EVANSVILLE, IN (12/13/2011)(readMedia)-- The University of Evansville is proud to announce that Andrea Solomonson of Orion, IL, will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Solomonson, who majored in Management and Marketing, will graduate during UE's Winter Commencement ceremony, held December 14 in the Student Fitness Center. The University will award 80 degrees to 76 graduates during the ceremony.

"For more than 150 years, the University of Evansville has provided life-transforming educational experiences, preparing students for lives of personal and professional service and leadership," said UE President Thomas A. Kazee. "At Winter Commencement, we're delighted to celebrate the success of students such as Andrea Solomonson, and we look forward to watching this year's graduates accomplish amazing things as they engage the world as informed, ethical, and productive citizens."

On the web: http://readabout.me/achievements/Andrea-Solomonson-Graduates-from-University-of-Evansville/3156635.

National experts and state leaders will convene on Thursday, December 15th, at the Botanical Center in Des Moines to discuss policies and practices to increase third grade literacy and restore Iowa to educational leadership in this area.

Ralph Smith, Vice President of the Annie E. Casey Foundation and leader of the national Grade-Level Reading Campaign, Dr. Nell Duke, co-director of the Literacy Achievement Research Center (LARC) at Michigan State University and national expert of early elementary reading comprehensive, and Dr. Heather Weiss, head of the Harvard Family Research Project and national expert on family-school partnerships, will provide overviews of the current knowledge base on developing effective policies and practices to improve third grade literacy.  Each will lead break-out sessions to discuss Iowa opportunities to build a world-class early literacy system.  Iowa research, education, business, and advocacy leaders will join with state policy makers on panels and as forum participants in examining the Governor and Lieutenant Governor's Blueprint for Education Reform as it applies to third grade literacy.

The Child and Family Policy Center, United Way of Central Iowa, the Afterschool Alliance, and the Business/Education Alliance have joined as co-sponsors of the forum.

Space is limited and registration is available through contact with the Child and Family Policy Center.

Press Note:  The national speakers will be available at different times during the forum for interviews with members of the press.   Ralph Smith's keynote address will be from 9:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., with a state responder panel (Linda Fandel, Doug Gross, Teree Caldwell-Johnson, and Tom Urban), followed by plenary presentation from 11:30 to 12:30 by Dr. Nell Duke and Dr. Heather Weiss.

SCAD: The University for Creative Careers

The Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution conferring bachelor's and master's degrees at distinctive locations and online to prepare talented students for professional careers. SCAD offers degrees in more than 40 areas of study, as well as minors in nearly 60 disciplines in Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia; in Hong Kong; in Lacoste, France; and online through SCAD eLearning.

SCAD has more than 20,000 alumni and offers an exceptional education and unparalleled career preparation. The diverse student body, consisting of more than 11,000 students, comes from all 50 United States and more than 100 countries worldwide. Each student is nurtured and motivated by a faculty of more than 700 professors with extraordinary academic credentials and valuable professional experience. These professors emphasize learning through individual attention in an inspiring university environment. SCAD's innovative curriculum is enhanced by advanced, professional-level technology, equipment and learning resources and has garnered acclaim from respected organizations and publications, including 3D World, American Institute of Architects, BusinessWeek, DesignIntelligence, U.S. News & World Report and the Los Angeles Times.

For more information, visit scad.edu.

Register for a chance to win a College Savings Iowa account.

DES MOINES, IA (12/01/2011)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald is encouraging Iowans to ring in the New Year with College Savings Iowa. "One of the best things about opening a College Savings Iowa account is that you are helping a child prepare for his/her future and taking advantage of a generous in-state tax deduction at the same time," Fitzgerald said. "To help remind Iowans about the importance of saving for college, College Savings Iowa is giving away a $529 College Savings Iowa account." For more information and to enter the giveaway, please visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com.

College Savings Iowa offers families a tax advantaged way to save money for their children's higher education. It only takes $25 to open an account, and anyone - parents, grandparents, friends and relatives - can invest in College Savings Iowa on behalf of a child. Participants who are Iowa taxpayers can deduct contributions up to $2,865 per beneficiary account from their 2011 adjusted gross income.* Contributions must be submitted by December 31, 2011 to qualify for 2011 state deductions. If the contribution is being mailed, checks must be postmarked by December 31, 2011.

Investors in College Savings Iowa can withdraw their investment federally tax-free to pay for qualified higher education expenses including tuition, books, supplies and certain room and board costs at any eligible college, university, community college or accredited technical training school in the United States or abroad. To learn more about College Savings Iowa, please visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com or call 1-888-672-9116.

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

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Investment returns are not guaranteed and you could lose money by investing in the plan. Participants assume all investment risks as well as the responsibility for any federal and state tax consequences. If you are not an Iowa taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program.

For more information about the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan, call 888-672-9116 or visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com to obtain a Program Description. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are included in the Program Descriptions; read and consider it carefully before investing.