DECORAH, IA (05/07/2013)(readMedia)-- Forty-nine Luther students were inducted into the Luther chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa national academic honor society at a ceremony held Sunday, April 28 in the Noble Recital Hall on the Luther campus.

Nicole Woodson, a Luther senior of Davenport, Iowa, was one of the 49. Woodson is the daughter of Judy Woodson of Davenport. She is majoring in biology at Luther, and is a graduate of North High School.

Shari Huber, a Luther senior of Eldridge, Iowa, was one of the 49. Huber is the daughter of Barry and Lisa Huber of Eldridge. She is majoring in exercise science at Luther, and is a graduate of North Scott High School.

Greg Daniels, a Luther senior of Long Grove, Iowa, was one of the 49. Daniels is the son of Scott and Julie Daniels of Long Grove. He is majoring in biology at Luther, and is a graduate of North Scott High School.

Randa Duvick, department chair and professor of French at Valparaiso University, was introduced as an alumna member and delivered the Ruth A. Davis Memorial Lecture, titled "Truth, Metaphor and War Stories: Valuing the Liberal Arts and Sciences."

Duvick graduated from Luther in 1978 with majors in French and linguistics. She spent a year studying in Switzerland on a Fulbright Fellowship and then earned a master's and doctorate degree in French literature at the University of Chicago.

Duvick has been a faculty member at Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Ind., since 1986 and just completed 12 years as chair of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature.

Her research has focused on 19th century French authors Arthur Rimbaud and Guy de Maupassant. Most recently, Duvick has been working on a project involving the French language account books of a 19th century Quebec fur trader who settled in Porter County, Ind., and has presented and published on the French heritage of the Midwest. Following a trip to Senegal last June, Duvick was inspired to turn more teaching and research on Francophone African topics.

The Memorial Lecture was given in honor of Ruth A. Davis, a member of the mathematics and computer science faculty at Luther until her death in 1983. Elected to Phi Beta Kappa from Illinois College in Jacksonville, Ill., she was instrumental in founding the Luther chapter as a charter member.

Davis held a master's degree in mathematics from George Peabody College and a master's degree in computer science from the University of Southwestern Louisiana. She was particularly interested in the roles of women in scientific fields.

Luther College is one of a select group of private liberal arts colleges in the United States with a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. Each year, Luther honors outstanding seniors with selection to Phi Beta Kappa. Members are elected on the basis of broad cultural interests, scholarly achievement and good character.

Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest and most respected undergraduate honors organization in the United States. The society has fostered and recognized excellence in the liberal arts and sciences since 1776, and the society's distinctive emblem, a golden key, is widely recognized as a symbol of academic achievement.

LINCOLN, NE (05/06/2013)(readMedia)-- Hannah Marjorie Kurth of Bettendorf was among more than 2,750 students who received degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln at commencement exercises May 3rd and 4th.

Kurth received a bachelor of music degree with high distinction from the College of Fine and Performing Arts.

The graduates are from 44 states and 36 countries.

A full list of graduates can be found at http://newsroom.unl.edu/releases/downloadables/msword/20130503gradlist.txt. The list includes 27 students who received degrees from the University of Nebraska at Omaha College of Public Affairs and Community Service, but studied on the UNL campus.

Local Students Participate In Education Senior Showcase at Central College

PELLA, IA (05/03/2013)(readMedia)-- Local students participated in the Education Department Senior Showcase at Central College in Pella, Iowa, on April 29. Students presented their portfolios, student teaching experience and progress monitoring projects. The event was meant to honor and celebrate Central's student teachers.

The following senior majors participated:

Emily Huegel of Bettendorf, Iowa, elementary education major

Nancy Huddleston of Muscatine, Iowa, mathematics major

Stephanie Hasken of Davenport, Iowa, exercise science major

Kevin Templeton of Muscatine, Iowa, music education - vocal major

Allison Garman Presents Social Research at Central College

PELLA, (05/03/2013)(readMedia)-- Allison Garman, a native of Bettendorf, Iowa, presented a group semester-long research project at Central College on April 29. The research was done as part of the Methods of Social Research course. The presentation was titled: "Grief Among College Students."

Garman is a sophomore sociology and English major at Central College.

Patricia Braun Presented Senior Honors Thesis at Central College

PELLA, (05/03/2013)(readMedia)-- Patricia Braun of Davenport, Iowa presented a senior honors thesis at Central College in Pella, Iowa, on Thursday, April 25. The title of the thesis was: "Chlamydial RodZ Homolog CT009 Interacts with Actin-Like Protein MreB using Conserved Interaction Residues when Localized to the Inner Membrane Chlamydial RodZ Homolog CT009 Interacts with Actin-Like Protein MreB using Conserved Interaction Residues when Localized to the Inner Membrane."

A senior thesis is a yearlong, specialized, independent study course carried out within the student's major discipline. Braun, a biology, Spanish and international studies major, was awarded an honors designation on their final transcript.

Honors at Central College provides a distinct, but flexible plan encouraging student creativity, intellectual engagement and leadership. Beginning broadly the first year, Honors gradually focuses by helping students move towards greater independence, more advanced work in a discipline and increased leadership responsibilities.

Central College is a residential liberal arts college dedicated to the education of 1,500 undergraduate students. Guided by its ecumenical Christian tradition, the college community engages in vigorous, free, open inquiry in pursuit of academic excellence. Founded in 1853, the college is affiliated with the Reformed Church in America and NCAA Division III athletics.

 

 

ROCK ISLAND, IL (05/02/2013)(readMedia)-- Forty-three juniors were initiated into Augustana's Aglaia Chapter of the Mortar Board National Senior Honor Society on April 14.

Mortar Board members are selected annually by their peers in recognition of their devotion to scholarship, leadership and service. Students are eligible for membership in their junior year. Each member must have at least a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) GPA or be in the top 35 percent of his orher class, whichever is higher. Approximately 9% of the Class of 2014 was selected to join this prestigious society.

Selected to join this group include :

Breann Nelson, a junior from Moline, Ill., majoring in psychology and sociology.

Hiba Ansari, a junior from Clinton, Iowa, majoring in business administration-management.

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

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

Kelsey Winter, a junior from East Moline, Ill., majoring in biology.

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

The Aglaia chapter at Augustana was chartered in 1965. It succeeded an Augustana Honors Society founded in 1940 for senior women. The name comes from one of the three Greek Graces, along with Euphrosyne and Thalia. Aglaia signifies "brilliance." In 2009, the chapter received a Silver Torch award from the national organization.

Students will be recognized at the Senior Honors Convocation on Saturday, May 18th, at 12 noon at Centennial Hall (3703 7th Ave. Rock Island, Ill.).

About Augustana: Founded in 1860, Augustana College is a selective four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences. Augustana 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. Alumni include 140 Academic All-Americans, a Nobel laureate, 14 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.