ST. LOUIS, MO (07/08/2011)(readMedia)-- Betty Gibson, daughter of Mary Junck and Ralph Gibson of Pleasant Valley, Iowa (52767), received an undergraduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis on May 20. Gibson graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Art History, French, and German from the College of Arts & Sciences.

Gibson was among the 2,800 students who received degrees at the university's 150th Commencement ceremony, which was held in Brookings Quadrangle on campus. Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor and human rights activist, delivered the Commencement address. Wiesel received an honorary doctor of humane letters.

Gibson received the Merle King Undergraduate Honors Fellowship Award for Best Senior Presentation. Gibson is a 2007 graduate of Pleasant Valley High School in Bettendorf, Iowa.

Washington University is counted among the world's leaders in teaching and research, and it draws students and faculty to St. Louis from all 50 states and more than 110 nations. The total student body is nearly 14,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students.

The approximately 3,400 faculty teach in seven schools: Arts & Sciences, Brown School, Olin Business School, Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, School of Engineering & Applied Science, School of Law and School of Medicine. Twenty-three Nobel laureates have been associated with Washington University, with nine doing the major portion of their pioneering research there.

The university offers more than 90 programs and almost 1,500 courses leading to bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in a broad spectrum of traditional and interdisciplinary fields, with additional opportunities for minor concentrations and individualized programs.

On the web: http://readabout.me/achievements/Betty-Gibson-Earns-Undergraduate-Degree-from-Washington-University-in-St-Louis/2797262.

Talent Search Program Providing Funds to Eight Iowa Schools

WASHINGTON D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) announced today that eight universities and colleges in Iowa have been awarded funding from the TRIO Talent Search Program, administered through the U.S. Department of Education.  The goal of the Talent Search Program is to increase the number of disadvantaged youth who complete high school and enroll in postsecondary education. The program helps identify and assist individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who have potential to succeed in high school and continued education. The program provides financial information, career and educational advice including educating students about the availability of financial assistance for postsecondary education. The program also provides support to students who have dropped out of school and hope to enter or re-enter the education. The colleges and universities selected will use the funds to pinpoint communities in their area in special need and provide the needed assistance to potential students.

Senator Harkin is Chairman of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that funds the TRIO Talent Search Program and Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee.

"Providing access to educational and financial information to less advantaged students in Iowa is critical for our state's continued economic improvement and the improvement of Iowans' quality of life," said Harkin. "It is important we help those who wish to, and have the potential to succeed in high school and postsecondary education by giving them the information to improve themselves academically and financially."

The following schools were provided the corresponding funds:


Briar Cliff University                     $295,598.00
Central College                        $363,832.00
Graceland University                     $331,500.00
Iowa Lakes Community College                        $354,067.00
Iowa State University of Science and Technology    $337,333.00
Southwestern Community College                        $230,000.00
University of Northern Iowa                           $404,867.00
Western Iowa Tech Community College                   $237,039.00

July 26                                   
Scott County Extension Council Meeting at the Extension Office
7pm

August 5                                
Pesticide Applicator Testing
10am-2pm at the Extension Office

August 23                              
Scott County Extension Council Meeting at the Extension Office
7pm

September 2                          
Pesticide Applicator Testing
10am-2pm at the Extension Office 

September 27                        
Scott County Extension Council Meeting at the Extension Office
7pm 

October 5                              
Aquatic, Forest and Roadside Pest Management CIC, $35 if registered by 9/28/11, after that $45
At the Scott County Extension Office, 9am-11:30am

October 7                              
Pesticide Applicator Testing
10am-2pm at the Extension Office 

October 25                            
Scott County Extension Council Meeting at the Extension Office
7pm 

October 27                            
Mosquito & Public Health Pest Management CIC, $35 if registered by 10/20/11, after that $45
At the Scott County Extension Office, 9am-11:30am 

November 4                           
Pesticide Applicator Testing
10am-2pm at the Extension Office 

November 9                           
Ornamental & Turf Applicators CIC, $35 if registered by 11/2/11, after that $45
At the Scott County Extension Office, 1:30pm-4pm 

November 16                         
Commercial Ag Weed, Insect, and Plant Disease Management CIC, $35 if registered by 11/9/11, after that
$45, at the Scott County Extension Office, 9am-11:30am 

November 29                         
Fumigation CIC, $35 if registered by 11/22/11, after that $45, at the Scott County Extension Office,
9am-11:30am 

December 2                           
Pesticide Applicator Testing
10am-2pm at the Extension Office 

December 7                           
Pest Control Operators CIC, $35 if registered by 11/30/11, after that $45, at the Scott County Extension
Office, 9am-11:30am

ATLANTA (07/06/2011)(readMedia)-- Elizabeth Horvat of Bettendorf, Iowa (52722), daughter of Valerie Horvat of Bettendorf, Iowa (52722) and Anthony Horvat of Bettendorf, Iowa (52722), received a Bachelor of Arts from Emory College of Emory University in Atlanta, Ga., at its 166th commencement ceremony on May 9, 2011.

Emory University is known for its demanding academics, outstanding undergraduate experience, highly ranked professional schools and state-of-the-art research facilities. Perennially ranked as one of the country's top 20 national universities by U.S. News & World Report, Emory encompasses nine academic divisions as well as the Carlos Museum, The Carter Center, the Yerkes National Primate Research Center and Emory Healthcare, Georgia's largest and most comprehensive health care system.

On the web: http://readabout.me/achievements/Elizabeth-Horvat-Graduates-from-Emory-University/2774332.

Iowa City, Iowa - (Student's name) of (hometown) is among 3,800 undergraduate students at the University of Iowa named to the UI Dean's List for the 2011 spring semester.
All students named to the dean's list carried at least 12 graded hours during the semester. A minimum 3.5 grade-point average (based on a 4.0 scale) for current work is required for inclusion on the dean's list in the Colleges of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Nursing, Business Administration and Engineering. College of Pharmacy students on the dean's list carried at least 12 graded semester hours and maintained a minimum 3.25 grade point average (based on a 4.0 scale).

Moline, IL
Katelyn Marie Duyvejonck, Liberal Arts and Sciences; Samantha Nicole McCarthy, Liberal Arts and Sciences; Benjamin Louis Meersman, Business; Gregory J. Pepping, Business; Jessica Renae Welsh, Liberal Arts and Sciences;

Rock Island, IL
Kevin Robert Johnson, Engineering;
Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) announced that theUnited States Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $513,900 in grants to Allen College, Clarke College and St. Ambrose University in Eastern Iowa. The grants will fund nurse faculty loan programs and scholarships for disadvantaged students through the end of June 2012. Each school received the following amounts:

Clarke College - Dubuque: $56,485

Allen College - Waterloo: $49,011

St. Ambrose University - Davenport: $408,404

"These schools have a reputation and tradition of excellence," Braley said. "And these grants will allow them to build and expand upon programs that are already extremely successful, helping to graduate qualified and successful students."

# # #

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), today announced that several Iowa colleges and universities will receive a total $825,750 for the creation and continuation of programs that support nurse faculty and disadvantaged students.  The funding comes from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

"Investing in Iowa's colleges and universities means investing in the future of our state and its residents," said Harkin.  "Education is a major rung in the ladder of opportunity and with this funding, we strengthen that opportunity.  In addition, Iowa has some of the strongest health training programs and best health professionals in the country, and by making further investments in educating Iowa's healthcare workforce we will keep our state a leader for generations to come."

Harkin is Chairman of the Appropriations subcommittee that funds HHS.  He is also Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee.

The funding is as follows:


Allen College, Waterloo
$31,278.00 in new funding through the Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students program.
$17,733.00 in continued funding through the Nurse Faculty Loan Program.

St. Ambrose, Davenport
$408,404.00 in new funding through the Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students program.

University of Iowa
$98,566.00 in new funding through the Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students program.
$131,540.00 in continued funding through the Nurse Faculty Loan Program.

Indian Hills Community College
$81,744.00 in new funding through the Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students program.

Clarke College, Dubuque
$56,485.00 in continued funding through the Nurse Faculty Loan Program.

NOTRE DAME, IN (06/30/2011)(readMedia)-- Elizabeth Adams graduated in May from Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, IN. Elizabeth, daughter of Denise and James Adams of Davenport, IA, received a BBA in Business Administration and Communication Studies.

About Saint Mary's College: Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, Ind., is a four-year, Catholic, women's institution offering five bachelor's degrees and more than 30 major areas of study. Saint Mary's College has six nationally accredited academic programs: social work, art, music, teacher education, chemistry and nursing. Saint Mary's College ranks among the top 100 "Best National Liberal Arts Colleges" in the U.S. News & World Report 2011 College Guide. Founded in 1844, Saint Mary's is a pioneer in the education of women, and is sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross.

On the web: http://readabout.me/achievements/Elizabeth-Adams-Receives-Bachelors-Degree-from-Saint-Marys-College/2754722.

NOTRE DAME, IN (06/30/2011)(readMedia)-- Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, Ind., named Katherine Kautz to the Dean's List for the spring 2011 semester. Katherine is the daughter of Ann and Gregory Kautz of Bettendorf, IA. To earn academic honors at Saint Mary's, a student must achieve a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.6 on a 4.0 scale, have at least 12 graded credit hours, no incompletes, and no grades lower than a C.

About Saint Mary's College: Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, Ind., is a four-year, Catholic, women's institution offering five bachelor's degrees and more than 30 major areas of study. Saint Mary's College has six nationally accredited academic programs: social work, art, music, teacher education, chemistry and nursing. Saint Mary's College ranks among the top 100 "Best National Liberal Arts Colleges" in the U.S. News & World Report 2011 College Guide. Founded in 1844, Saint Mary's is a pioneer in the education of women, and is sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross.

On the web: http://readabout.me/achievements/Katherine-Kautz-Named-to-Deans-List-at-Saint-Mary-s-College/2754747.

LEE'S SUMMIT, MO (06/29/2011)(readMedia)-- Students in the Class of 2011 in the Davenport area are most interested in pursuing a college major or career in Medical Physician. This finding was released today by My College Options, the nation's largest college planning program.

Across 58 high schools in the Davenport area, 10.2% of students say they are interested in Medical Physician. Around 2,920 area students participated in the My College Options college planning program, reporting their future interests for colleges and careers.

Ryan Munce, Vice President of My College Options, commented, "The most important part of the transition from high school to college is connecting a college education with their future hopes and dreams. While students are in high school, they need to understand that their college educations will help them accomplish what they want to with their lives."

Although college majors and career interests may change over time, these findings give us a glimpse of what the future workforce may look like in Davenport and across the nation.

The top five college majors/career interests for Davenport area seniors are:

1. Medical Physician - 10.2%

2. Nursing/Health Care - 8.5%

3. Music - 8%

4. Teaching/Education - 7.5%

5. Psychology/Psychiatry - 7.1%

About My College Options®

MyCollegeOptions.org, the nation's largest college planning program, is operated by the National Research Center for College & University Admissions™. For almost 40 years, this non-profit education research organization based in Lee's Summit, MO has served as the primary link between high school students and colleges, universities, and the resources they need to succeed. For more information, visit www.mycollegeoptions.org.

On the web: http://readme.readmedia.com/hometown-news/Medical-Physician-is-the-Most-Popular-College-Major-Choice-Among-Davenport-Area-High-School-Seniors-According-to-My-College-Options/2738087.

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