RIPON, WI (05/22/2013)(readMedia)-- Murray Stoffa of River Falls, WI graduated Magna Cum Laude from Ripon College on May 12, 2013 with a English major.

Author, blogger and statistician Nate Silver of The New York Times served as the commencement speaker for the graduation exercises, Ripon College's one hundred forty-seventh, helping the College make The Washington Post's list of Biggest Commencement Speakers of 2013 at number 8. Silver, along with Dr. Steven Brams, renowned game theorist and professor of political science at New York University (NYU), were bestowed honorary degrees for achievements in their fields. This year's Distinguished Educator Award was presented to Andrew Britton of Oshkosh West High School.

Stoffa is the child of COL Donald A. Stoffa of Davenport, IA .

Rivermont Collegiate announces the retirement of 3 respected and beloved faculty/administrators at the end of this school year: Suzanne Johnson, Assistant Headmaster and Early and Lower School Head (40 years at Rivermont), Katherine Topalian, First Grade Teacher (32 years at Rivermont), and Linda Hampton, Middle & Upper School Science Faculty (29 years at Rivermont).

Suzanne Johnson began her career at Rivermont (then known as St. Katharine's-St. Mark's) in 1973, the same year the School moved from its original location in Davenport to the historic Bettendorf Mansion.  Sue began teaching Middle School Science, Math, and Physical Education.  She also taught 5th Grade for 19 years before moving into her current position as Assistant Headmaster and Early and Lower School Head.  She has been recognized as a recipient of Rivermont's Waterman Chair of Distinguished Teaching.

Katherine Topalian has taught over 500 Rivermont first graders to read, having held the position of First Grade Teacher for 32 years!  The beloved "Mrs. T" has been recognized as a recipient of Rivermont's Golden Apple Award for Exceptional Teaching and Waterman Chair of Distinguished Teaching.  Always involved in the life of the School, Kathy served as Chair of Grandparents' & Special Friends' Day for over 12 years and Chair of ISACS (Independent Schools Association of the Central States) Evaluation Committees 4 separate times.

For 29 years, Linda Hampton's passion rubbed off on everyone around her as she inspired Rivermont students to take an interest in science.  Though students have consistently taken top science fair honors under her guidance, Linda made a habit of treating every student as an award winner and valuing each project.  She has been the recipient of Rivermont's Golden Apple Award for Exceptional Teaching and Waterman Chair of Distinguished Teaching, as well as numerous outside awards, including Outstanding Mentor at both the Hawkeye Science and Engineering Fair and the State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa.

The dedication of these retirees is a direct reflection of their belief in Rivermont and our mission.  Rivermont is the Quad Cities' only private college prep school, dedicated to academic excellence and maximizing the potential of each student.  We congratulate Sue, Kathy, and Linda on all they have accomplished and thank them for the difference they've made in the lives of students they taught and faculty who were privileged to work with them.

FORT WORTH, TX (05/22/2013)(readMedia)-- The UNT Health Science Center graduated its first class of Doctors of Physical Therapy (DPT) on May 18.

Jeffrey Guild from Bettendorf IA is among the first graduating class of UNTHSC physical therapists.

UNT Health Science Center

The UNT Health Science Center comprises the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, the School of Public Health, the School of Health Professions and UNT Health, its multi-specialty group practice. Key areas of strength include aging and Alzheimer's disease, applied genetics and primary care and prevention. This year, the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine was named a top-50 medical school in primary care by U.S. News & World Report for the tenth consecutive year. The Health Science Center contributes more than $500 million to the Tarrant County and Texas economies annually.

(Peru, Neb.) Peru State recently awarded 459 students their degrees at the college's 2013 Commencement ceremony, which included Stephanie Schulte of Rock Island who received her Master Of Science In Education, Curriculum and Instruction

President Dan Hanson said, "As they embark on new careers, advance in current jobs or pursue advanced degrees, we hope our graduates remember fondly the role Peru State faculty, staff and administrators played in their success. We congratulate them on being part of the legion of Bobcat alumni who have made this institution great for 146 years and wish them all the best for a bright and successful future. It's been great to have each one as a student at Peru State."

In order to graduate summa cum laude (with highest distinction), a student must have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.90 to 4.0; for magna cum laude (with high distinction), 3.75 to 3.89; and for cum laude (with distinction), 3.50 to 3.74.

Scott County teachers successfully completing course will have tuition reimbursed

CEDAR FALLS, IA–Attention teachers! Monday, May 27 is the deadline to enroll in a one-hour, graduate-level, professional development course offered by University of Northern Iowa.

Teachers are encouraged to sign up for The Environment and The Way We Live: Our Choices Impact Everyone's Future, to be held June 17 and 18 at EB Lyons Nature Center in Dubuque, with a follow-up Nov. 9 at the Swiss Valley Nature Center, about five miles west of Dubuque.

Tuition is $50. In addition to one hour of graduate credit, teachers will receive $65 in resources to use in their classrooms.  Signup and other details are online at http://www.ceee.uni.edu/wastereduction/workshops.aspx.

Teachers in Scott County who successfully complete the course will have tuition reimbursed by Waste Commission of Scott County. Other Iowa solid waste agencies will reimburse tuition for teachers in the counties of Clayton, Dubuque, Delaware, Howard, Linn and Winneshiek, as well as the Postville School District.

The workshop will be held 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. June 17 and 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. June 18. The follow-up workshop will be held 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Nov. 9.

The courses are offered through Curriculum and Instruction and the Center for Energy and Environmental Education at UNI.

For more information, contact Susan Salterberg, instructor, at (319) 337-4816 or salterberg@uni.edu.

UNI is able to offer the graduate credit, free books and lesson plans with funding support from the Resource Enhancement and Protection Conservation Education Program and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Solid Waste Alternatives Program.  Other supporters include solid waste agencies, landfills, and the East Central Iowa Council of Governments.

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RIPON, WIS. (05/21/2013)(readMedia)-- Murray Stoffa, a Senior English major, has been named to the Dean's List at Ripon College for the spring 2013 semester, which recognizes academic excellence.

Stoffa is the child of COL Donald A. Stoffa of Davenport, IA .

To qualify for the Dean's List at Ripon College, students must achieve a 3.40 grade point average or higher on a 4.00 scale and complete at least 12 credits of regular letter-graded work.

About Ripon College

Ripon College, founded in 1851, prepares students of diverse interests for lives of productive, socially responsible citizenship. Ripon's liberal arts curriculum and residential campus create an intimate learning community in which students experience a richly personalized education. Ripon has consistently been recognized as a "best value" and "Best 376 College" by The Princeton Review, a "Best Buy in College Education" by Barron's, a "Best Liberal-Arts College" by Washington Monthly, a "Top 25 Schools for Do-Gooders" by Newsweek, among the top-tier and best-value colleges by U.S. News and World Report, and among the top 200 private colleges in the nation overall and for value by Forbes Magazine. For more information about Ripon College, visit www.ripon.edu.

DECORAH, Iowa - The Luther College Board of Regents announced the appointment of David L. Tiede, Ph.D., as interim president of the college effective July 1. Luther President Richard L. Torgerson will end his term of service with the college on June 30.

Tiede David 2013.jpg

Tiede is emeritus president and emeritus professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. He served as the Bernhard M. Christensen Professor of Religion and Vocation at Augsburg College in Minneapolis from 2005 to 2010, and as interim president of Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, in 2010. He currently consults with a variety of higher education institutions as they deal with leadership transitions.

Tiede's appointment at Luther is for a period of 12 months, or until the permanent position is filled.

"The Board of Regents is delighted and honored that Dr. Tiede has agreed to lead Luther during this important time of transition," said Paul Torgerson, chairperson of the Board of Regents. "He is greatly admired as an administrator, teacher and scholar, and he is in high demand as a consultant in the area of educational leadership and governance. With Dr. Tiede serving as interim president, the board can complete the search for a permanent president with every confidence that the college is in very capable hands."

In accepting the post, Tiede said: "Luther College is educationally excellent, grounded in faith, and centered in student lives. President Torgerson's remarkable years have set the stage. This interim gives the whole college the opportunity to call the next president to lead from its strengths into the changing landscape of higher  education. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to serve an institution I have long admired."

Tiede, of White Bear Lake, Minn., served as Luther Seminary president from 1987 to 2005. He was professor of New Testament at the seminary from 1971 to 2006. His academic publications and leadership in scholarly guilds, including the Society of Biblical Literature, Catholic Biblical Association, and the International Society of New Testament Studies, have earned him great respect as a teacher and scholar.

An ordained pastor and past president of the Association of Theological Schools, Tiede is a consultant for Auburn Seminary's "Leadership That Works" research project. He is also a governance mentor for the nonprofit In Trust organization, whose mission is to help strengthen boards and governance in North American theological schools.

Tiede has served on numerous boards and commissions throughout his career and currently is on the regent boards of California Lutheran University and Augsburg College and has served as theologian-in-residence to the board of directors of Baltimore-based Lutheran Services in America.

A 1962 graduate of St. Olaf College, Tiede earned a theological degree in 1966 from Luther Seminary and a Ph.D. in 1971 from Harvard University. He is married to Martha (Muffy), and they are the parents of two grown children, Peter and Kathryn.

A national liberal arts college with an enrollment of 2,500, Luther offers an academic curriculum that leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree in 60 majors and preprofessional programs. For more information about Luther, visit the college's website: www.luther.edu.

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Register for a chance to win a $5,290 College Savings Iowa Account

DES MOINES, IA (05/21/2013)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald wants to remind Iowans it is their last chance to celebrate 529 Day by registering to win a $5,290 College Savings Iowa account for a child in their life. "I encourage everyone to register for the giveaway and explore the benefits of using a 529 plan, such as College Savings Iowa, to save for their loved ones' future higher education expenses," Fitzgerald said. "By starting early, saving a little at a time and making smart investment choices, families can make their savings work for them." For more information and to register for the giveaway, please visit www.my529iowaplan.com before May 29.

May 29, 529 Day, helps 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, Iowa families are 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 $3,045 per beneficiary from their 2013 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.myiowa529plan.com or call1-888-672-9116.

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

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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 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 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.

CHARLESTON, SC (05/20/2013)(readMedia)-- Michael Joseph Millea of Davenport, IA, graduated May 4, 2013, from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina.

Millea, a member of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets, earned a BA in History .

Gen. Robert Cone, commander of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command at Fort Eustis, Va., delivered the commencement address. Cone congratulated the cadets for choosing to take the road less traveled when enrolling at The Citadel four years ago.

"The world is as exciting and as unpredictable as it's ever been and as you go forth realize that there is a fine line between success and failure," he said. "In that spirit, while you will succeed, you will also fail. A true test of character is how well you handle adversity."

Cone encouraged the 468 cadets, veteran students and active duty military personnel that graduated to remember "you start building your professional reputation on the first day of your job, and you build the right character with consistency. A strong record of character is like a suit of armor - a false accusation will not hurt you."

The Citadel, founded in 1842, is a public, coeducational military college in Charleston, S.C., that offers a classic military education for men and women seeking a college experience that is meaningful, academically strong and is focused on educating and developing principled leaders for a strong military and a global workforce.

HUNTINGTON, IN (05/20/2013)(readMedia)-- Valerie Van Ee participated in the 115th Commencement exercises at Huntington University.

Van Ee is a 2013 May graduate, from Park View, IA. Van Ee earned a Bachelor of Science in Animation and Computer Science. Commencement was held on May 18.

Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 70 academic concentrations. U.S. News & World Report ranks Huntington among the best colleges in the Midwest, and Forbes.com has listed the university as one of America's Best Colleges. Additionally, Princeton Review has named the institution to its "Best in the Midwest" list. Founded in 1897 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Huntington University is located on a contemporary, lakeside campus in northeast Indiana. The university is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).

For all Huntington University news releases, visit www.huntington.edu/news.

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