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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.