Et Cetera

By: Novastarr Nelson AmeriCorps NCCC’s (National Civilian Community Corps) Oak 3 and Cedar 6 worked with Stars of HOPE in Minot, North Dakota this past weekend, preparing for a Celebration of HOPE event to be held on June 22. Last year, Minot accepted the first Star of HOPE from Joplin, Missouri after experiencing a devastating flood that damaged or destroyed thousands of homes.

Luther College held commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2013 at 10 a.m. Sunday, May 19 in Luther College's Regents Center Main Gym. Addy Rickels of Vinton, Iowa, received the bachelor of arts degree in biology cum laude. Audrey Tran Lam of Vinton, Iowa, received the bachelor of arts degree in sociology and environmental studies magna cum laude.

Upper Iowa University is pleased to announce the names of its 2013 graduates, degree earned and respective honors. Taylor Brecht from Norway, IA, graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education Kyle Ransom from Van Horne, IA, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Conservation Mgmt Summa cum laude is awarded to those with a 3.

By: Tristen Shevey  The AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Corps) team, Maple 3, has been working with Habitat for Humanity of Mahoning County in Struthers, Ohio since May 2. The team is working with two houses in particular, one from the frame up and one rehabilitated home. There are a variety of tasks members are working on at each work site including placing roof boards, installing windows and doors, insulating the exterior and interior, putting up siding, and finishing a roof with shingles.

On Opening Day, August 8, the Iowa State Fair will host a one-day meal-packaging event in partnership with Meals from the Heartland, the Iowa Soybean Association, the Iowa Food and Family Project and GROWMARK. The Fair's goal is to package 250,000 meals to help alleviate life-threatening hunger around the world. The event is funded in part by the soybean check-off.

Jasmine Ulrich, from Waupaca, Wis., is a member of Oak 4 in NCCC’s Class 19. She arrived in Vinton on February 5, 2013, to start her 10-month service term on a team of people between the ages of 18 and 24. Oak 4 is made up of nine people from across the country, and they are serving together in a number of service projects across the North Central Region throughout their term.

Abigail Darland of Vinton, Iowa, has been awarded a Presidential scholarship from Dordt College as an incoming freshman.  Named to the best colleges lists of U.S. News & World Report, Princeton Review, Washington Monthly, and Forbes.com, Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa, has a friendly and vibrant community of approximately 1,400 students, most of whom live on campus.

Andrew Schanbacher, a senior biology major from Newhall, was recently honored at Buena Vista University's (BVU) student recognition event. Schanbacher was accepted as a member of the Undergraduate Rural Medicine Education & Development Program (URMED). The innovative program places students at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center and provides experiential learning opportunities throughout the academic year for BVU students pursuing careers in medicine and other health care professions.

Master quilter and Iowa native Patrick Lose will offer up his artistic expertise as an instructor in the Fabric and Threads Department at the 2013 Iowa State Fair. "Nothing Compares" to the Fair's daily offerings of Make It and Take It classes and displays of hundreds of creative quilts, clothing items and more. Lose's classes will offer Fairgoers a hands-on opportunity to create some of his most popular quilt designs.

The following students were recognized at Mount Mercy University Honors Convocation:   Lynn Tschiggfrie, Atkins, Kappa Xi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society of Nursing  Connie Havran, Norway, Kappa Xi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society of Nursing   Sarah Hill, Shellsburg, Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges  and   Lisa Stiles, of Vinton, Kappa Xi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society of Nursing   for outstanding achievement at Mount Mercy University during Honors Convocation this spring.