26 Feb 2013

Governor Quinn Announces Major Capital Investment in Illinois State University

By Ryan C. Woods

$54 Million Fine Arts Complex Will Create 775 Construction Jobs and Strengthen University's Renowned Arts Programs

NORMAL - February 21, 2013. Governor Pat Quinn today announced a $54 million capital investment to build a new fine arts complex that will strengthen Illinois State University's renowned arts programs and create 775 construction jobs. Funded through the governor's Illinois Jobs Now! capital program, the project is part of his commitment to creating jobs and growing the Illinois economy.

"This investment means Illinois State University will be able to build on its excellent reputation in the fine arts while creating hundreds of good jobs in Normal," Governor Quinn said. "Higher education is a powerful force for growth in Illinois. We all benefit when our universities have the facilities to engage and educate our young people, whether the field is art, accounting or engineering."

The Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program will provide $54.25 million for the Fine Arts Complex, starting with $7.5 million for design and planning. The project includes renovation of existing buildings and construction of new, state-of-the-art space for instruction and performance. It will create more than 775 construction and related jobs, and spending by those workers will support an additional 775 jobs in the community.

"We are extremely grateful to Governor Quinn for his perseverance in bringing this project to Illinois State," ISU President Al Bowman said. "The College of Fine Arts offers first-class programs with outstanding faculty, staff and students who deserve first-class facilities."

The new complex will replace or renovate three buildings: Centennial East, Centennial West (both constructed in 1959) and the Center for Visual Arts (constructed in 1973). The College of Fine Arts includes departments in art, music, theater, dance and arts technology. It serves more than 1,100 students with 160 faculty and staff members, and 40 fields of study.

The next step toward a new complex is hiring an architectural and engineering firm to design it with input from faculty, staff members and students in conjunction with the state's Capital Development Board.

"This project is a great example of what the Illinois Jobs Now! program can accomplish," Jim Underwood, the Capital Development Board's executive director said. "It will create good jobs while strengthening Illinois State University. With the leadership of Governor Quinn and the guidance of ISU administrators, we're going to build a complex that will benefit students for years to come."

Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! program includes $1.5 billion for higher education, including $788 million for public universities and $400 million for community colleges. The overall $31 billion program, which began in 2009, is expected to support an estimated 439,000 construction jobs over six years.

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26 Feb 2013

Bettendorf resident in the Spotlight at Mount Union College

By Mount Union

Courtney Wachal of Bettendorf, Iowa, is the current student in the spotlight at Mount Union College.  Ms. Wachal, a sophomore, is majoring in French and International Studies.

http://www.mountunion.edu/courtney-wachal

25 Feb 2013

Transplant Production Workshop Rescheduled for March 2

By Amanda Heitz
Due to the Winter Storm Advisory issued by the National Weather Service, the Vegetable Transplant Production Workshop scheduled for Feb. 22 at the Scott County Extension Office has been rescheduled. The workshop will now be Saturday, March 2 from 1 - 5:30 p.m. There is no change in the location; the rescheduled workshop will be held at the Scott County Extension Office, 875 Tanglefoot Lane, Bettendorf.

Those interested in attending and not registered for the event can register by going to http://transplantproduction.eventbrite.com/.

For more information about the workshop, contact Ajay Nair at nairajay@iastate.edu or 515-294-7080.

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22 Feb 2013

Branstad, Reynolds praise House action to make schools best in the nation

By Office of the Governor of Iowa

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today thanked House Republicans for spearheading the effort to make Iowa's schools best in the nation again. The governor and lieutenant governor also thanked the full House of Representatives for the overwhelming, bipartisan support of their effort to replace "allowable growth" with 100 percent state aid, which offers further protection to Iowa property taxpayers.

"This morning, the Iowa House passed an education reform plan that will set us on a path to again have the nation's best schools," said Gov. Branstad from an economic development trip in California. "This plan will give our teachers a new, 21st century system designed to reward their efforts and ensure great teaching in every classroom. Most importantly, this reform means our students will have the skills they need to compete with their peers across the globe."

The governor is pleased with the Senate's progress in offering meaningful reform as well.

"I want to commend Senate Democrats for their efforts, and the seriousness with which they are approaching educational reform," continued Branstad. "This is a significant effort, and I look forward to working with the Senate to continue our progress and sign this legislation into law this year."

Reynolds noted the broad support the legislation enjoys.

"I want to commend the House in passing this legislation, which shows legislators are serious about passing meaningful education reform that again makes Iowa a national leader," said Reynolds. "The broad, statewide support this reform enjoys is the result of years of input and consensus building. We now turn our attention to the Senate, and we will work with them to ensure our reform efforts move forward."

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22 Feb 2013

Branstad, Reynolds thank partners for supporting education reform

By Tim Albrecht

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today thanked the myriad Partners for Education Reform who have signed on with their proposal to make Iowa's schools the best in the nation. Branstad and Reynolds both understood the need for a broad, bipartisan effort when they released their proposal just last month.

"We have many good schools with committed educators, but they are stuck in a system designed for the 20th century, not the 21st century," Branstad said. "I am ready to invest significant resources into these educational reforms, which truly have the power to dramatically raise achievement. I want to thank these vital partners who will help us move education reform forward."

Reynolds highlighted the importance of enhancing the teaching profession as a whole.

"This is about strengthening the teaching profession for the benefit of both students and teachers," Reynolds said. "Teachers are the single most important influence on a child's success inside school, and educators are being asked to do much more to prepare students for our knowledge-driven economy. We must make sure new teachers are ready to rise to that challenge, while also providing more support for teachers already in the classroom. Our Partners for Education Reform understand this."

An electronic list of the Partners for Education Reform can be found HERE. The growing list is as follows:

Pioneer

Wellmark

3M

Principal Financial Group

Iowa Chamber Alliance

Greater Des Moines Partnership

Urban Education Network of Iowa

Iowa Biotechnology Association

Iowa Board of Regents

Deere & Company

Master Builders of Iowa

MidAmerican Energy Company

Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company

Monsanto Company

Iowa Board of Educational Examiners

Meredith Corporation

Alliant Energy Corporation

CenturyLink

Alliance Pipline, Inc.

Mechanical Contractors Association of Iowa

NECA, IA (NEC)

NextEra Energy

Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI)

Iowa Association of Realtors

StudentsFirst

Hy-Vee, Inc.

Iowa Engineering Society

American Council of Engineering Companies

Associated Builders and Contractors of Iowa

National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB/IA)

Professional Educators of Iowa

Siouxland Chamber

Iowa Department of Education

College Student Aid Commission

 

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21 Feb 2013

Jordan Catholic School Science Fair

By Janine Parr

Jordan Catholic School 7th & 8th Grade Science Fair Friday February 22nd, 4-6pm

Over 70 7th & 8th grade students will participate with more than 40 projects displayed. This first round of fair will take place at Jordan on Friday: • 10:00am - 12:30pm: Judging- judging teams are composed of engineers from John Deere, St. Ambrose and Augustana faculty and students, as well as science degreed professionals.


• 1:15pm to 2:50pm: Open to the Jordan student and faculty
• 4:00pm to 6:00pm: Open to the public

Students may earn an opportunity to compete in the regional tournament in March at Western
Illinois University, and then to the Illinois State Science Fair in May at University of Illinois.

21 Feb 2013

Samuel Kuznetsov Earns President's List Distinction

By Randy Stalsberg

KERRVILLE, TX (02/18/2013)(readMedia)-- Schreiner University of Kerrville has named Samuel Kuznetsov of Bettendorf, IA to its President's List. Kuznetsov, son of Alex and Danielle Kuznetsov was named to the roster of high-achieving students for the fall 2012 term.

To qualify for the President's List, full-time students must earn at least a 3.7 grade point average and have at least 12 hours credit for the term.

Schreiner University is an independent coeducational liberal arts university related by choice and covenant to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). For more information, visit our website at www.schreiner.edu or call the Office of Admission at 830-792-7217.

19 Feb 2013

Moline's Speech team got first in state!

By M. McNeil
encore.jpg
For the second time in two years Moline High School's Encore! acting troupe/speech team got first place in the Illinois High School Association State Finals held this weekend in Peoria for its PIR--Performance in the Round.  The name of the performace was "The Starcatcher".

Cast members include : Alejandro Raya , Christian Frieden , Clare Van Echaute , Jennie White , JJ Schrick , Josef Pautsch, Matthew Hayes, Micah SantAmor Bernas, Peter Condit, Sadie Buckles, Taylor Romeo

The award winning team will be performing this Friday at the MHS cafeteria at 7:30 pm.  The high school's "Dessert Theatre" will also showcase other acts--both sectional and state performers.
19 Feb 2013

Jacobs: Silvis school still waiting on money from the state after a decade

By Mary Shaw

SPRINGFIELD - After waiting through three governors and countless capitol bills, Silvis school still has not received the money first promised by former Gov. George Ryan.  The school found out this month from Governor Pat Quinn's administration that the money is again on hold.

Senator Mike Jacobs (D-Moline), who has continued to fight for the school construction grant for Silvis, said today that enough-is-enough.

"Silvis school district originally applied for the school construction grant in 2002," Jacobs said.  "They have been strung along by the state for long enough. At a time when Quinn is providing funds for other construction projects across the state, it is time for the state to man up to its commitments and give Silvis the money promised over a decade ago."

Silvis applied for, and was awarded the school construction grant in 2002, but the funds were never received. Then, Gov. Rod Blagojevich visited Silvis in 2004 and held a press conference with a big fake check guaranteeing the district would receive the money. It didn't.

In 2009, the General Assembly passed a construction program that was supposed to make the Silvis a priority.

"I am tired of the run around," Jacobs said. "If the state was never going to live up to its promise of construction dollars, why approve the project and give the people of my district false hope. The state made an agreement, and needs to come through on that agreement now."

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15 Feb 2013

Area Residents Named to Dean's List at Olivet

By Laura Warfel

BOURBONNAIS, IL (02/15/2013)(readMedia)-- Olivet Nazarene University congratulates those students named to the dean's list during the recently completed fall 2012 semester. To qualify for inclusion on the dean's list, a student must have been enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student and must have attained a semester grade point average of 3.50 or higher on a 4.00 grading scale.

Local residents named to the list are:

Molly Anderson of Rock Falls

Emily Arnold of Prophetstown

Lydia Bilyeu of Fulton

Derek Delgado of Sterling

Liza Dollenbacher of Bettendorf

Miranda Geever of Moline

Jordan Hirl of Clinton

Kaitlin Loos of Sterling

Hannah Milby of Sterling

Nicholas Mizeur of Moline

Hannah Rowen of East Moline

Olivet Nazarene University is an accredited Christian, liberal arts university offering more than 100 areas of undergraduate and graduate study, including the Doctor of Education in ethical leadership. Olivet has one main campus in Bourbonnais, Ill. - just 50 miles south of Chicago; three sites: Rolling Meadows and Oak Brook, Ill., and Hong Kong; and more than 100 School of Graduate and Continuing Studies learning locations throughout Chicagoland and the Midwest. From Oxford to Tokyo, hundreds of Olivet students also experience the global classroom each year, whether through study abroad opportunities or worldwide mission trips.

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