Aurora students focus on affordability, job prospects

AURORA - June 22, 2012. Lt. Governor Sheila Simon said she supported keeping student loan rates affordable during a round table Friday with adult education and ESL students at Waubonsee Community College's new downtown Aurora campus.

Simon urged Congress to vote soon on a plan to keep interest rates from doubling July 1. The hike on federal subsidized loans to undergraduates would cost the average Illinois student more than $1,000.

"College isn't a luxury, it is a necessity that all of us should be able to afford," Simon said.  "Congress needs to take steps to keep rates down. The General Assembly needs to fund state education grants. And students need to do the hard work it takes to complete college and enter the workforce here in Illinois."

Simon serves as the Governor's point person on education reform. In her first year in office, she conducted a Complete College Tour of the state's 48 community colleges to promote college completion. She has advocated for strengthening the state's Monetary Award Program (MAP) grants so more low-income students can access higher education. And a bill she crafted to reduce remedial math needs at colleges and universities awaits the Governor's signature.

Simon visited Waubonsee's downtown Aurora campus in recognition of its first anniversary. Unlike the former campus on Stolp Island, the River Street campus enables students to complete certificates and degrees at the single downtown location.

As part of her tour Friday, Simon learned about a "bridge" program that allows students to earn a GED while also taking a health information technology prep course.  This course improves writing proficiency and introduces students to health terminology and the health information technology career. She also learned about Waubonsee's unique Health Care Interpreting and Legal Interpreting programs that prepare bilingual students for interpreting careers.

"Health care jobs are in-demand in our state, and we need to make every effort to help students graduate on time, in less debt and with a credential that connects to these good-paying jobs," Simon said.

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ROCK ISLAND, IL (06/22/2012)(readMedia)-- 831 students have been named to the Dean's List at Augustana College for the 2012 spring 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, Ill., a junior majoring in English and language arts education.

Anthony Ash from Davenport, Iowa, a senior majoring in accounting and business administration-finance.

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

Angela Bahls from Rock Island, Ill., a senior majoring in communication sciences and disorders and psychology.

Samantha Bazely from Coal Valley, Ill., a junior majoring in communication studies.

Adam Bengfort from Davenport, Iowa, a sophomore majoring in liberal studies.

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

Courtney Brown from Port Byron, Ill., a senior majoring in biology.

Ryan Brummet from Port Byron, Ill., a senior majoring in mathematics, applied mathematics, and computer science.

Nicholas Cummins from Rock Island, Ill., a senior majoring in biology.

Zain Dada from Davenport, Iowa, a senior majoring in biology.

Grace Drenth from Davenport, Iowa, a senior majoring in psychology.

Tonnie Farwell from Rock Island, Ill., a junior majoring in accounting.

Kayla Ferguson from Orion, Ill., a senior majoring in creative writing.

Abby Fiedler from Orion, Ill., a senior majoring in mathematics education and mathematics.

Jillian Gibbs from Rock Island, Ill., a senior majoring in biology.

Shai Gonzales from Milan, Ill., a junior majoring in political science.

Thomas Harris from Davenport, Iowa, a senior majoring in biology.

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

Alexandra Jones from Sherrard, Ill., a junior majoring in biology.

Samantha Kammerman from Milan, Ill., a sophomore majoring in psychology.

Benjamin Knapper from Davenport, Iowa, a sophomore majoring in applied mathematics.

Manisha Kumar from Davenport, Iowa, a senior majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Anna Letendre from Rock Island, Ill., a senior majoring in business administration-marketing and psychology.

Kelsey Lovaas from Davenport, Iowa, a senior majoring in business administration-management and accounting.

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

Hannah Maloney from Davenport, Iowa, a senior majoring in psychology and communication studies.

Conner Martinez from East Moline, Ill., a senior majoring in accounting.

Melissa Mc Greer from Illinois City, Ill., a senior majoring in biology.

Nathaniel McDowell from Rock Island, Ill., a senior majoring in English, philosophy, and classics.

Samantha McGreer from Illinois City, Ill., a sophomore majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Timothy Murga from Rock Island, Ill., a senior majoring in biology.

Leart Neziroski from East Moline, Ill., a senior majoring in biology and pre-medicine.

Jacob O'Rourke from Davenport, Iowa, a senior majoring in accounting, economics, and business administration-finance.

Douglas Peters from Port Byron, Ill., a senior majoring in neuroscience and biology.

Richard Rector from Davenport, Iowa, a senior majoring in communication sciences and disorders.

Lauren Reid from Sherrard, Ill., a senior majoring in business administration-marketing and communication studies.

Amie Rogers from Rock Island, Ill., a senior majoring in art and theatre arts.

Anna Rusch from Davenport, Iowa, a junior majoring in business administration-advising.

Lisa Schippers from East Moline, Ill., a senior majoring in communication sciences and disorders.

Andrew Shearouse from Coal Valley, Ill., a junior majoring in business administration-advising.

Roman Shepard from Davenport, Iowa, a first year majoring in liberal studies.

Rosalie Starenko from Rock Island, Ill., a sophomore majoring in geography.

James Stratton from Sherrard, Ill., a sophomore majoring in multimedia journalism and mass communication.

Astrid Tello-Rodriguez from Milan, Ill., a senior majoring in psychology.

Emma Thompson from Port Byron, Ill., a junior majoring in Spanish and psychology.

Chelsea Vickerman from Silvis, Ill., a senior majoring in business administration-finance.

Kaleigh Wall from Eldridge, Iowa, a senior majoring in art.

Alexander Wenskunas from Davenport, Iowa, a senior majoring in political science.

Dalinda Widdop from Milan, Ill., a junior majoring in biology.

James Wiebler from Davenport, Iowa, a junior majoring in biology.

Laurel Williams from Milan, Ill., a senior majoring in communication sciences and disorders.

Shelby Womack from Davenport, Iowa, a junior majoring in biology.

Jennifer Youngs from Taylor Ridge, Ill., a senior majoring in psychology and political science.

Alyssa Zwicker from Orion, Ill., a junior majoring in psychology and sociology.

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 139 Academic All-Americans, a Nobel laureate, 12 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.

Making College Affordable

DES MOINES, IA (06/22/2012)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald was on a call with President Obama on Thursday discussing the importance of helping families make college affordable. "As state treasurer, I have always advocated for saving for college," Fitzgerald stated. "Since the 1998 launch of College Savings Iowa, Iowa's 529 plan, my efforts in raising awareness about this important topic have only increased. While tens of thousands of families are saving through College Savings Iowa right here in Iowa, many still find themselves taking out student loans."

On a call with President Obama, Treasurer Fitzgerald and the President determined that they have a common belief, we need to help young people and their families make college affordable.

The President wants Congress to pass legislation that will stop student loan interest rates from doubling on July 1, 2012. For Iowa families, the average amount Iowa students will borrow next year is just over $4,000. If the interest doubles, this will cost those students an extra $993 over the life of that loan.

Through College Savings Iowa, Fitzgerald advises families to start saving early and to save regularly. Saving early may help reduce a family's need to borrow to cover educational expenses, which will help parents - and their children - get through college with less debt. "While my message is still the same, I don't believe that families who have been unable to save enough should be penalized by having to pay more in student loan interest," Fitzgerald stated. "I encourage all Iowans to make their voice heard in Washington the next nine days."

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Kimberly Andresen-Reed Earns Degree From Cornell College

MOUNT VERNON, IA (06/21/2012)(readMedia)-- Kimberly Andresen-Reed of Davenport earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa.

Andresen-Reed was one of 254 students to receive degrees from the college during its June 2 ceremony.

One of the 40 "Colleges That Change Lives," Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, is a national liberal arts college with a distinctive One Course At A Time (OCAAT) academic calendar. The OCAAT schedule provides students with intellectual immersion, academic focus, and unique freedom to shed the confines of the traditional classroom to study off-campus, pursue research, or accept an internship-all without missing out on other classes. Founded in 1853, the college's entire hilltop campus is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Joshua Johnson of Port Byron Graduates from Dominican University

RIVER FOREST, IL (06/21/2012)(readMedia)-- Joshua Johnson, a resident of Port Byron, graduated cum laude from Dominican University in May with a bachelor's degree in sculpture and painting. Johnson attended Riverdale Senior High School.

Founded in 1901, Dominican University is a comprehensive, coeducational Catholic institution offering bachelor's degrees through the Rosary College of Arts and Sciences and master's degrees through the Graduate School of Library and Information Science, the Brennan School of Business, the School of Education, the Graduate School of Social Work and the School of Professional and Continuing Studies. The university also offers a doctoral degree in library and information science. In the 2012 issue of America's Best Colleges, U.S. News & World Report ranked Dominican University in the top 20 of Midwest master's level universities. The magazine also ranked Dominican as one of three Great Schools at a Great Price in Illinois.

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today released the following statements upon learning Iowa was denied a No Child Left Behind waiver. Read the official letter from the United States Department of Education here.

Gov. Branstad:

"Responsibility for the denial of this request lies squarely at the feet of the Iowa Legislature, which did too little to improve our schools despite repeated warnings. The education reform plan Lt. Governor Reynolds and I proposed would have ensured a waiver from the onerous federal No Child Left Behind law. Lawmakers, instead, chose to delay updating the educator evaluation system by requiring a task force study the issue and make recommendations for consideration by the 2013 Legislature. The U.S. Department of Education, however, left the door open to approving Iowa's request for flexibility if lawmakers come back to the table and pass meaningful reform that gives the Iowa Department of Education the authority it needs to update evaluations now.

"Iowa has slipped to the middle of the pack in education in part because we did not adopt the same rigorous policies as other states receiving the waiver. This reflects poorly on Iowa, and our students deserve better."

 

Lt. Gov. Reynolds:

"The governor and I have traveled all 99 counties, and dozens of those visits centered on school transformation. Iowans understand that our children and grandchildren must be prepared with a globally competition education. Governor Branstad and I presented an education blueprint that would have done just that, while also passing the waiver test.

"Our door remains open, and if state lawmakers want to come together to give the Iowa Department of Education the authority it needs to move ahead with updating educator evaluation now - with a focus on continual improvement and accountability - we are ready.  We cannot allow our children to be stuck in 20th century schools when it is critical that we do more to assure they are prepared for the 21st century."

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In just over a week, student loan interest rates are set to double.

That means a college student who takes out the maximum in subsidized federal loans could pay nearly $10,000 more in interest. That's seriously unacceptable.

We've built a calculator that you and your friends can use to figure out how much more you could pay if Congress fails to stop the increase.

Click here to check out the calculator, then tell leaders in Congress how much more you'd pay!

Iowa ranks third in the nation in student loan debt. The last thing college students here in Iowa - and the 7.4 million students nationwide - need is even more debt after they graduate.

It's time to quit playing games. Congress needs to put partisanship aside and get to work NOW to prevent this rate hike.

Try out the student loan calculator, then tell Congress to act before July 1!

Thanks for all you do. -Bruce

Dubuque, Iowa - Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa, awarded degrees and honors at its 169th Commencement Ceremony on May 12, 2012.

The following area students were honored at the ceremony:

Megan Chitty, Davenport, Magna Cum Laude, BA in Social Work

Sonia McCallister, Davenport, MSN in Nursing.

Clarke University is a Catholic, liberal arts and sciences university dedicated to preparing students to make an impact. Known for superb teaching and academics, Clarke offers more than 40 undergraduate liberal arts and pre-professional programs and five graduate degree programs. Founded in 1843 by the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Clarke is located near the Mississippi River in Dubuque, Iowa. Clarke's 55-acre campus is a blend of historic buildings and new, state-of-the-art facilities.

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Mankato, MN...The Academic High Honor and Honor lists (Dean's lists) for the past spring semester at Minnesota State University, Mankato have been announced by Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Scott Olson.

Among the 2,961 students listed, a total of 748 students qualified for the High Honor List by achieving a 4.0 straight "A" average, while 2,213 students earned a 3.5 to 3.99 average to qualify for the Honor List.

Keyvan Rudd, of Davenport, was named to the Honor List

To qualify for academic honors, undergraduate students must be enrolled for at least 12 credit hours for a grade.

LINCOLN, NE (06/19/2012)(readMedia)-- Samantha Walton Adrales of Davenport was named to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Deans' List/Honor Roll for the spring semester of the 2011-12 academic year.

Adrales is a sophomore English major in the College of Arts and Sciences .

Qualification for the Deans' List varies among the eight undergraduate colleges and the Honor Roll for the Division of General Studies. Listed below are the minimum grade-point averages on a 4-point scale (4.0 equals A) for each entity and the name of its respective dean. All qualifying grade-point averages are based on a minimum of 12 or more graded semester hours. Students can be on the Dean's List for more than one college.

? College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, 3.75; Dean Steven F. Waller.

? College of Architecture, top 10 percent of the students in the college; Interim Dean Kim Wilson.

? College of Arts and Sciences, 3.7; Dean David Manderscheid.

? College of Business Administration, 3.6; Dean Donde Plowman.

? College of Education and Human Sciences, 3.75; Dean Marjorie Kostelnik.

? College of Engineering, 3.5; Dean Timothy Wei.

? College of Journalism and Mass Communications, 3.7; Interim Dean James O'Hanlon.

? Division of General Studies Honor Roll, 3.6; Director of Undergraduate Education Nancy Mitchell.

? Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts, 3.7; Interim Dean Christin Mamiya.

A full list of Deans' List/Honor Roll students can be found at:

http://newsroom.unl.edu/releases/downloadables/msword/20120618deanslist.txt

Emphasis on Early Testing Leads to a Homogenized Workforce, He Says

Since former President George W. Bush amped up standardized testing throughout the nation in 2002 with the No Child Left Behind Act, critics say results have been negative.

"The bottom line is that there is no clear correlation between standardized testing and the knowledge and skills kids will need to prosper in the 21st century world of work," says Peter Weddle, former CEO of Job Bank USA, Inc., and author of A Multitude of Hope: A Novel About Rediscovering the American Dream (www.AMultitudeofHope.com).

"It seems we're more interested in creating a homogenized workforce than a nation of individuals who have learned what their talent is and how to bring it to work with them," he says.

Consider these statistics:

Annual state spending on standardized tests has increased by 160 percent - from $423 million in 2002 to $1.1 billion in 2008, according to the Pew Center on the States.

Since 2002, the United States dropped from 18th in the world in math on the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) to 31st place in 2009, with a similar drop in science and no change in reading.

The NCLB Act has drastically narrowed content, according to a study by the Center on Education Policy.

"This problem begins very early on. We take kids in elementary school and give them tests. Those who do well are designated as 'gifted and talented,' which means that everyone else is, by definition, ungifted and untalented. And, that's just not true.  In effect, we're devaluing all the capabilities that are not reflected in a standardized test," he says.

"Of course, we want to take care of our academically proficient kids, but we have to find a way to do that without signaling to every other child that they were at the end of the line when talent was handed out."

Too many Americans are stuck in old ways of thinking, from the classrooms of our elementary schools and colleges to the workplace," Weddle says. "But we're in a new economy and the path to the American Dream has changed. That means our old-school thinking must change as well."

He offers ways Americans can get back in the game as world leaders:

• We need to accept that the economy has changed: The first step to change is acknowledging it's needed, Weddle says. "Our employers are no longer competing with cheaper labor; they're up against smarter labor worldwide," he says. We hold a trump card, however: We have the most diverse pool of talent on the globe, whereas countries such as China and India have, by choice, a homogenous workforce.

• We must give career education greater priority: In China, every college student must, as a requirement of graduation, take a yearlong course that teaches them the skills and knowledge to manage their own careers effectively.  In the United States, that instruction is missing from college curricula. Yet, 53.6 percent of all college graduates under the age of 25 are now either unemployed or underemployed.

• We need to redefine talent so we can use it: "Our culture has taught us that talent is the province of exceptional people doing exceptional things," he says.  "We can see the talent of Lady Gaga, but not the talent of an accounts payable clerk.  And that's myopic.  We are all endowed with talent, but we have to discover it, nurture it and then bring it to work with us."

• We have to see ourselves as a 'work in progress': "The world of work is changing at warp speed - new technology, shifts in the global marketplace and changes in consumer tastes," he says. "That's why we need to be committed to continuous learning.  Regardless of our educational degree, years of experience or level of seniority, we need to be acquiring new skills and knowledge all of the time."

About Peter Weddle

Peter Weddle, a former recruiter and human resource consultant, is the CEO of the International Association of Employment Web Sites, a trade organization. He has written or edited more than two dozen non-fiction books regarding careers and employment; "A Multitude of Hope" is his first work of fiction. Weddle is the founder and former CEO of Job Bank USA, Inc., one of the largest electronic employment services companies in the United States.

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