March 29, 2024

College news

Buena Vista University

STORM LAKE – Ryan Jensen, a sophomore history education major from Bridgewater, performed alongside the Buena Vista University (BVU) Concert Choir March 26 over spring break at Carnegie Hall in New York City, New York.

“The experience provided students the well-deserved opportunity to showcase their hard work and talent on an internationally recognized stage,” said Dr. Merrin Guice, assistant professor of music and director of vocal music at BVU.

The choir spent their 2015-16 school year preparing to compete in the Riva Del Garda International Choir Competition in Riva Del Garda, Italy, and won first place in the mixed repertoire competition there and second place in the sacred competition. During that international competition, a recording was made and sent to Manhattan Concert Productions for audition and review. After listening to the submission, the company invited BVU’s Concert Choir to perform a spotlight debut performance at the opening of a choral-orchestral concert of the Schubert “Mass in G” in New York City. The choir also performed three other pieces under the direction of Guice.

“This was a highly selective process, and we are honored to have been the only choral ensemble to perform,” Guice said. “This was a special event in the life of the music department and BVU.”

To prepare for their Carnegie Hall performance, the choir rehearsed every day, sometimes twice a day, throughout the week while they were in New York City.

“To be chosen and featured to perform on a world-class stage was awe-inspiring and humbling,” Guice said. “The experience wouldn’t have been possible without the tireless work and dedication of our students.”

In addition to the choir’s Carnegie Hall appearance, the group also had the chance to perform March 22 at University of Massachusetts Lowell due to the connections Guice made while she was attending a 2015 conductor’s conference in Italy.

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Graceland University

LAMONI – Graceland University student scholars from a variety of academic disciplines were selected to present their research and work to an audience of fellow students, faculty and visitors.

Weston Schnoor of Mount Ayr and Jackson Shantz of Greenfield were selected for an oral presentation on “Social Media Marketing Principal Business Challenge” in business.

The goal of the annual event is to develop a culture of high-quality research, scholarship and creative activities. The showcase is an opportunity for students and professors to professionally demonstrate their scholarly works for the entire campus to see, and enables all schools to see each other’s work in one place. Scholarly works are represented by posters, presentations, demonstrations, senior projects, art shows, musical instrument recitals and more.

Founded in 1895 and sponsored by Community of Christ, Graceland University in Lamoni is more than just a school. It is a community of passionate, caring and dedicated individuals who put their relationships with students first. Campuses are located in Lamoni and Independence, Missouri. For more information and to see additional student achievements, follow @gracelandu on Twitter and like Graceland University on Facebook, or visit www.graceland.edu.

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Grantham University

LENEXA, Kan. – Grantham University is proud to announce its March local graduates of the university’s online degree and certificate programs. They include Michael Hudson of Afton, MS in information technology, and John Stuart of Corning, BS in multidisciplinary studies.

Given the flexibility of the 100 percent online university’s course schedule, Grantham students finish their programs and graduate each week of the year.

Grantham University was founded in 1951 by Donald Grantham, a World War II veteran with a vision to make education achievable for military service members and veterans. Over the past 66 years, Grantham’s commitment to serving those who serve with affordable, accessible higher education has evolved into a culture of service that extends to all adult learners, as well as those in need. The university’s ability to help students achieve their dreams through education is enabled by its unique approach and devotion to comprehensive student support and its continuous advancement in line with changing technologies.

Continuously accredited since 1961 by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission, Grantham University has earned a distinguished record as a respected and accredited distance-learning university. The 100 percent online university offers more than 50 undergraduate and graduate certificates and degree programs, and serves a global student population of more than 17,000 annually.

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Central College

PELLA – Central College student Marissa Drake of Corning recently won an endowed athletic training award. Drake is a junior athletic training major and won the Roslien Scholarship, an endowed scholarship for rising juniors chosen by faculty and staff.

Founded in 1853, Central College of Pella 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. Central continues to value its long-standing relationship with the Reformed Church in America. The college participates in NCAA Division III athletics and is a member of the Iowa Conference.

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Central College’s A Cappella choir will take Austria and Germany by song May 16-27, with more than 60 student vocalists performing on tour. Local students part of the tour include Brittany Sites and Paige Sites, both of Bedford, and Cody Walter of Afton.

The choir performs internationally every four years, and more than 60 student vocalists are part of this tour. While in Vienna, the choir will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of Central’s study abroad program in Austria.

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University of Nebraska-Lincoln

LINCOLN, Neb. – More than 1,900 University of Nebraska-Lincoln students were honored during individual college celebrations and the All-University Honors Convocation April 23 at the Lied Center for Performing Arts.

Students were recognized for their outstanding academic achievements. Honorees from the local area included:

• Emily Paige Schildberg of Greenfield, freshman, exploratory and preprofessional advising

• Daniel Eigen Boschee of Lenox, junior, fine and performing arts

Both students were high scholars, who arestudents other than chancellor’s and superior scholars who are in the top 10 percent of their class.