Iowa Wesleyan University will be hosting two open-to-the-public events during Black History Month.  The first is a “Black History Month Reception” on Tuesday, February 1 in the Howe Student Activity Center.  The event starts at 6 pm with the Women’s Basketball Game, there will be a halftime presentation, with drinks and hors d’oeuvres after.  Those who are interested in the event are asked to RSVP: https://www.iw.edu/black-history-month/

The second is “Stories of Unknown Civil Rights Activists” on February 23 in the Howe Student Activity Center – Social Hall.  The event starts at 7 pm.

Minor injuries were reported following a two vehicle collision at the intersection of Washington and Walnut Streets in Mount Pleasant.  The crash occurred at about 7 am Tuesday morning.  Jerad Syfert of Salem was driving east on Washington when a car driven by Laurie Long of Stronghurst, Illinois turned in front of him causing the collision. Minor injuries were reported. Long was cited for failure to yield upon making a left turn.

MOUNT PLEASANT—  Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority recently announced more than $500,000 in grant funding will be awarded to rural communities across the state through the Governor’s Empower Rural Iowa Initiative. The Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance was awarded $10,000 to renovate the second floor of the Chamber office to be used as a new work-based learning center for area schools called The Uptown Cell.

“Rural communities are the backbone of our state, and this latest round of grants will help them tackle tough challenges like housing, childcare, and recruitment,” said Lt. Governor Adam Gregg. “The Empower Rural Iowa initiative looks forward to building on this success and further ensuring opportunity and prosperity are present in all corners of Iowa.”

Work-based learning is an instructional strategy that enhances classroom learning by connecting it to the workplace. Students gain work experience while also learning academic and technical skills. Schools, community-based organizations, and businesses come together to make these meaningful programs happen.

A group of students from the Mount Pleasant High School CELL (Civic Engagement and Learning Lab) class is helping to transform the upstairs into a space that students can use to work on projects and presentations and to meet with business leaders from the community. It will also allow chamber members a great space for small group meetings, staff retreats and more. The Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance and the Mount Pleasant Area Development Commission will match the $10,000 for a total project cost of $20,000.

The Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance exists to improve the quality of life for Henry County residents through economic growth. The Chamber consists of 340 businesses, organizations, and individual members.

Mount Pleasant, IA – January 25, 2022 — Iowa Wesleyan University was once again recognized for academic excellence by U.S. News & World Report for 2022 Best Online Programs. The national ranking placed Iowa Wesleyan in the top 210 for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs, third in Iowa. In addition, Iowa Wesleyan was ranked highest in Iowa for Best Online Bachelor’s Program in Business. 

Rather than emphasizing measures most applicable to traditional-aged students entering college, U.S. News weighs how online programs across the country are being delivered and their effectiveness at awarding affordable degrees in a reasonable amount of time. The measured categories help to highlight how IW supports working professionals through its online programs.

“Iowa Wesleyan continues to create a highly innovative and robust online program that attempts to engage learners with modern 21st learning pedagogies,” noted Dr. DeWayne Frazier, University Provost. “IW hires some of the most experienced online faculty in the industry from across the region and the country. The excellent faculty and the learning pedagogies make our program of outstanding quality. We are thankful to U.S. News & World Report for recognizing our programs among the best in the country.”

Iowa Wesleyan University – As Southeast Iowa’s regional comprehensive University, Iowa Wesleyan University is a transformational learning community whose passion is to educate, empower and inspire students to lead meaningful lives and careers.