College Credits: Aurora Student Wins National Award For Service

AURORA, IL — We're keeping track of all the major higher education accomplishments of students in the area. Send your submissions to emily.rosca@patch.com.

Aurora student helps shape university’s future as member of charter committee

Carolina Herrera of Aurora, IL is one of more than 40 current students at the University of Iowa who are helping to shape the future of their alma mater by serving on one of 18 charter committees that advise institutional leadership on topics ranging from diversity and teaching to research and intercollegiate athletics.

Herrera is a member of the Financial Aid Advisory Committee. You can learn more about each of the UI's charter committees by clicking here.

The charter committees are another example of the University's commitment to the long tradition of shared governance in which university-wide policies and initiatives are made in collaboration with the campus's many leaders and shared governance representatives.

Shared governance at Iowa maximizes the opportunities for participation of community members at all levels - undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, and staff - in discussions, idea sharing, and input to the decision-making processes that serve to guide strategic decisions. Shared governance assures diverse perspectives and collective wisdom inform our actions, promoting collaboration and providing a strong foundation for the success of the institution.

A culture of shared governance helps Iowa maintain:

• Clearer communication and transparency;
• Deeper understanding of strategic objectives among key constituents;
• Open, egalitarian channels for feedback and discussion; and
• Well-informed leadership that can act quickly to address problems.

— Merit Page News

Student from Aurora named to university’s homecoming court

Olunife Akinmolayan, of Aurora, 60504, was crowned as royalty to the University of Findlay's 2021 homecoming court during October festivities. Akinmolayan is studying pharmacy and is the son of Koleola and Abiola Akinmolayan.

— Merit Page News

Aurora student is a member of university’s men’s soccer team

Braden Bernas of Aurora is a member of the Monmouth College men's cross country team. The Fighting Scots took fifth place at the Midwest Conference Championships at Green Lake, Wisconsin, on Oct. 30.

— Merit Page News

Student earns dean’s scholarship at Baldwin Wallace University

Sam Rueda of Aurora (60504) was among over 600 first-year students welcomed to the Baldwin Wallace University campus this fall who earned more than $12 million in merit scholarships.

Rueda, a graduate of Metea Valley High School majoring in pre-allied health/pre-physical therapy, earned a $17,000 Deans' Scholarship based on outstanding academic achievements in high school. BW's merit scholarships are awarded to full-time students and are renewable for up to four years with good academic and social standing. BW offers a wide range of financial support to its students - more than $50 million for the 2021-2022 academic year.

— Merit Page News

Aurora native part of NCAA Tournament bid

Emma Aske, a native of Aurora, IL, and graduate of Metea Valley High School, is a member of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater volleyball team, which will make its 28th appearance in the NCAA Division III Championship over the last 29 seasons this weekend as it heads to the NCAA Regional at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Aske, a senior at UW-Whitewater, is majoring in physical education.

UW-Whitewater finished as Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference runner-up during the regular season and made its eighth straight appearance in the WIAC Tournament championship match. The team is ranked eighth in the nation by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.
The Warhawks are making their 32nd appearance overall in the NCAA Championship.

— Merit Page News

Lewis University student from Aurora part of group that wins national award for service

The Zeta Xi Chapter in Lewis University's College of Business was recently recognized by the national business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi for its outstanding service.

Pedro Cavour of Aurora is studying Marketing at Lewis University and is a member of the Zeta Xi Chapter.

The national award for Outstanding Service Award for a Collegiate Chapter is presented on an annual basis to the collegiate chapter of Delta Sigma Pi that plans and implements the most effective and comprehensive program of service to others.

— Merit Page News

Student from Aurora named to Lawrence University’s dean’s list

Ana Peduk of Aurora, IL has been named to the Lawrence University Dean's List for 2021, an annual honor roll of students demonstrating exemplary academic performance.

The Dean's List is compiled at the end of the academic year once all grades have been recorded. To make the Dean's List, a student must have earned at least 36 units in Lawrence courses during the academic year and have earned a GPA of at least 3.5.

— Merit Page News

Aurora native inducted into honor society at The University of Texas at Dallas

Daniela House of Aurora, Illinois, was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. House was initiated at The University of Texas at Dallas.

House is among approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

— Merit Page News

Musicians from Aurora will perform in Christmas concert at Augustana College

The Augustana College Department of Music presents Christmas at Augustana, December 4 and 5, 2021 in Centennial Hall.
Local students are taking part in the concert:

• Ben Grafe of Aurora, IL will perform with the Augustana Choir.
• Diego Gutierrez of Aurora, IL will perform with the Augustana Symphony Orchestra.
• Bailey King of Aurora, IL will perform with the Augustana Choir.
• Emma Pilmer of Aurora, IL will perform with the Augustana Choir.
• Cassidy Wiltjer of Aurora, IL will perform with the Augustana Choir.

Presented by Quad City Bank & Trust, Christmas at Augustana is returning live after a one-year hiatus. Christmas at Augustana has thrilled audiences in sold-out performances for over a decade. Student musicians will take the stage to share their talents in what has become a highlight of the Augustana and Quad-Cities holiday season. Featuring performances by the Augustana Brass Ensemble, Augustana Symphony Orchestra, Ascension Ringers, Augustana Choir, Jenny Lind Vocal Ensemble and Augustana Concert Chorale. This holiday concert is not to be missed.

Christmas at Augustana has been a tradition since 2008. After the performance was offered in a virtual format in 2020, the Augustana College department of music is ready to be on stage again.

"We are so excited to be able to sing together again in Centennial Hall this year," says Augustana Choir director Dr. Jon Hurty. "The students and directors are really looking forward to sharing our Christmas music, live and in person!"

— Merit Page News

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