Employers across the Nation Nominated for Superior Support to

Guard and Reservist Employees

ARLINGTON, Va. -­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ 24 Iowa Guard and Reserve service members nominated their employers for the 2010 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their outstanding support of their employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve. The Freedom Award is particularly significant because only members of the Guard and Reserve or their family members are eligible to nominate their employers for the award.

See below for a list of Iowa employers nominated for the Freedom Award, or visit www.FreedomAward.mil.

Nearly 2,500 Guard and Reserve service members, or their families, from across the country nominated their employers for outstanding support.  Nominated employers, ranging from small to large businesses and public sector employers, demonstrated support by providing continued benefits, differential pay, and family assistance.  A national selection board comprised of senior defense officials and business leaders will select up to 15 recipients for the 2010 award.  The Department of Defense will announce the 2010 Freedom Award recipients this summer.  Recipients will be presented the Freedom Award at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on September 23, 2010.  

About ESGR & the Freedom Award

The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award was instituted in 1996 under the auspices of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). ESGR is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972 whose mission is to gain and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve Service by recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of the law and resolving conflict through mediation.  Since 1996, only 130 companies have been presented with the prestigious Freedom Award. Previous honorees include Microsoft, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Sears, Home Depot, the State of Delaware, the Santa Ana, California Police Department and the family owned farm Augustine & Sons in Rose Hill, Iowa.  For more information, please visit www.FreedomAward.mil

 

The following employers were nominated for the Freedom Award:

Pizza Ranch

Ames

Mary Greeley Medical Center

Ames

John Deere Des Moines Works

Ankeny

Des Moines Area Community College

Ankeny

Poet Biorefining Ashton

Ashton

Bemis Clysar

Camanche

Mercy Medical Center

Cedar Rapids

Rockwell Collins Inc.

Cedar Rapids

Adams County Sheriff's Office

Corning

Polk County Sheriff's Office

Des Moines

Hy-Vee Weitz Construction LLC

Des Moines

Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals

Des Moines

IBM

Dubuque

University Of Dubuque

Dubuque

GKN Armstrong Wheels

Estherville

Decker Truck Line

Fort Dodge

Wells Fargo

Fort Dodge

Poweshiek County Sheriff's Office

Montezuma

Mt. Pleasant Correctional Facility

Mt. Pleasant

Menards Distribution Center

Shelby

Mercy Medical Center Sioux City

Sioux City

West Des Moines Police Department

West Des Moines

 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a reward of $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) who recently shot an immature bald eagle near Good Hope, Ill.

 

On Feb. 10, 2010, an injured immature bald eagle was discovered near the intersection East 1100th Street and North 2000th Road in Good Hope. The eagle was transferred to Treehouse Wildlife Center in Brighton, Ill., for emergency care and rehabilitation. Examination of the eagle revealed it had been shot and sustained a fractured wing and other injuries.

 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact either Special Agent Jason Bak with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Springfield at (217) 793-9554 or call the Illinois Department of Natural Resources T.I.P.S. Hotline at (800) 236-7529. Callers may remain anonymous

 

Even though bald eagles are no longer listed under the Endangered Species Act, bald eagles are still federally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Maximum fines under theses acts are $15,000 and $100,000 respectively with possible imprisonment up to one year.

 

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov

- FWS -

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has awarded a $640,862 formula grant to Iowa through the State and Community Highway Safety Grant Program.

"This money will help improve safety on Iowa highways," Grassley said.

The State and Community Highway Safety Grant Program supports state highway safety programs designed to reduce traffic crashes and resulting deaths, injuries, and property damage.

-30-

GeorgiaWyoming

WASHINGTON, February 18, 2010 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the selection of community based organizations in 18 states to receive funding to promote economic growth. USDA Rural Development Rural Housing Administrator Tammy Trevino made the announcement on Vilsack's behalf while attending an event with Senator Blanche Lincoln at the Arkansas Studies Institute in Little Rock. The organizations will receive more than $6.5 million in total grants to support rural economic development efforts.

"These funds support USDA's partnership with rural America to bring increased economic opportunity to rural citizens and communities," Vilsack said. "They will serve as investments that will help organizations build the capacity and expertise of local nonprofit groups."

For example, in Little Rock, Ark., Winrock International was selected to receive a $251,706 grant to help local groups establish economic development projects, and deliver services including energy audits, teach sustainable business practices and management.

In Bozeman, Mont., Rural Community Innovations, d/b/a National Enterprise, was selected to receive a $251,706 grant to develop a program that provides technical assistance to two non-profit tribal entities and three federally recognized tribes.  Rural Community Innovations will help organizations develop community facilities and housing for low-income and elderly residents along with at-risk and homeless youth in rural communities.

Land-of-Sky Regional Council, in Asheville, N.C., was selected to receive a $50,700 grant to provide technical assistance to help local organizations deliver housing assistance services. Training and technical assistance efforts involve financial planning and management; strategic planning; personnel selection; and sustainability.

The funding announced today is being provided through USDA Rural Development's Rural Community Development Initiative Program which helps community based development organizations, federally recognized Indian tribes and other groups promote economic growth in low-income, rural communities. Recipients are required to obtain matching funds, increasing the value of the grants. The grants are awarded to public or nonprofit intermediary organizations. The funds are then provided to recipients, which must be located in eligible rural areas. Funding of individual recipients is contingent upon their meeting the conditions of the grant agreement. The grant awards announced today are not provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The list of the RCDI grant recipients includes the following:

Iowa
  • Iowa League of RC &Ds: $251,706

Minnesota

  • Corporation for Supportive Housing: $200,000
  • Greater Minnesota Housing Fund: $251,706
  • Minnesota Home Ownership Center: $251,706
  • Initiative Foundation: $251,706

USDA Rural Development administers and manages more than 40 housing, business, and community infrastructure and facilities programs.  These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. Rural Development has an existing portfolio of more than $127 billion in loans and loan guarantees.

###

$100 Million for CREATE Program; Investment to Create 1,087 Jobs
CHICAGO- February 17, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn announced today that the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) along with the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) Program partners has received a $100 million TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). This federal investment is expected to create 1,087 jobs.
"Illinois has received the most TIGER funding in the Midwest. This investment will create 1,087 jobs and bring economic growth to our communities," said Governor Quinn. "With this grant and dedicated partnerships like CREATE, Illinois continues to work to ensure our rail industry is moving forward and our state remains one of the nation's major rail hubs."
Across the nation, 1,400 applications were submitted for TIGER Grant funding and 50 projects were awarded. Here in Illinois, three applications were awarded totaling $128 million. The funds include $100 million for CREATE, $6 million for Tri-City Port District in Granite City and $22 million for the Normal Multi-modal transportation facility.
"Throughout the country, we have huge bottlenecks that restrict the flow of freight and passengers at a cost to the United States of an estimated $200 billion a year," said U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL). "The TIGER grant program is a coordinated, comprehensive effort to identify and fund nationally significant transportation projects that will improve safety, spur economic development, reduce congestion and create thousands of good paying jobs across the country. I thank Secretary LaHood and Governor Quinn for their leadership on this issue and commend local leaders throughout Illinois for their efforts."
"These federal funds will have a tremendous impact on Illinois' economy by creating more jobs," said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. "This is another major step in the right direction to improve livability, sustainability and safety across the state."
The grant funding will be targeted to six projects benefiting 13 Illinois communities. The projects will range in scope from rail line and viaduct improvements to a highway-rail grade separation. The completion of these projects by 2012 will support an estimated 1,087 jobs.
CREATE is a first-of-its-kind partnership, bringing together IDOT, the Chicago Department of Transportation and the Association of American Railroads (AAR). It is comprised of 71 critically needed rail and highway infrastructure improvements in Northeastern Illinois, aimed at improving the quality of life of Illinois residents, and increasing the efficiency of freight and passenger rail service throughout the region.
For more information, log onto www.recovery.illinois.gov or www.createprogram.org.
###
Guaranteed Loans Provided Through Recovery Act Funds Help Local Businesses and Supports the Nation's Renewable Energy Strategy

WASHINGTON, February 16, 2010 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced $144 million in loan guarantees to assist 54 rural businesses through funding made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  The funding is authorized through USDA Rural Development's Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program. The program received $1.57 billion through the Act to help rural businesses stimulate economic development.

"A number of the Recovery Act projects announced today support the President's comprehensive energy strategy announced earlier this month," said Vilsack. "Advancing biomass and biofuel production holds the potential to create green jobs, which is one of the many ways the Obama Administration and USDA are working to rebuild and revitalize rural America."

For example, in Hilo, Hawaii, Big Island Biodiesel, LLC, has been selected to receive a $5,000,000 loan guarantee through First Hawaiian Bank in Kahului to construct a $10 million, 2.64 million gallon per year biodiesel production plant in Keaau.  The feedstock for this biodiesel plant will primarily be used cooking oil, and potentially jatropha and algae.  More than one million gallons of used cooking oil and grease-trap oil will be diverted from Maui, Oahu, and Hawaii County landfills to produce the biodiesel. Hawaii has established an Alternative Fuel Standard (AFS) with the goal of providing 10 percent of highway fuel demand from alternate fuels by 2010, 15 percent by 2015, and 20 percent by 2020.

In Athol Massachusetts, Organic Renaissance, LLC, has been selected to receive a $450,000 loan guarantee to facilitate the provision of fresh, locally grown farm products to restaurants, retailers and other buyers.  The company intends to lease a building that is centrally located between Boston and farmers located in Mass., southern N.H., southern Vt., and northern Conn. The intent is to reduce shipping costs and enable cost-effective distribution of farm fresh produce by local rural businesses. The guaranteed loan will help to reduce costs and create opportunities for employment in a rural area as well as support the production of agricultural food products.

Eligible applicants for USDA Rural Development's Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program include private businesses, cooperative organizations, corporations, partnerships, non-profit groups, Federally recognized Indian tribes, public bodies and individuals. The funds are targeted to create and retain quality jobs and serve difficult-to-reach populations and areas hardest hit by the current economic downturn.

More information about USDA's Recovery Act efforts is available at www.usda.gov/recovery. More information about the Federal Government's efforts on the Recovery Act is available at www.recovery.gov.

A list of borrowers receiving loan awards is below.  Funding is contingent upon borrowers meeting conditions in the loan agreement.

Alabama
Conversion Technologies, LLC: $3,730,000

Arizona
SpeedSmart 112, Inc.: $6,399,393

California
Kenneth & Sharon Foster, Roger & Vicki Webb, Eel River Fuels, Inc.: $2,239,600

Florida
Blooming Acres: $1,500,000
Dreamland Limited: $1,500,000

Georgia
Alexander Printing Company, Inc.: $583,000
JVH&J International, LLC: $2,123,000
Moultrie Healthcare Properties, LLC: $10,000,000
Southside Plaza Developers, Inc., Dixie Discount, Curbert, Inc., and Barry T. Buchholz: $1,675,000

Guam
Quick Service Foods, Inc.: $500,000

Hawaii
Big Island Biodiesel, LLC: $5,000,000

Iowa
Northern IA Die Casting: $1,452,379
Schoon Construction, Inc., and Leroy & Judith Schoon: $3,325,000

Idaho
Valley Air Photos LLC: $1,415,536
Bosski, Inc., Thunder Mountain Properties LLC, and John and Collette Boguslawski: $450,000
True Value Hardware: $735,000

Illinois
Carri Scharf Materials: $5,000,000

Indiana
Montgomery-Besaw Leasing, LLC: $2,584,000

Louisiana
New Century Fabricators, Inc.: $3,525,000

Maine
A&J Industries, Inc.: $1,300,000

Massachusetts
Organic Renaissance, LLA: $450,000

Michigan
Vista Grand Villa: $3,000,000
CRB Real Estate: $1,356,328
PMU-LADD: $360,000

Minnesota
Kay's Processing: $700,000
Anderson Seed Co. Inc: $975,000

Missouri
Good Time Rentals, LLC: $205,000
Missouri Forge Inc.: $5,928,000
Cycle Connection, Inc.: $817,000

New Hampshire
Monadnock Economic Development Corporation: $6,377,920

Nevada
A.C.E., LLC: $350,000
T & N Properties, LLC and Leading Technology Development, LLC: $518,000

New York
Bestway NY/HDK/Builder's Best: $3,100,000
Bestway PA/Bestway South/ Bestway NE: $9,900,000

North Carolina
Orange Charter School: $700,000
Bendel Group LLC: $672,000

North Dakota
Minot Hospitality Partners, LLC: $5,000,000
Medora Environmental, Inc.: $3,000,000
RediFlame Inc.: $850,000

Oklahoma
Gallium Compounds, LLC: $2,650,000

Oregon
Oregon, Select Onion Company, LLC; et al.: $4,500,000
Oregon, RAM Trucking, Inc.; et al.: $450,000
Fiesta Foods of Oregon, Inc.: $6,900,000
Thatchers Hardware, Inc. and SDDZ, LLC: $712,683

Pennsylvania
Adonai Holdings, Inc.: $2,700,000

South Carolina
Ashlan Properties, LLC (Arby's Restaurant): $1,278,812
Industrial Management Services, Inc.: $2,600,000

Tennessee
Tennessee Materials Corporation, Inc.: $5,530,500
SomerOak Senior Living, LLC:  $3,300,000
Van Ayers Long Term Facility: $3,718,900

Texas
Frazier & Frazier Industries, Inc.: $7,242,400

Virginia
James River Car Wash, LLC: $285,000
Montgomery Restaurant Corp. and El Laurel, LLC: $1,360,000

Washington
Peninsula Plywood Group, LLC: $ 1,899,270

USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development fosters growth in homeownership, finances business development, and supports the creation of critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA Rural Development's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.

###

On Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 5:30pm, Mayor Duane Dawson read a proclamation declaring Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at "Milan Spay Day."

The simple objective is to encourage not only Milan residents, but also residents of the Quad Cities and surrounding area, to take responsibility for their pets by having them spayed or neutered.  Pets who are spayed or neutered are healthier and do not add to the heartbreaking tragedy of the pet overpopulation.  A spay or neuter surgery carries a one-time cost that is relatively small when you consider the benefits.  Your pet will live a longer and healthier life.

To mark this important date, the Quad City Animal Welfare Center will offer $5.00 cat spays and neuters to twenty-four Milan residents, made possible with the support of the Village of Milan.  Appointments wil be scheduled for Tuesday, February 16th and Tuesday, February 23rd.  To schedule a $5.00 cat spay or neuter, please contact the Quad City Animal Welfare Center low cost high quality clinic at 309-787-6830, ext. 26 and mention "Milan Spay Day."  Pet guardians who are not eligible for the program described above may take advantage of the low cost, high quality spay and neuter program by calling 309-7887-6830, ext 26.

The Quad City Animal Welfare Center is the only full service no-kill animal shelter located in the Quad Cities..  Our mission is a shelter for homeless animals, to support spay and neuter programs and to provide humane education.  QCAWC Adoption Center is open Monday-Saturday from 12:00pm until 5:00pm with extended hours on Wednesday until 6:00pm and closed on Sundays.  Our Low Cost, High Quality Vaccination Clinic is open every Wednesday at 1:00pm and the first Saturday of every month at 10:00am with no appointment necessary.  QCAWC is located at 724 West 2nd Ave, Milan.  Visit our website at www.qcawc.org.

Senator Encourages Iowans to Tune-in, Ask Questions

WASHINGTON - Senator Chuck Grassley today announced that his monthly call-in show will air live on Wednesday, February 24, from 6:30-7 p.m. (Central Time) on television stations across Iowa.

"Ask Your Senator" will be broadcast from Washington, D.C. and can be seen live in communities served by Mediacom throughout Iowa. The program also airs live in Spencer on channels 22 & 3 and in Sioux City on channel 10.

"This program provides for the two-way dialogue required by our system of representative government," Grassley said. "I hope Iowans will tune in and participate."

Grassley said that it's important to hear from constituents to answer questions or address concerns they may have.

•   Iowans can ask questions during the show by calling 800/736-8255.
•   Questions also can be sent to Grassley using Twitter. Simply add @ChuckGrassley to
your twitter message and include your name and location in Iowa.

Grassley also provides taped versions of the show to local cable access channels that aren't able to air the program live. To receive a copy of the program, local cable access providers should contact Grassley's office.

"Ask Your Senator: A Live Town Meeting" will air on the following channels:

Channel 5
Britt, Charles City, Clear Lake, Cresco, Duncan, Elma, Forest City, Garner, Kensett, Leland, Lime Springs, Manly, Mason City, Northwood, Osage, Ventura

Channel 14
Hampton, Rockwell, Sheffield

Channel 22
Ackley, Adel, Agency, Albia, Algona, Alta, Altoona, Amana, Ames, Anamosa, Ankeny, Aplington, Appanoose, Arnolds Park, Asbury, Atalissa, Atlantic, Audubon, Avoca, Bancroft, Barnum, Beacon, Beaman, Bedford, Belle Plaine, Belmond, Bertram, Bettendorf, Bloomfield, Blue Grass, Bondurant, Boone, Booneville, Buena Vista, Buffalo, Buffalo-Center, Burlington, Burt, Bussey, Calhoun, Calmar, Camanche, Carlisle, Carroll, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Centerville, Chariton, Charlotte, Cherokee, Clarinda, Clarion, Clayton, Clinton, Clive, Colfax, Columbus City, Columbus Junction, Conrad, Coralville, Corning, Corydon, Creston, Dakota City, Dallas Center, Dallas, Danville, Davenport, De Soto, Decatur City, Decorah, Deleware City, Denison, Denver, Des Moines, Dewar, Dewitt, Dexter, Dike, Dubuque, Durant, Dyersville, Dysart, Eagle Grove, Earlham, Eddyville, Edgewood, Eldon, Eldora, Eldridge, Elgin, Elk Run Heights, Elkader, Emmetsburg, Epworth, Essex, Estherville, Evansdale, Fairbank, Fairfax, Fairfield, Farley, Fayette, Fort Dodge, Fort Madison, Fredericksburg, Fredonia, Ft. Atkinson, Garnavillo, Garwin, Gilbertville, Gilmore City, Gladbrook, Glenwood, Glidden, Goose Lake, Granger, Green Mountain, Greenfield, Grimes, Grinnell, Grundy Center, Guttenberg, Hamilton, Hardin, Harlan, Harper's Ferry, Harris, Hartford, Hazleton, Hiawatha, Hills, Hudson, Humboldt, Huxley, Independence, Indianola, Iowa Army Munitions, Iowa City, Iowa Falls, Janesville, Johnson, Johnston, Kalona, Kellerton, Keokuk, Keota, Knoxville, Kossuth, Lake City, Lake Park, Lakeside, Lambs Grove, Lamoni, Lansing, Laporte, Laurens, Le Claire, Le Grand, Leon, Lisbon, Lone Tree, Long Grove, Lovilia, Low Moor, Lynnville, Madrid, Manchester, Manson, Maquoketa, Marengo, Marion, Marquette, Marshalltown, Maynard, McCausland, McGregor, Melcher, Middletown, Miles, Mills County, Mitchellville, Monroe, Monticello, Montrose, Morning Sun, Mount Joy, Mt. Ayr, Mt. Pleasant, Mt. Vernon, Nevada, New Albin, New Hampton, New Hartford, New London, New Sharon, Newhall, Newton, North English, North Liberty, Norwalk, Norway, Oelwein, Okaboji, Orleans, Osceola, Oskaloosa, Ossian, Ottumwa, Oxford Junction, Oxford, Panorama Park, Park View, Parkersburg, Pella, Perry, Pleasant Hill, Pleasant Valley, Pleasantville, Pocahontas, Polk City, Prairie City, Preston, Princeton, Randall, Raymond, Red Oak, Redfield, Reinbeck, Riverdale, Riverside, Rockwell City, Sabula, Sac City, Sageville, Sheldahl, Shell Rock, Shenandoah, Shueyville, Sigourney, Slater, Solon, Spillville, Spirit Lake, Storm Lake, Story City, Strawberry Point, Stuart, Sully, Sumner, Swea City, Swisher, Tama, Tiffin, Tipton, Toddville, Toledo, Traer, University Heights, University Park, Urbandale, Van Meter, Villisca, Vinton, West Okaboji, Wahpeton, Walcott, Washburn, Washington, Waterloo, Waukee, Waukon Junction, Waukon, Waverly, Wellman, West Branch, West Burlington, West Des Moines, West Liberty, West Point, West Union, Westwood, What Cheer, Williamsburg, Windsor Heights, Winterset, Woodburn, Woodward
Press Conference Announcement
Who: Mayor Dennis Pauley and Police Chief John Wright to speak
What: Details on the 2009 crime statistics will be released. Learn how 2009 compares to previous years.
When: Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 2 p.m.
Where: City Council Chambers, City Hall, 1528 Third Avenue, Rock Island
Why: Part I Crime decreased 12% from 2008 to 2009. Part I Crimes and Part I Violent Crimes have substantially decreased since the 1990s.

Rock Island, Ill. -Dr. Jeff Abernathy, vice president of academic affairs and dean of Augustana College, has accepted a new position as President of Alma College in Alma, Michigan. His appointment will begin Ju1y 1, 2010.

"I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to lead Alma at this remarkable moment for higher education," said Abernathy. "The Alma vision for liberal education has engaged students from across the country since the nineteenth century, and it is a great honor to be called to their presidency."

Abernathy has served as vice president and professor in the English department at Augustana since 2004. He led the development of a new consortium of colleges, the Midwest Alliance for Learning in the Liberal Arts, which includes Alma, Augustana and five other Phi Beta Kappa liberal arts colleges across the Midwest. Abernathy's work on the academic component of the college's strategic plan, Authentically Augustana: A Plan for a Premier Liberal Arts College, led to accomplishments including:

· hiring five dozen new faculty as the size of the full-time faculty grew by 26 percent;

· implementing Senior Inquiry, a capstone project which students in nearly all majors create and complete in partnership with a faculty mentor;

· partnering with colleagues to develop Augie Choice, an innovative new program supporting experiential learning opportunities?such as international study, collaborative research and internships?for all students.

"I am very grateful to Jeff for his leadership at Augustana College, especially demonstrated by working with faculty to improve the learning experiences of our students," said Augustana College President Steve Bahls. "This has served to advance Augustana's standing as a national liberal arts college, and Jeff's selection as president of a selective college like Alma is a gratifying sign that colleges around the country are recognizing Augustana's strengths."

A native of Richmond, Virginia, Abernathy graduated from Longwood College in 1985. He earned the Ph.D. in American literature from the University of Florida. Before coming to Augustana, he served as vice president of academic affairs and dean of West Virginia Wesleyan College, and as a faculty member in English and associate dean at Illinois College. He also serves as a higher education expert through local and national media, including writing a column on academic issues for The Chronicle of Higher Education.

Abernathy is married to Rebecca Wee, a poet and associate professor of English at Augustana. They are the parents of a six-year-old son, Rohan, and 18-month-old daughter, Maren.

For additional information or questions, contact Kamy Beattie, director of public relations at kamybeattie@augustana.edu or (309) 794-7721.

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.

            • -end-

Pages