Et Cetera

Brian Voss of Atkins, IA has been honored by the Iowa State University Educator Preparation Program for achieving the rank of a professional educator. Voss, who studied , was one of 191 Iowa State University graduates who were bestowed with academic cords of light blue, the traditional color worn by those in the field of education receiving bachelor's degrees, in a ceremony on Friday, May 6, 2016 in Stephen's Auditorium in Ames.

Central College student Caitlyn Conway of Blairstown has been elected for 2016-17 Student Senate. Founded in 1853, Central College of Pella, Iowa, is a private, residential four-year liberal arts college known for its academic rigor and strength in global experiential learning, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), sustainability education, athletics success and tradition, and leadership and service.

The University of Dubuque held its 164th Commencement Ceremonies on Saturday, May 14, in the Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center as well as Heritage Center's John and Alice Butler Hall on the UD campus. Degrees were conferred upon 413 undergraduate, graduate, and seminary students. Dr. Marta Abele, MEd, PhD, professor of education and director of the Bridge Program at UD, delivered the Commencement address, titled "It's All in the Name.

The University of Dubuque held its 164th Commencement Ceremonies on Saturday, May 14, in the Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center as well as Heritage Center's John and Alice Butler Hall on the UD campus. Degrees were conferred upon 413 undergraduate, graduate, and seminary students. Dr. Marta Abele, MEd, PhD, professor of education and director of the Bridge Program at UD, delivered the Commencement address, titled "It's All in the Name.

Creighton University conferred more than 1,700 degrees during its two 2016 Commencement ceremonies on May 14. Area graduates include Jacqueline Hilmer of Walker and Mary Aubrey of Urbana. Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, enrolls 4,000 undergraduates and 4,000 graduate and professional students among nine schools and colleges. No other university its size offers students such a comprehensive academic environment with personal attention from faculty-mentors.

By: Naval Service Training Command Public Affairs Atkins, Iowa native and Iowa State University Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) Midshipman McKinley Spalding is participating in annual training this summer. Spalding is the son of Carolyn and Robert Spalding, of Atkins. The NROTC summer training includes Career Orientation and Training for Midshipmen (CORTRAMID) for third class midshipmen and Atlantic/Pacific Training of Midshipmen (LANTRAMID/PACTRAMID) for second and first class midshipmen.

The Vinton Garden Club member of National Garden Clubs, Inc., District II and Central Region met 12:30pm, Aprl 27 at Vinton Public Library with Bristol Gibson as hostess.  The program “Soaring with the Eagles” speaker, Karen Phelps, Benton County Naturalist, presented a very interesting program. President Fran Stueck called the meeting to order at 1:30pm.

The following individuals graduated from the Iowa School Business Management Academy at Iowa State University in Ames on April 29, 2016:  John Berg - Mason City Community Schools Tim Blum - Council Bluffs Community Schools Mary Bogaard - Pella Community School District Crystal Coder - Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District       Tina Cooper - Allamakee Community School District Jennifer Dunn - Riceville Comm School Joel Etienne - Des Moines Public Schools Clint Farlinger - Howard-Winneshiek CSD Heng Fongkhamdeng - Heartland AEA 11 Cynthia Gingerich - Williamsburg Community School District            Kelli Gray - Woodbine Community Schools Kirsten Heard - Fremont-Mills Community Schools Lori Hoven - Boyden-Hull CSD Angie Klinkkammer - West Branch Community Schools Dale Kreher - Lewis Central Public School Robyn Lane - Howard-Winneshiek CSD Nick Lenhardt - Des Moines Public Schools Robin Leonard - Cardinal CSD Megan Liebe - North Linn CSD Song Luong - Des Moines Public School Laura Marshall - Greene County CSD Rhonda Oliphant - Missouri Valley Comm.

We would like to announce that Eastern Iowa Honor Flight #24 will depart Wednesday, May 18th, 2016 from Cedar Rapids to Washington, DC, with another group of Iowa Veterans.   This flight is sponsored by Quaker, a longtime supporter of the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight.   There are 86 Veterans on this flight.   WWII                        7 Korea                      55 Vietnam Era            23 Persian Gulf              1   Veterans will begin checking in at 5:10 AM, with a scheduled departure of 6:30 AM.

2016 Vinton-Shellsburg High School senior Emily Howes-Vonstein is one of the students whom Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has honored for academic achievement. Emily and the ohter students were honored May 1 in Des Moines. The statewide program, sponsored by the Iowa Governor's Office, Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and its title sponsor the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), honored 432 high school seniors from across Iowa.