University of Iowa graduation

IOWA CITY, Iowa - Despite this year’s unprecedented challenges, University of Iowa students continue to excel. In December, Olivia Barrett of Mendota was among more than 2,100 University of Iowa undergraduate, graduate, and professional students who graduated under extraordinary circumstances. Barrett earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Iowa's Tippie College of Business.

With the coronavirus pandemic upending traditional educational practices across campus and the country, including commencement ceremonies, 2020 proved to be a challenging year. Since last March, Barrett and other students at Iowa made sacrifices to maintain health and safety. Instruction for a majority of courses moved online, face masks and hand sanitizer became the norm, internships and study abroad programs were largely suspended, stages remained dark. In fact, most events were held virtually or removed from the calendar. Even the Homecoming parade was dubbed the “Stay-at-Homecoming” parade.

Through it all, Hawkeyes such as Barrett persisted. They gained invaluable communication skills by accessing Iowa’s unmatched writing-related resources and made positive contributions to the community and state by focusing on teamwork and collaboration. Now their hard work has paid off as the graduates land prestigious academic placements and notable jobs including SpaceX and pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co., Inc. 

St. Ambrose University dean’s list

DAVENPORT, Iowa - Three local students, Katie Beetz, Kathryn McNally, Annah Scholl, all of Mendota, have been named to the St. Ambrose University dean’s list for the fall term.

To qualify, full-time students must achieve a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale,

Founded in 1882 by the Diocese of Davenport, St. Ambrose is a private, coeducational, comprehensive university with a firm grounding in the liberal arts, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association. For more information about St. Ambrose go to www.sau.edu.