DES MOINES, IA (05/03/2011)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald is asking Iowans to celebrate 529 College Savings Day on May 29 by exploring the benefits of using a 529 plan, such as College Savings Iowa, to save for their loved ones future higher education expenses. "We want parents to know it's never too early to start planning for their child's education," Fitzgerald said. "As a way to raise awareness about 529 plans, families are able to gain a jump start on saving for their child's future education by registering, during the month of May, for the chance to win a free $529 College Savings Iowa account." For more information and to enter the giveaway, please visit www.my529iowaplan.com.

May 29 was nationally declared 529 College Savings Day in order to help 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. Those who begin putting away money early and save little by little can, over time, make their college savings add up to a significant amount. Because saving for future educational expenses is so important, everyone is encouraged to open a College Savings Iowa account for a special child in their life.

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. Participants who are Iowa taxpayers can deduct contributions up to $2,865 per beneficiary from their 2011 adjusted gross income, and there are no income or residency restrictions.* 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.** To learn more about College Savings Iowa, please visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com or call 1-888-672-9116.

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

**Earnings on 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.

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.

Jordan Catholic School has been fund raising for several months to build a classroom addition to the elementary school building at 2901 24th Street, Rock Island, housing all Jordan students (PreK-8) on one campus. $1.8 million dollars of the $2.6 million goal has been raised to date.

This is an exciting time for the entire Jordan community, as well as the surrounding area, as the dream of an expanded, unified campus becomes a reality! The school addition plan includes:

Phase 1 - School Addition & Renovation - $2.6 million
• Four new Middle School Classrooms added, wired for technology teaching
• Computer Technology, Engineering, and Science Labs
• New Music and Art Rooms with Instrument/Supply Storage
• New Multi-Purpose Room for Early Childhood PE and sports practice
• Renovation of former Kindergarten for an expanded Library
• Courtyard with rain garden for enhanced outdoor education
• New building access security system and fire alarm system, throughout all school buildings

Construction will begin in May with an estimated completion date of January, 2012.

A Ground-breaking Ceremony will be held at 1:00pm on Friday May 6th in front of the school at 2901 24th St., RI, immediately preceding the school Walk-a-thon. Students & Staff will be dressed in brightly colored walk-a-thon t-shirts.

Groundbreaking program: 
Welcome:  Mike Daly, Principal
Opening Prayer:  Rev. Tony Ego, St. Ambrose, Milan
"I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever": Led by Julie Bushre, Music Teacher
Recognition of Naming Rights:  Rev. Michael Schaab, St. Pius X, RI
Remarks:  Bob & Marilyn Noe, General Chairs 
Blessing of the Site:  Rev. Greg Jozifiak, St. Mary/Sacred Heart, RI
Remarks:  Vern Wegerer, General Chair
Groundbreaking:  Mike Daly
Remarks:  Mike & Karen Mihm, Parent Committee
Closing Prayer:  Rev. Stephen Engelbrecht, St. Patrick, Andalusia
AMERICA (My Country Tis Of Thee):  All (one verse)

Farm Bureau awards $180,000 to current and future college students

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - April 29, 2011 - Agriculture is an important part of Iowa's overall economy and young people continue to see opportunity in ag-related studies as they plan for their future careers.   The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) has awarded $1,000 scholarships for tuition to 180 students who plan to study agriculture at their chosen colleges and universities.  The recipients are pursuing majors in a variety of ag-related disciplines, including agriculture business, engineering, education, technology and animal science.

In addition, Justin Menke of Donnellson in Lee County was named the recipient of the Daniel Johnson Memorial Scholarship, a one-time $500 award for a student from one of eleven counties in southeast Iowa: Keokuk, Washington, Louisa, Muscatine, Wapello, Jefferson, Henry, Des Moines, Davis, Van Buren and Lee.  The scholarship is awarded in honor of Daniel Johnson, a former Iowa Farm Bureau director, farmer, volunteer firefighter and school board president.

"Iowa's high school and college students truly represent the future of agriculture and Farm Bureau is proud to support them and contribute to their success," said IFBF Community Resources Director Barb Lykins.

First-time Farm Bureau scholarship recipients include 54 graduating high school seniors or students currently enrolled in their chosen college or university.  Students are eligible to renew the scholarships for up to four years by maintaining a minimum grade point average of 2.5 and by being a student in good standing with the college or university.

Six recipients were selected from each of the nine IFBF districts.  Scholarships were awarded to children of Farm Bureau members who plan to or currently attend an accredited college, university or community college to earn two- or four-year degrees.

First-time applicants were asked to write an essay indicating the contributions they expect to make to agriculture or agribusiness.  They also were selected based on their academic achievement, financial need, community and extracurricular involvement and letters of recommendation.

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Editor's Note:First-time scholarship winners (listed alphabetically by hometown), parent names and future or current college are listed below.

IOWAFARM BUREAU FEDERATION FIRST-TIME SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Ackley, Holly Richtsmeier, Marvin and Glenna Richtsmeier, University of Northern Iowa

Albia, Carolyn Clark, Larry and Patricia Clark, Iowa State University

Ames, Erich Hodges, Gregory and Margot Hodges-Tinner, Iowa State University

Aurelia, Audrey Winterhof, Dan and Lynn Winterhof, Simpson College

Boone, Lauren Haglund, Kriss and Crystal Haglund, University of Northern Iowa

Boone, Leah Haglund, Kriss and Crystal Haglund, Iowa State University

Charles City, Ethan Voelker, Brian and Ann Voelker, Iowa State University

Clarion, Samuel Moore, Jim and Barb Moore, Central College

Corning, Erin Beck, Brent and Janice Beck, South Dakota State University

Corwith, Hillary Hilbert, Dan and Karyn Hilbert, University of Northern Iowa

Diagonal, Brett England, Mitchell and Melinda England, Southwestern Community College

Donnellson, Shannon Krogmeier, Ralph and Colleen Krogmeier, Iowa State University

Dundee, Megan Kleve, Dennis and Dawn Kleve, Iowa State University

Durango, Elizabeth Brehm, Steve and Sharon Brehm, University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Essex, Tate Jensen, Blake and Connie Jensen, Wartburg College

Estherville, Holly Enerson, Arvin and Anna Enerson, Dordt College

Farmersburg, Margo Walz, Dean and Melissa Walz, Wartburg College

Fontanelle, Susan Herr, Paul and Virginia Herr, Iowa State University

Guthrie Center, Dustin Clark, Paul and Sheryl Clark, Iowa State University

Hancock, Courtney Harder, Paul and Dawn Harder, Iowa State University

Hornick, Michael Gallagher, Dennis and Lori Gallagher, Dordt College

Keota, Matt Romoser, Robert and Mary Beth Romoser, Iowa State University

Knoxville, Joshua Petersen, James and Julie Petersen, Iowa State University

Knoxville, Zeke Kauzlarich, Rick and Sue Kauzlarich, Iowa State University

LeMars, Brittany Jaminet, Michael and Karen Jaminet, Augustana College

LeMars, Kristen Ahlers, John and Debra Ahlers, Iowa State University

Long Grove, Travis Dierickx, Patrick and Lora Dierickx, Iowa State University

Marshalltown, Michael Burt, Allen and Dee Burt, Iowa State University

Mechanicsville, Sally Weets, Teresa and Steve Weets, Iowa State University

Modale, Blaire Shelton, Jeffrey and Julie Shelton, South Dakota State University

Moulton, Kassi Guinn, Eddie and Melanie Guinn, Iowa State University

New Hampton, Nicholas Winter, Michael and Denice Winter, Iowa State University

New Vienna, Nicholas Hoefler, Brian and Eileen Hoefler, Iowa State University

Newton, Michael Bell, Todd and Jayne Bell, Iowa State University

Ollie, Keaton Philips, Dennis and Sondra Philips, Indian Hills Community College

Osage, Tanner Lewis, Mike and Kim Lewis, Iowa State University

Osceola, Molly Curnes, Kelly and Jill Curnes, Southwestern Community College

Oskaloosa, Samuel Groenenboom, Joel and Laura Groenenboom, Iowa State University

Ottumwa, Ethan Conrad, Randy and Melanie Conrad, Iowa State University

Ottumwa, Jacob Swanson, Donald and Patricia Swanson, Iowa State University

Prescott, Haley Stalcup, Craig and Deena Stalcup, Iowa State University

Rockford, Jennifer Wicks, Terry and Tammy Wicks, Kirkwood Community College

Rockwell City, Bryce Dooley, Jana and Jay Maquire, Iowa State University

Sac City, William Riley, C. Gene and Jenny Riley, Iowa State University

Schleswig, Christina Riessen, Harry and Kay Riessen, Iowa State University

Sibley, Kevin Berkland, Daniel and Loretta Berkland, Iowa State University

Spragueville, Austin Lane, Kenneth and Karen Lane, Iowa State University

Storm Lake, Austin Ehlers, Brent and Carol Ehlers, Iowa State University

Strawberry Point, Ethan Knight, Bill and Lorri Knight, Iowa State University

Swea City, Genna Valvick, Arlyn and Annette Valvick, Northwestern College

Tama, Deanna Bidwell, Dale and Dianne Bidwell, Iowa State University

Van Horne, Evan Brehm, Joe and Sheryl Brehm, Iowa State University

Walcott, Austin Kessler, Jim and Ann Kessler, Iowa State University

Wheatland, Micah Klahn, Sandra Klahn and the late James Klahn, University of Wisconsin-Platteville

$67.8 Million Capital Project Will Create Around 400 Jobs; Leverage Private Investment

MACOMB - April 26, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today joined state and school officials for a ceremonial groundbreaking on the $67.8 million Performing Arts Center at Western Illinois University (WIU) in Macomb. This is one of the largest university construction projects in the Governor's Illinois Jobs Now! capital program, and construction work is expected to create approximately 400 jobs. The state's investment will help WIU leverage a significant private donation to support the center's operation.

"This project is an investment in the future of Western Illinois University, and in this region's economy," said Governor Quinn. "Not only will this project create jobs during construction, it will also enable WIU to increase its educational offerings and provide the people of Macomb with a state-of-the-art facility for music, dance and theater productions."

The Performing Arts Center will include a 1,400-seat auditorium, a 250-seat thrust stage and a 150-seat studio theatre; dance, jazz and theatre rehearsal studios; dressing rooms; a scenery/design workshop and costume shop; and a loading dock to accommodate large vehicles for touring companies and orchestras.

The design phase of the project is underway, with construction bids scheduled for later this year and completion in 2014. A Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, Silver certification will be sought for the project, a testament to its energy efficient and environmentally friendly design. The project is administered by the Capital Development Board (CDB), which manages all state-funded, non-road construction projects.

"The WIU Performing Arts Center has become a reality. I cannot thank enough our legislators, campus community and many friends, including Governor Pat Quinn, for their support of this cultural center, which will be an incredible asset to this region," said WIU President Al Goldfarb, who is retiring this month.

"The Performing Arts Center project will employ hundreds of construction workers and provide enhanced educational opportunities for Western students once it's complete," said CDB Executive Director Jim Underwood. "This will be CDB's largest ongoing construction project, and we are thrilled that Governor Quinn is moving it along."

Joining Governor Quinn, Goldfarb and Underwood at today's ceremonial groundbreaking were State Sen. John Sullivan (D-Rushville), State Rep. Norine Hammond (R-Macomb), and Macomb Mayor Mick Wisslead.

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