Christine Renae Allen, a resident of Davenport, IA has earned a Bachelor of Science.

Darin D. Oberhart, a resident of Bettendorf, IA has earned a Bachelor of Science.

Excelsior College is an accredited, private, nonprofit institution that focuses on the needs of working adults. Its primary mission is to increase access to a college degree for adult learners by removing obstacles to their educational goals. Excelsior's unique strength is its acknowledged leadership in the assessment of student knowledge. It does so by providing working adults multiple avenues to degree completion that include its own online courses and college-level proficiency examinations, and the acceptance of credit in transfer from other colleges and universities.

Founded in 1971 and located in Albany, N.Y., it is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Its bachelor's degrees in nuclear engineering technology and electronics engineering technology are accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET. Excelsior's degree programs in nursing are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). The School of Nursing has been designated a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing. Excelsior's bachelor's degrees in accounting (NYS CPA Track) and business are recognized by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). Its Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program is the first exclusively distance learning-based program to be admitted to full membership in to the Association of Graduate Liberal Studies Programs (AGLSP).

HUNTINGTON, IN (03/19/2012)(readMedia)-- Sarah Johnson of Davenport, IA, of the Huntington University Indiana Beta Chapter of Alpha Chi National Honor Scholarship will be attending the Alpha Chi Super-Regional Convention in Baltimore, Md., on March 22-24.

Johnson, a senior journalism and English major will present on "You Sure, Pooh?: Certainty in A. A. Milne's Child, Adult and Hundred Acre Wood Characters."

The delegation will be accompanied by sponsors Dr. Norris Friesen, Dr. Paul Michelson and Mrs. Jean Michelson.

The Indiana Beta Chapter was awarded the President's Cup in 2001 as the outstanding Alpha Chi chapter nationally. At the 2012 convention, it will be recognized for the 17th consecutive year as a Star Chapter of Alpha Chi, one of only four chapters (out of some 300-plus) nationally to receive this award every year since its inception. Dr. Paul Michelson serves as secretary-treasurer of Alpha Chi's Region V and is a member of the Alpha Chi National Council.

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).

Governor and Basketball Great Join Business Leaders for

Community Discussion about Education

CHICAGO - March 18, 2012. With March Madness in full swing, Governor Pat Quinn today teamed up with the NBA's All-Time Leading Scorer and U.S. Global Cultural Ambassador Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to encourage children to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) learning in Illinois. Studies show STEM education helps close the achievement gap and better prepares students for success in college and their careers, which are key parts of Governor Quinn's agenda to improve education in Illinois. Abdul-Jabbar, a New York Times best-selling author, co-wrote the children's book "What Color is my World? - The Lost History of African American Inventors" which promotes STEM innovation and learning among children.

"Our schools and education systems must always put our children first," Governor Quinn said. "STEM gives students in Illinois and throughout the United States the tools they need to be competitive in the global economy of today and tomorrow."

"If America is to maintain our high standard of living, we must continue to innovate," said Abdul-Jabbar. "We are competing with nations many times our size and STEM learning represents the engines of innovation. With these engines we can lead the world, because knowledge is real power."

Several heads of Illinois-based corporations joined Abdul-Jabbar and Governor Quinn at Martin Luther King, Jr. College Preparatory High School to participate in a public dialogue with students about the important roles education and perseverance play in their future. They also presented the school with a $5,000 grant for new textbooks, ensuring that these students have the resources they need to succeed.

"The importance of attracting our young people to science, technology, engineering and math is undeniable as companies such as Navistar seek the talent needed to grow and prosper," said Greg Elliott, Navistar senior vice president of HR and Administration. "Navistar's decision to expand in Illinois was rooted in our belief that we have great talent in this state, and today's event is evidence of the collective commitment to Illinois' education."

"When I'm hiring, one of the most important things I look for is a good education," said John Griffin Jr., President of AGB Investigative Services, one of the Midwest's leading minority-owned cyber security firms. "Students who learn about information technology and computers at an earlier age have a leg up because the skills they have are what companies need to compete in today's economy."

"A. Finkl & Sons is pleased to participate in the Governor's initiative to encourage the study of science, technology, engineering and math in our schools. Encouraging students at an early age makes a huge difference, and teachers can use more tools that engage our children, such as Kareem Abdul-Jabar's book," said Bruce Liimatainen, Chairman and CEO.

Academic focus in STEM areas have proven to foster innovation and provide students with the building blocks to succeed scholastically and professionally. The solution for long term economic growth points to a strong STEM workforce. Increased proficiency in these realms gives students an advantage in the 21stcentury global marketplace.

Under Governor Quinn's leadership, state officials have begun to implement a statewide initiative known as the STEM Learning Exchange to focus on educating and training students in nine key career fields, including: health science, agriculture, food and natural resources, information technology, finance, architecture and construction, transportation, distribution and logistics, manufacturing, research and developmental energy.

The program involves strong collaboration between pre-K-12 schools, colleges and professionals in each of the nine STEM fields to provide students with targeted resources such as internships and other work-based learning opportunities. Students also can also connect with adult mentors and apply what they learn in the classroom to a career. The program will launch in fall of 2012, and is funded through federal Race to the Top education funds.

###

ROCK ISLAND, IL (03/16/2012)(readMedia)-- Forty-seven Augustana College students studied and worked in Sydney, Australia, for the first two months of 2012. The international study program known as "Augustana in Australia" places students in career-relevant positions in Sydney and immerses them in Australian culture.

From your area:

Rebecca Anderson from Taylor Ridge, Ill., was among the participants. Anderson is a senior at Augustana and is majoring in biology. (More info on Anderson is available at http://www.augustana.edu/x37549.xml.)

Thomas Harris from Davenport, Iowa, was among the participants. Harris is a junior at Augustana and is majoring in biology. (More info on Harris is available at http://www.augustana.edu/x37561.xml.)

Clare Kilbride from Rock Island, Ill., was among the participants. Kilbride is a junior at Augustana and is majoring in communication sciences and disorders. (More info on Kilbride is available at http://www.augustana.edu/x37570.xml.)

The students completed a five-week on-campus internship seminar and a complimentary class in either intercultural communication or business ethics before leaving for Australia on January 2. Once in Australia, students worked for a variety of employers in numerous fields - from healthcare to education and from hospitality to non-profit work.

During their trip, the students also visited the ANZ Stadium, where the 2000 Olympics were held; the Sydney Opera House; and the Blue Mountains just outside of Sydney. Some students traveled to New Zealand and other areas of Australia, including Melbourne, Darwin and Cairns, where they were able to snorkel and dive the Great Barrier Reef. Students returned to the United States on March 2.

According to Karen M. Petersen, Augustana's director of business internships and the Australia program's director, "The highlight of the Australia internship program is the personal growth students experience by integrating into a totally new culture - both personally and professionally."

At Augustana, students choosing to intern or study abroad can receive financial support from the college thanks to a program launched in 2009 called Augie Choice. Focused on advancing student learning in the liberal arts in alignment with the college's strategic plan, Augie Choice grants students in their junior year or beyond the opportunity to receive a one-time grant of $2,000 to offset the expenses of study abroad, an internship or research project. Augie Choice funding, which recently surpassed the $1 million milestone, is a visible symbol of the college's commitment to experiential learning as a way of preparing students to stand out among their peers.

About Augustana: Founded in 1860 and situated on a 115-acre campus near the Mississippi River, Augustana College is a private, liberal arts institution affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The college enrolls 2,500 students from diverse geographic, social, ethnic and religious backgrounds and offers nearly 90 majors and related areas of study. Augustana employs 287 faculty members and has a student-faculty ratio of approximately 11:1. Augustana continues to do what it has always done: challenge and prepare students for lives of leadership and service in our complex, ever-changing world.