19 Aug 2010

Augustana students receive honors for exceptional work

By Kamy Beattie

ROCK ISLAND, IL (08/10/2010)(readMedia)-- 85 Augustana students were honored recently at the Recognition of Student Honors Program. The annual ceremony highlights exceptional students from various academic departments through scholarships and awards.

The following students given awards are from your area:

Adam DeSimone was awarded with the Bruce R. Milligan Endowed Scholarship from the Economics department at Augustana College. The scholarship was established by Bruce R. Milligan, a 1978 graduate, in appreciation for the education received at Augustana. It is awarded to an economics major on the basis of academic achievement upon recommendation of the Department Chair. DeSimone is a junior from Bettendorf, IA majoring in economics and mathematics.

Deanna Zwicker was awarded with the Bruce R. Milligan Endowed Scholarship from the Economics department at Augustana College. The scholarship was established by Bruce R. Milligan, a 1978 graduate, in appreciation for the education received at Augustana. It is awarded to an economics major on the basis of academic achievement upon recommendation of the Department Chair. Zwicker is a senior from Orion, IL majoring in business administration-finance and economics.

Adelle DeVolder was awarded with the Harold E. and Louise Lage Swanson Scholarship from the Business Administration department at Augustana College. The scholarship is for students majoring in business administration. The award is based on academic achievement and potential for a business career. DeVolder is a senior from Moline, IL majoring in business administration-finance.

Alyssa Harmon was awarded with the Harold E. and Louise Lage Swanson Scholarship from the Business Administration department at Augustana College. The scholarship is for students majoring in business administration. The award is based on academic achievement and potential for a business career. Harmon is a senior from Moline, IL majoring in business administration-advising.

Courtney VandeWiele was awarded with the McGladrey Scholarship from the Accounting department at Augustana College. The scholarship is awarded from funds provided by the accounting firms individually. VandeWiele is a senior from Rock Island, IL majoring in political science and accounting.

Rayna Narvaez was awarded with the Ralph W. Hansen Endowed Scholarship from the Psychology department at Augustana College. The scholarship was established on the occasion of Ralph's 25th year at the college. It is awarded each year to a junior psychology major who has shown outstanding interest, ability and motivation in pursuing the study of psychology per recommendation by the Department of Psychology. Narvaez is a senior from Bettendorf, IA majoring in psychology and Spanish.

Lauren White was awarded with the S. James Galley Endowed Scholarships from the Accounting department at Augustana College. The scholarship was established by former students, present students and friends to recognize James Galley's twenty-five years of teaching at Augustana. White is a senior from East Moline, IL majoring in accounting.

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 nearly 2,500 students from diverse geographic, social, ethnic and religious backgrounds and offers more than 60 majors and areas of study. Augustana employs 226 faculty and has a student-faculty ratio of 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.

16 Aug 2010

Peter Wessels receives honors from Augustana College

By Kamy Beattie

ROCK ISLAND, IL (08/10/2010)(readMedia)-- 85 Augustana students were honored recently at the Recognition of Student Honors Program. The annual ceremony highlights exceptional students from various academic departments through scholarships and awards.

Peter Wessels was awarded with the scholarship from the Business Administration department at Augustana College. The scholarship was established by Mrs. Thomas C. Montgomery in memory of her husband. The award is to be made annually, upon approval of the president and department heads, to students who exhibit academic achievement, integrity and disciplined effort in the pursuit of careers in the fields of economics and business administration. Wessels was also awarded with the Deere and Company Scholarship from the Accounting department. The scholarship is awarded from funds provided by the Deere Foundation. Wessels is a junior from Bettendorf, IA majoring in business administration-advising and accounting.

16 Aug 2010

Elizabeth Lonning of Davenport Graduates from Fairleigh Dickinson

By readMedia

TEANECK, NJ (08/10/2010)(readMedia)-- Elizabeth Lonning, of Davenport , IA, a student on Fairleigh Dickinson University's Metropolitan Campus, located in Teaneck, N.J. has graduated as of May 2010.

The University's Metropolitan Campus for Professional and International Studies, located in the dynamic NY/NJ corridor in Teaneck, N.J., features a university atmosphere with an international perspective, attracting students from the U.S. and around the world. Undergraduates have access to the resources of a major graduate center and nearby New York City as an integral part of their learning experience.

29 Jul 2010

Students Make Honors List at Cornell College

By readMedia
Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, named 313 students to the Dean's List for the Spring Semester. The following students from the Quad Cities area were named to the list:

Christine Nguyen of Davenport, earned Highest Honors.

Michael Welvaert of Moline, earned High Honors.

James Wohrley of Dixon, earned Honors.

A grade point average of at least 3.6 on a 4.0 scale is required for this designation. "Highest honors" are granted to students with 4.0 averages; "high honors" are awarded to students with 3.8 to 3.99 averages; and "honors" include grade point averages of 3.6 to 3.79.

Cornell is distinctive in U.S. higher education in offering the combination of liberal arts and science study within the One-Course-At-A-Time framework in an active residential community. Cornell is featured as one of 40 institutions in Loren Pope's "Colleges That Change Lives" and was cited by the New York Times as one of 20 "stealth powerhouses" among more than 2,500 four-year colleges and universities in the United States.

On Cornell's One-Course-At-A-Time calendar, students study a single subject for a 3 1/2-week term. The average class size is 16. Nine terms are offered each year, enabling students to pursue multiple internships and international domestic off-campus programs during the year.

For details, go to www.cornellcollege.edu.

29 Jul 2010

Treasurer Fitzgerald Reminds State Fair Visitors to Register to Win $1,000 College Savings Iowa Account

By Karen Austin

DES MOINES, IA (07/27/2010)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald reminds State Fair visitors to stop by College Savings Iowa booth and register for a chance to win a $1,000 College Savings Iowa account for their child or grandchild. "Some lucky boy or girl will go home from the fair this year with more than just fond memories -- free money for college," says Fitzgerald. "Make sure you stop by and see us while you're in the Varied Industries Building."

Treasurer Fitzgerald encourages families to start saving for college as soon as possible. "Saving ahead of time may reduce a parent's need to borrow to cover educational expenses, which can help them-and their child-get through college with less debt," says Fitzgerald. "Even a small amount of money, invested regularly over time, can grow into a substantial sum," he added.

Anyone - parents, grandparents, friends and relatives - can invest in College Savings Iowa on behalf of a child. This state-sponsored investment plan is designed to give families a tax-advantaged way to save money for college. Investors can choose from thirteen Vanguard investment options, including four age-based investment tracks. Contributions and earnings grow free of federal and Iowa state income taxes while invested and remain tax-free when used to pay for qualified higher education expenses at any eligible college, university, community college or technical training school in the United States or abroad. * Iowa sweetens the deal for investors by allowing state taxpayers to deduct up to $2,811 in contributions per beneficiary account from their adjusted gross income in 2010. **

It doesn't take much time or money to start saving with College Savings Iowa. Investors can enroll online in about ten minutes with as little as $25. Online account services and multiple contribution methods, including electronic investment options that allow for the transfer of money directly from an existing checking or savings account, make it easy for busy families to save regularly and manage their accounts.

Saving for a child's education is always a smart investment, and College Savings Iowa is here to help. For more information about College Savings Iowa, visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com or call 1-888-672-9116.

* Earnings on non-qualified 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.

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

27 Jul 2010

Lifelong Educator Helps Kids Find Homes and Education

By Rachel Friedman

One Hero Grasps For Hope

Lifelong Educator Wants to Help Kids Find Homes, Get Diplomas

Two things that are getting tougher for kids to get in America: A place to live and an education.

According to a study by the Editorial Projects in Education Research Center, an average of 3 in 10 high school students don't reach graduation, with that rate reaching half in some areas of the country. Combine that with the report by the National Center on Family Homelessness that found more than 1.5 million children were without a home, and it's not difficult to see a stark trend.

But Leon McKinney, a lifelong educator from a rural area of Washington, wants to do something about that. He has taken stories from his three decades of teaching kids and turned them into a book -- Heroes and Hope (www.heroesandhopebook.com) -- that he is now selling, with 90 percent of the proceeds going toward education funding for kids, and the other 10 percent going to Habitat for Humanity.

"I want to help people live better lives in the midst of difficult times," he said. "Throughout my more than two decades as a teacher, I have tried to make a difference for kids and families through some principles that have stood the test of time.  Over the years, I've amassed a wealth of stories that seem to resonate with people, and so I wanted to share these stories with others to help them find vision and inspiration, but I didn't want it to be some kind of vanity exercise. I wanted it to mean something. So, I'm passing down these values and lessons from my experience as an educator, parent, and counselor to people over the last forty years in a way that not only tells them what I've seen, but shows them what I've learned."

McKinney has already raised more than $100,000 for his cause, just through $5 gifts from other teachers he has come into contact with over time. He's not sure how much his book will raise, but he's hoping the value of awareness will mean more than the dollar signs involved.

"It's tough to admit that we're struggling, as a country," he said. "In 1996, the high school graduation rate was 66.4 percent, and nearly 14 years later, we've edged it up to 69.2 percent. That's 14 years, and not even three full percentage points. We can do better. I know we can, because I've seen kids with some of the toughest challenges you can imagine overcome them to get that diploma. The missing ingredient is hope. It's my intention to tell the stories of the heroes I've encountered as an educator, and of the hope they've inspired in me and in others. By raising our hopes, and the means to make good on those dreams, I think we can beat the expectations of the experts. When I have looked into the hearts of the students and teachers I have known, I have seen that the power of the human spirit is endless. This project is about tapping into that spirit on a grander scale, and setting our sights on nothing less than making dreams come true for those who have no hope left."

About Leon McKinney

Leon McKinney earned a BA in Education and a Masters in Music Education from Central Washington State University. After teaching music for four years at Pateros schools, he taught for 21 Years at Eastmont High School and served as the Director of Music for the Eastmont Schools. Leon was honored in 2006 as the Friend of the Year of Wenatchee Valley College. Leon is married to Bonnie McKinney and they have four children:  Jeff, Brent, Christy and Brian.

20 Jul 2010

Local students named to Augustana College spring term Dean's List

By readMedia

ROCK ISLAND, IL (07/19/2010)(readMedia)-- 864 students have been named to the Dean's List at Augustana College for the 2009-10 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 our Quad Cities area, the following students have earned this honor:

  • Peter Wessels from Bettendorf, IA, a junior majoring in advising business and accounting.
  • Regina Jarrell from Davenport, IA, a junior majoring in art.
  • Audrey Waner from Davenport, IA, a senior majoring in art.
  • Alex Sieg from Bettendorf, IA, a senior majoring in biochemistry.
  • Katherine Voigt from Bettendorf, IA, a senior majoring in biology.
  • Joshua Woodham from Bettendorf, IA, a senior majoring in biology.
  • Rachel Shipley from Leclaire, IA, a senior majoring in business management and accounting.
  • Samuel Alvarado from Davenport, IA, a senior majoring in chemistry.
  • Adam DeSimone from Bettendorf, IA, a junior majoring in economics and math.
  • Kelli Schledewitz from Davenport, IA, a senior majoring in teaching English.
  • Megan Lonergan from Davenport, IA, a senior majoring in elementary education.
  • Catherine Ziegler from Bettendorf, IA, a senior majoring in English.
  • Henry Stauffenberg from Bettendorf, IA, a senior majoring in geology.
  • Anthony Ash from Davenport, IA, a sophomore majoring in liberal studies.
  • Thomas Harris from Davenport, IA, a sophomore majoring in liberal studies.
  • Kelsey Lovaas from Davenport, IA, a first year majoring in liberal studies.
  • Moselle Singh from Le Claire, IA, a first year majoring in liberal studies.
  • Gaetano Iaccarino from Davenport, IA, a junior majoring in music performance-instrumental and anthropology.
  • Jasmine Brooks from Davenport, IA, a sophomore majoring in political science.
  • Alannah Golden from Davenport, IA, a sophomore majoring in pre-elementary education.
  • Manisha Kumar from Davenport, IA, a sophomore majoring in pre-medicine and biology.
  • Rayna Narvaez from Bettendorf, IA, a senior majoring in psychology and Spanish.
  • Bridget Reich from Bettendorf, IA, a senior majoring in psychology.
  • Victoria Hays from Milan, IL, a senior majoring in accounting.
  • Lauren Reid from Sherrard, IL, a junior majoring in advising business.
  • Felipe Villagomez from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in anthropology and advising business.
  • Meghan Showers from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in Asian studies and political science.
  • Courtney Brown from Port Byron, IL, a junior majoring in biology and pre-medicine.
  • Anthony Chesser from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in biology.
  • Mohammed Hussain from Moline, IL, a junior majoring in biology and pre-medicine.
  • Rebekka Laverenz from Coal Valley, IL, a senior majoring in biology.
  • James Sales from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in biology.
  • Anna Smith from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in biology and psychology.
  • Mark Stumphy from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in biology.
  • Josephine Swanson from Rock Island, IL, a junior majoring in biology.
  • Astrid Tello-Rodriguez from Milan, IL, a sophomore majoring in biology.
  • Michael Kendall from Silvis, IL, a senior majoring in biology.
  • Benjamin Marine from Coal Valley, IL, a senior majoring in biology, pre-medicine and business advising.
  • Allison Mulherin from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in biology.
  • Srividya Prabhu from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in biology and pre-medicine.
  • Bret Vandewoestyne from Silvis, IL, a senior majoring in biology.
  • Adelle DeVolder from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in business finance.
  • Eric Wigand from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in business finance.
  • Deanna Zwicker from Orion, IL, a senior majoring in business finance and economics.
  • Geoffrey Schoon from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in business finance and accounting.
  • Alyssa Schroeder from Coal Valley, IL, a senior majoring in business finance and accounting.
  • Angel Traman from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in business management.
  • Amy Malmstead from Moline, IL, a junior majoring in business marketing.
  • Janelle VanWatermeulen from Silvis, IL, a junior majoring in business marketing.
  • Katherine Vander Vennet from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in business marketing and communication studies.
  • Luke Osborne from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in classics with Latin emphasis.
  • Laurel Williams from Milan, IL, a junior majoring in communication science & disorders and English.
  • Kevin Carton from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in communication studies and French.
  • Olivia Husman from East Moline, IL, a senior majoring in communication studies.
  • Andrew Showers from Moline, IL, a sophomore majoring in computer science and philosophy.
  • Carrie Bestian from Taylor Ridge, IL, a senior majoring in elementary education.
  • Megan Ferris from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in elementary education.
  • Darla Smith from Port Byron, IL, a senior majoring in elementary education.
  • Paul Lambrecht from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in teaching history.
  • Jasmin Landeros from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in elementary education.
  • Monica Seif from East Moline, IL, a senior majoring in elementary education.
  • Amber Soike from East Moline, IL, a junior majoring in elementary education.
  • Neil Friberg from Rock Island, IL, a junior majoring in English.
  • Nicholas Borchert from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in English and philosophy.
  • Crystina Mayfield from Coal Valley, IL, a junior majoring in French.
  • Michael Seevers from Cordova, IL, a senior majoring in geography.
  • Sydney Royal from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in German and accounting.
  • Thomas Lemon from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in history and business management.
  • Andrew Shaffer from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in history.
  • Mary Lambrecht from Moline, IL, a sophomore majoring in liberal studies.
  • Douglas Peters from Port Byron, IL, a sophomore majoring in liberal studies.
  • Jonathan Smith from Moline, IL, a sophomore majoring in liberal studies.
  • Chelsea Vickerman from Silvis, IL, a sophomore majoring in liberal studies.
  • Calvin Vo from Moline, IL, a sophomore majoring in liberal studies.
  • Samuel Anderson from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in math and computer science.
  • Martha Ade from Moline, IL, a junior majoring in music and English.
  • Theodore Teros from Moline, IL, a junior majoring in philosophy.
  • Bryan Schuldt from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in physics.
  • Owen Engstrom from Sherrard, IL, a junior majoring in political science.
  • Courtney Vandewiele from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in political science and accounting.
  • Nicholas Camlin from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in political science.
  • Jacquelyn Martini from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in political science.
  • Leart Neziroski from East Moline, IL, a sophomore majoring in pre-medicine and biology.
  • Justine Nuguid from Moline, IL, a junior majoring in pre-medicine and biology.
  • Sarah Potter from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in psychology.
  • Jennifer Youngs from Taylor Ridge, IL, a junior majoring in psychology.
  • Maria Vital from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in Spanish.
  • Audrey Taylor from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in teaching biology.
  • Brianna Dyer from Rock Island, IL, a senior majoring in teaching English.
  • Nicole Johnson from Moline, IL, a senior majoring in teaching English.
  • Kayla Papish from East Moline, IL, a senior majoring in teaching math and math.
19 Jul 2010

Coal Valley Student named to Dean's List

By readMedia

New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, recently named 1,901 undergraduate students to the Dean's List for the Spring semester of 2010.

Among those awarded is Anup Parikh of Coal Valley, IL.  Anup is pursing a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology.

12 Jul 2010

East Moline native wraps up stellar academic, athletic career at North Central College

By Ted Slowik

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (July 8, 2010)? Alex Knobloch of East Moline made the most of his experience at North Central College, excelling in both academics and athletics.

Among other honors, the Alleman High School graduate and son of Craig and Barb Knobloch was named the College's 2010 Outstanding Major in Biology and the 2010 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Man of the Year, an award that recognizes the conference's top male student-athlete.

After he wraps up officer training at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama this summer, Knobloch will attend the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD, where he'll pursue a medical degree through the Air Force.  He ultimately hopes to become a doctor and practice family medicine as a primary care physician.

At North Central, Knobloch participated in the Summer Research Program, which offers biology students the opportunity to conduct field study at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium or in local forest preserves, among other locations. He presented his findings at the College's 2010 Rall Symposium for Undergraduate Research about his research synthesizing a salamander's DNA and isolating a novel protein with the goal of identifying an amino acid sequence.

"My experience conducting research at North Central was fantastic," he says. "It provided me the opportunity to gain an appreciation for the research process as a whole that will last the rest of my life.  Working even more closely with faculty in their roles as research advisors and becoming a part of and contributing to a science department culture that is really flourishing were two aspects of the experience for which I am grateful."

In addition to graduating with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average, Knobloch was a member of the travel squad as an alternate for North Central's 2009 national championship-winning cross country team. He was a conference champion in the distance medley relay at the 2010 CCIW Indoor Track & Field Championships.

He received a North Central College Presidential Scholarship, was a CCIW Academic All-Conference member in each of his four seasons and earned North Central's Scholar-Athlete Award each of his four years for having the highest grade point average among all athletes in his respective class. He earned membership to the Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society (Gamma Nu Chapter) and the Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society (Illinois Mu Chapter).

Knobloch also earned North Central's Etheldred L. Schafer Pre-Medical Scholarship for two years and was active in the community, taking part in the Circle K Service Club and serving on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). He was selected to join the Blue Key Honor Society and was treasurer of the Tri-Beta Biological Honor Society.

"The liberal arts education I've obtained here at North Central is a key draw for me," he says. "I've been able to not only obtain the foundational training in biology and the other sciences needed for my medical career, but I've also been able to pursue my love of competitive running on the cross country and track teams and play with the college's pep band, utilizing these opportunities to develop myself in a variety of facets.

Founded in 1861, North Central College is an independent, comprehensive college of the liberal arts and sciences that offers more than 55 undergraduate majors and graduate programming in six areas. Located in Naperville, Ill., North Central is recognized as one of "America's Best Colleges" by U.S. News & World Report, which cites it as one of the top six schools in the Midwest for "Strong Commitment to Undergraduate Teaching"; as "a college for high-achieving students" by Peterson's Competitive Colleges; and as one of "America's Best Colleges" by Forbes. For more information about North Central College visit www.northcentralcollege.edu.

?30?

08 Jul 2010

Free Teacher workshops provided for local teachers in July on German Immigrant Experience

By Kathryn Seyfarth

DAVENPORT, IOWA (July 6, 2010) The German American Heritage Museum will be offering free workshops to local teachers featuring curriculum material and resources, as well as a traveling trunk option. The first workshop will be held on Tuesday July 13th from 1-3 pm or 6-8 pm at the German American Heritage Center located on 2nd street at the end of the Centennial Bridge in Davenport IA. Additional sessions will be held on July 20th and 27th from 1-3 pm or 6-8 pm. These workshops are free of charge to teachers and refreshments will be provided.

During the workshop, teachers will take a tour of the third floor exhibit, move up to the fourth floor and receive packets for curriculum to take back to their classrooms for the upcoming school year. These packets will include : information about German Immigration to the Quad Cities, various activities and ideas for assignments in all subject areas. Different curriculum materials will be provided for 4th to 6th grade, 7th to 8th grade and 9th to 12th grade.

For more information on the workshop contact M-Hogg@ wiu.edu or visit www.gahc.org For more information on the museum's exhibits, programs, events, classes, and workshops, visit www.gahc.org or call 563-322-8844. General Admissions is: Adults: $5; Seniors: $4; Children (5-17 years old): $3; Free for children under 5. Museums members are free. Hours are Tuesdays through Saturday open 10 am- 4 pm; Sunday open 12 pm- 4 pm.

-END-

Pages

Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts

On Stands Now

 

Tagged Content

    

Two Ways to Subscribe

1. Subscribe to free weekly e-mail content updates.

You'll get both the current official narrative challenge and What's Happenin' in the Quad Cities.
(Did you know we publish a new Real Astrology and RCR Crossword every week?) 

Subscribe!

* indicates required

2. Get 12 monthly issues mailed first class for $48

Get 12 issues mailed monthly for $48 per year.

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Subscribe now.