• Bridgepoint Education, a higher-education company based in Poway, California, has announced that it is acquiring The Franciscan University of the Prairies of Clinton, Iowa. The agreement, which is expected to close by mid-March, has been approved by the university's board of trustees and Bridgepoint's board of directors. In conjunction with the transaction, the university's name will be changed to Ashford University. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. As part of the regulatory approval process, the Iowa College Student Aid Commission has ruled that Bridgepoint's acquisition of Franciscan is exempt from registration in the state because the institution will continue to be "located in Iowa," and that students would not qualify for the Iowa Tuition Grant program once Bridgepoint takes control. The university's agreement with Bridgepoint ensures that the main campus of the college will continue to be operated as it currently is. In addition, Bridgepoint does not anticipate any changes in course offerings, programs, or graduation dates. Bridgepoint does plan to expand the student body at the university's main campus over the next two years to make the institution more viable and offer a wider array of enrichment opportunities for students.
• The Iowa Senate Education Committee last week approved a bill to help improve college and workforce readiness for graduating seniors in Iowa. The legislation is aimed at helping Iowa's high-school students better prepare for postsecondary education and the workforce by increasing the number of students taking college-preparatory courses. According to the American College Testing Program, not enough high-school students across the nation are ready for either college or the workforce. While Iowa has one of the best-regarded education systems in the nation, many students face the same problem. Under the legislation approved by the committee last week, the State Board of Education would set a goal of having 80 percent of Iowa's graduating seniors successfully complete a core curriculum that includes a minimum number of courses to better prepare students for college.
• Trinity Medical Center's vascular laboratory, located at its West Campus in Rock Island, has attained national recognition by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories. The accreditation means that Trinity's vascular lab is one of a select number in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico to meet or exceed standards for providing a high level of patient care and quality testing for the diagnosis of vascular disease. Trinity's vascular lab is the only one in the area to achieve the accreditation.
• Poet Rebecca Wee will judge the 2005 entries for the 32nd Mississippi Valley Poetry Contest. Wee, who has received national honors for her poetry, is a professor of English at Augustana College. This is a reprise for Wee, who judged the contest in 2000. The entry deadline for the competition is April 1. The Mississippi Valley Poetry Contest features cash awards in 13 categories, with the grand-prize-winning poem earning $250. Entry fees help finance the not-for-profit contest. Poets interested in more information should send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Mississippi Valley Poetry Contest, P.O. Box 3188, Rock Island IL 61204.
• To fight the stigma and discrimination related to recovery from substance-abuse addiction, Iowans are encouraged to show their support through an effort called Sign Up + Stand Up 4 Recovery. By logging onto (http://www.recoveryiowa.org) or calling (866)242-4111, Iowans can register (anonymously if desired) their support for recovery. Individuals can sign up for regular electronic mailings, receive information, be given the opportunity to tell their story, locate area programs that might have recovery groups, and find regional or national news regarding recovery.
• River Action is taking orders for rain barrels through its Retain the Rain program, an initiative to conserve water and lower flood levels in local rivers and streams. These 60-gallon rain barrels are available to Quad Cities residents and businesses at a reduced price of $55; similar barrels retail for $125. To place an order for up to two barrels, send a check or money order for $55 per barrel to River Action, 822 E. River Dr., Davenport IA 52803. Orders are being taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Persons ordering barrels will be notified prior to the pick-up date with additional details. The barrels will be available for pickup on Saturday, March 26, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Moline Public Works Department, 3635 Fourth Avenue. For more informatio or to order, call River Action at (563)322-2969.
• U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) has announced that he is accepting applications for nomination to the United States' military academies for the class entering in the summer of 2006. Harkin will nominate up to 10 Iowans for every opening he has at the academies, with final selection for admission made by the individual academy. Students can specialize in a variety of fields at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, and the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point. Most of the state's high-school guidance counselors should have information about the application procedures prospective candidates must follow. The application period for the class entering in 2006 runs from March 1 until September 30. Harkin encourages all interested high-school students to contact their guidance counselor or write to his Cedar Rapids office to obtain an application packet. Questions regarding the academy program may be directed to Tom Larkin in Harkin's Cedar Rapids office. The address is 150 First Ave. N.E., Suite 370, Cedar Rapids IA 52401. The phone number is (319)365-4504.
• The Iowa Senate Education Committee last week approved a bill to help improve college and workforce readiness for graduating seniors in Iowa. The legislation is aimed at helping Iowa's high-school students better prepare for postsecondary education and the workforce by increasing the number of students taking college-preparatory courses. According to the American College Testing Program, not enough high-school students across the nation are ready for either college or the workforce. While Iowa has one of the best-regarded education systems in the nation, many students face the same problem. Under the legislation approved by the committee last week, the State Board of Education would set a goal of having 80 percent of Iowa's graduating seniors successfully complete a core curriculum that includes a minimum number of courses to better prepare students for college.
• Trinity Medical Center's vascular laboratory, located at its West Campus in Rock Island, has attained national recognition by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories. The accreditation means that Trinity's vascular lab is one of a select number in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico to meet or exceed standards for providing a high level of patient care and quality testing for the diagnosis of vascular disease. Trinity's vascular lab is the only one in the area to achieve the accreditation.
• Poet Rebecca Wee will judge the 2005 entries for the 32nd Mississippi Valley Poetry Contest. Wee, who has received national honors for her poetry, is a professor of English at Augustana College. This is a reprise for Wee, who judged the contest in 2000. The entry deadline for the competition is April 1. The Mississippi Valley Poetry Contest features cash awards in 13 categories, with the grand-prize-winning poem earning $250. Entry fees help finance the not-for-profit contest. Poets interested in more information should send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Mississippi Valley Poetry Contest, P.O. Box 3188, Rock Island IL 61204.
• To fight the stigma and discrimination related to recovery from substance-abuse addiction, Iowans are encouraged to show their support through an effort called Sign Up + Stand Up 4 Recovery. By logging onto (http://www.recoveryiowa.org) or calling (866)242-4111, Iowans can register (anonymously if desired) their support for recovery. Individuals can sign up for regular electronic mailings, receive information, be given the opportunity to tell their story, locate area programs that might have recovery groups, and find regional or national news regarding recovery.
• River Action is taking orders for rain barrels through its Retain the Rain program, an initiative to conserve water and lower flood levels in local rivers and streams. These 60-gallon rain barrels are available to Quad Cities residents and businesses at a reduced price of $55; similar barrels retail for $125. To place an order for up to two barrels, send a check or money order for $55 per barrel to River Action, 822 E. River Dr., Davenport IA 52803. Orders are being taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Persons ordering barrels will be notified prior to the pick-up date with additional details. The barrels will be available for pickup on Saturday, March 26, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Moline Public Works Department, 3635 Fourth Avenue. For more informatio or to order, call River Action at (563)322-2969.
• U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) has announced that he is accepting applications for nomination to the United States' military academies for the class entering in the summer of 2006. Harkin will nominate up to 10 Iowans for every opening he has at the academies, with final selection for admission made by the individual academy. Students can specialize in a variety of fields at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, and the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point. Most of the state's high-school guidance counselors should have information about the application procedures prospective candidates must follow. The application period for the class entering in 2006 runs from March 1 until September 30. Harkin encourages all interested high-school students to contact their guidance counselor or write to his Cedar Rapids office to obtain an application packet. Questions regarding the academy program may be directed to Tom Larkin in Harkin's Cedar Rapids office. The address is 150 First Ave. N.E., Suite 370, Cedar Rapids IA 52401. The phone number is (319)365-4504.
