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Class Notes
Alumni share their latest news!
Polyak '99 named 2026 Superintendent of the Year
The impact of Dr. Nick Polyak's leadership is clear in the relationships he builds, the opportunities he creates for students and faculty, and the example he sets. He traces his passion for education back to his time at Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø, where he learned firsthand its power to change lives.
Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø and Trinity Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø of Nursing & Health Sciences agreement will strengthen health care education
Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø and UnityPoint Health Trinity Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø have signed a definitive agreement to strengthen the future of health care education in the Quad Cities through the acquisition of Trinity Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø¡¯s academic programs and operations by Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø.
$10,000 Business Plan Competition open for 2026
The 10th annual Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Business Plan Competition invites teams or individual students to present their ideas to a panel of business professionals.
Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø launches Office of the Vice President for Culture and Connection in 2026
The launch marks a decade of impact and a renewed mission-driven commitment to prepare students for a diverse and changing world. New programming will celebrate and affirm diverse identities and creative traditions represented on campus.
Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Oratorio Society to perform Handel's 'Messiah'
George Frideric Handel¡¯s ¡°Messiah¡± will be performed by the Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Oratorio Society, conducted by Dr. Jon Hurty. Soloists are Michelle Areyzaga, soprano; Steven Soph, tenor; Jonathan Woody, bass-baritone; and Jessye Wright, mezzo soprano. A professional orchestra will accompany the performance.
Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø partners with local organizations to improve maternal care
Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø's Center for the Advancement of Community Health and Wellness (CACHW) is partnering with Community Health Care (CHC), Iowa Black Doula Collective, and Akwaaba QC to improve maternal care in the region.
2025 in review
In 2025, Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø received national recognition for innovation and affordability; expanded opportunities for students in business, health care and STEM; strengthened community connections in support of the Bold & Boundless strategic plan; and provided students with access to hands-on research and educational experiences abroad.
Studying a link between sleep and Alzheimer¡¯s, dementia
The July 10, 2025, issue of Science, one of the world¡¯s top academic journals, features Dr. Samantha Keil ¡¯12 as lead author on an article that summarizes what research has revealed about how the brain¡¯s glymphatic system may play a role in Alzheimer¡¯s disease.
2026 MLK Day celebration schedule
Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø's annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and legacy will take place Jan. 19-23. The theme of the event is "The Fierce Urgency of Now: Compassion in Action." The keynote on Jan. 19 will be livestreamed by WAUG.
Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø ranked No. 4 in enrolling international students
Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø once again moved up the ranks in the federal 2025 Open Doors Report among baccalaureate colleges for the number of international students it enrolls. Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø's 2024-25 ranking is now #4 in the nation.
Celebrating 150 years in Rock Island
In honor of the 150th anniversary of Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø¡¯s first classes in Rock Island, the college¡¯s unofficial historian Kai Swanson ¡¯86 reflects on its early rural beginnings.
Triceratops gets star treatment in Swenson lab
A historic discovery is taking shape in the basement of Å·ÖÞ±ÍøͶ_Å·ÖÞ±ÍâΧapp-Ͷע¹ÙÍø¡¯s Swenson Hall of Geosciences.
Q&A with Jacob Washington ¡¯21, awarded for broadcast excellence
Emmy-nominated Jacob Washington ¡¯21 was a producer for ¡°It¡¯s The Gateway to Baltimore: The Key Bridge Collapse,¡± which earned Baltimore¡¯s WJZ-TV a regional 2025 Murrow Award for breaking news coverage.
When multiple majors lead to singular careers
Making connections is the beating heart of many careers: connecting one idea with another idea, a community with a service or solution, a vision with an audience. A liberal arts education builds this ability.
