Et Cetera

Yesterday, Governor Kim Reynolds announced during her Condition of the State address a new $15 million round of funding targeted at growing Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs across high-demand fields in health care. The expanded Health Careers Registered Apprenticeship Program will support more programs that help Iowa meet the demand of its health care workforce.

The Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa’s (CFNEIA) 2023 scholarship application process is now open, and students may apply for scholarships available through CFNEIA at www.cfneia.org/scholarships. The deadline to apply for 2023 scholarships is 8:00 p.m. on March 8. CFNEIA will host a Scholarships 101 webinar on Jan. 31 from 5:30 – 6:30 p.

Nearly 1,800 graduates received degrees from Iowa State University in December. Graduate and undergraduate commencement ceremonies were held Dec. 16-17 at Hilton Coliseum. Beate Schmittmann, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, spoke at the graduate ceremony. Alumnus Suku Radia, who retired in 2017 as chief executive officer (CEO) of Bankers Trust and currently serves as an executive-in-residence in the Ivy College of Business, gave the undergraduate address.

Purge         Sarah Darer Littman                                               Young Adult                                                Fiction                                                Reviewed By                                                Connie Bennett          I feel conflicted about this book, since it is categorized as a "young adult" book, but seemed to evoke incidents and emotions much above a high school level.

 Kirkwood Community College has released its Dean's List for the fall 2022 semester. These students have achieved a 3.3 grade point average or higher after completing 12 or more credit hours at the college.  Kirkwood students from the area earning this distinction are listed below.Atkins, IA Kenny Barth Morgan Bauer Ju

Foster                    Claire Keegan                                                       Adult Fiction                                                       Medium Type          A child of about 7 years old, Petal is one of a very large, poor family growing up in the small town of Conegal, Ireland.

 Impossible Odds  By Jessica Buchanan and Erik Landemalm                                NonFiction- Trending                                First-Person Account                                Action/Thriller/Drama                                Reviewed by Connie Bennett          "Some do come out alive," I silently tell myself.

 Scholarships now available for new students pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in 2023With the New Year approaching, many individuals are making resolutions to change or improve their lives in 2023. One of the resolutions adults often make is going back to college to earn their degrees and advance their careers. Since taking the steps to go back to school can be daunting, especially for those who have not been to school in years, Western Governors University (WGU) has put together a list of tips to keep in mind to help with choosing the right college and degree path.

On December 12, Mount Mercy University pinned over 50 nursing graduates at the Nursing Pinning Ceremony. Graduates Madison Lambert '22 and Amery Barbee '22 were featured as student speakers at the event and read the class poem.  The following nursing student received their pins at the Nursing Pinning Ceremony: Vinton,  Emily FisherCongratulations nursing graduates! Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mount Mercy University is the regional Catholic, Mercy University that promises students of diverse backgrounds, ages and faiths a challenging, practical education that inspires them to discover knowledge, build community and live their values.

A Trio of Children's Books          Reviewed by Connie Bennett                  Sophie's Masterpiece                 By Eileen Spinelli                                               Children's Fiction                                                AR  3.