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.

CHICAGO - May 2, 2013. As the state's point person on education reform, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon today issued the following statement in support of Senate Joint Resolution 32 sponsored by Sen. Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill)

The resolution creates the General Assembly's Advisory Committee on Education Funding, which will review the state's system to fund education. The committee will issue recommendations by Feb. 1, 2014 that are aimed at reforming state funding of education in order to make it more equitable and boost student success.

"Under the current funding structure, students' learning opportunities are influenced by zip code, perpetuating a system of haves and have-nots. We need to ensure that educational opportunity is available to every student, everywhere in the state, so we can build a skilled workforce and help our economy grow.  

"I encourage members of the General Assembly to pass Sen. Manar's resolution, which will help us take a comprehensive look at our education funding system and could find areas where we can strengthen and expand the opportunities offered to our future leaders."

###

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

DES MOINES, IA (05/02/2013)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald is asking Iowans to celebrate 529 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 for the chance to win a $5,290 College Savings Iowa account." For more information and to enter the giveaway, please visit www.my529iowaplan.com before May 29.

May 29 was declared 529 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, Iowa families are encouraged to consider opening 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 visitwww.myiowa529plan.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. The Earnings portion of nonqualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as state and local income taxes. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.

###

Investment returns are not guaranteed and you could lose money by investing in the plan. Participants assume all investment risks as well as the 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 visitwww.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.

College Savings Iowa is an Iowa trust sponsored by the Iowa State Treasurer's Office. The Treasurer of the State of Iowa sponsors and is responsible for overseeing the administration of the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan. The Vanguard Group, Inc., serves as Investment Manager and Vanguard Marketing Corporation, an affiliate of The Vanguard Group, Inc., assists the Treasurer with marketing and distributing the Plan. Upromise Investment Advisors, LLC, provides records administration services. The Plan's portfolios, although they invest in Vanguard mutual funds, are not mutual funds.