. Mount Mercy offers baccalaureate and graduate education to more than 1,800 enrolled students and uniquely blends liberal arts education with professional preparation.

OXFORD, OH (07/11/2013)(readMedia)-- Margaret Ellen Benson, of Sterling, IL (61081) was among 3,678 students from Miami University who received degrees during spring commencement exercises Saturday, May 11

at Yager Stadium. Benson received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree .

Miami University is a public university located in southwestern Ohio, offering more than 100 degree programs in humanities, science, engineering, business, education and fine arts.

Students with more than one listing have earned additional degrees or honors.

Additionally, Benson was named to the Miami University president's list.

Miami University students who are ranked in the top three percent of undergraduate students within each division for second semester 2012-13 have been named to the president's list recognizing academic excellence.

Receives "Champion" Award from College Changes Everything conference

CHICAGO - July 11, 2013. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon, the state's point person on education reform, urged educators to continue working to remove academic and non-academic barriers for college completion as she accepted the 2013 College Changes Everything Champion Award today from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).

The award, presented annually at the College Changes Everything conference, recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to help the state improve college access and completion efforts for Illinois students. Simon said undergraduates attending four-year schools, full-time and right out of high school make up less than 30 percent college students nationwide, and more students are attending for-profit schools than ever before. She said more transparency and low student loan rates will help older, part-time students succeed.

"I will continue to advocate for higher education that is affordable and accessible for all Illinois students, and to focus on reforms that help students from all backgrounds earn credentials that translate to good-paying jobs," said Simon, who visited the state's 12 public universities and 48 community colleges in her first two years in office. "I count higher education institutions and education advocates across the state as great partners as we focus on increasing the college completion rate in Illinois."

This month, Simon will convene education leaders to develop a statewide College Scorecard with data on completion rates and costs that will help students make the most of their tuition dollars. The effort follows a resolution drafted by Simon and approved by the General Assembly urging all Illinois colleges and universities to prominently display a link to a federal College Scorecard on their websites to help students assess college costs.

Simon has also worked with students and advocates to urge Congressional action on student loan rates. On July 1, interest rates on some federal student loans doubled. Simon has encouraged students to contact their federal representatives to explain what $2,600 annually - the average increase with doubled rates - means to them.

Simon and the state Board of Education are also rolling out the state's first middle school and high school math curriculum models this fall. Prompted by Simon's work on Senate Bill 3244, the units outline teach techniques aligned with Common Core standards and are designed to reduce remedial needs at college. Math is the biggest academic barrier to college completion, Simon said.

"Sheila Simon is one of the true champions of education in Illinois, and it's my honor to present her with this recognition," said Eric Zarnikow, executive director of ISAC.

The conference, coordinated by ISAC, brings together educators, students, legislators and other advocates to work towards the state's college completion goal. To keep pace with employer needs, the state wants 60 percent of working-age adults to hold a college degree or credential by 2025.

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