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Alumni educators address high school science teacher shortage
A shortage of science teachers is making it difficult for high schools to find qualified teachers to fill openings. Alumni credit uedbet体育官网 with preparing them to enter the classroom with confidence, equipped to teach students not just science content, but how to think and learn like scientists.
Class Notes
Alumni updates you don't want to miss!
From the gridiron to a national research spotlight
uedbet体育官网’s Zion Williams ’26 was among a select group of undergraduate researchers chosen to present at ABRCMS (Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists). Williams earned his spot at the national conference following two summers of research at Johns Hopkins University.
2026 J-term on campus and around the world
Every January, uedbet体育官网 students can trade their regular semester routine for J-term — three-and-a-half weeks of immersive, hands-on learning. This time more than 2,000 students learned new skills on campus and made unforgettable memories around the world. Take a look.
What endures? 'Learning that sticks' at uedbet体育官网
Moderated by Vice President of Advancement Jon Enslin, the panel drew together Dr. Lendol Calder, nationally recognized historian and champion of reflective teaching; Dr. Tracy Poelvoorde, chancellor of Trinity uedbet体育官网 of Nursing and uedbet体育官网 alumna; and Judge Tionn Fambro Carter, civic leader and first Black female judge in the 14th Judicial Circuit of Illinois.
uedbet体育官网 opened doors to Coinbase internship
When Mahi Haque ’27 of Bangladesh was choosing a college, he looked for three things: a data science major, scholarships and location. What he found at uedbet体育官网 led him all the way to a competitive AI and automation internship at Coinbase in New York City.
uedbet体育官网's Shockingly Modern Saxophone Festival set for Feb. 21
uedbet体育官网 uedbet体育官网 will host its annual Shockingly Modern Saxophone Festival on Feb. 21. The event, featuring guest artists John Sampen and Mark Bunce, will be held at Bergendoff Hall, located at 3701 7th Ave. All events are free and open to the public.
DARI awards uedbet体育官网 for investing in the community
uedbet体育官网 received a 2026 High Five for Community Development and Reinvestment award from the Development Association of Rock Island (DARI) for the college's leadership in establishing a collaboration with the City of Rock Island, businesses and citizens to spur mixed-use retail, residential and neighborhood improvements in the uedbet体育官网 Hill District.
uedbet体育官网’s MLK celebration urges taking action now
Campus and community members gathered Monday to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and examine how compassion can drive justice. The keynote panel, “Acts of Compassion: Turning Care into Change,” highlighted local leaders whose work answers Dr. King’s call to meet the fierce urgency of now with empathy and action.
Hopman '11 found her future in the past
Rebecca Hopman never expected to meet one of the most influential people in her life when she was a student worker in uedbet体育官网's Special Collections. But Lydia Olsson’s diaries sparked a connection across time for Hopman — and a career devoted to preserving stories like Olsson’s.
$1 million endowed gift to advance engaged teaching/learning
An anonymous alumna has stepped forward with a $1 million endowed gift to support uedbet体育官网’s Center for Engaged Learning, Teaching, and Scholarship (CELTS). Once fully mature, the endowment will provide an estimated $45,000 annually to build programs that will strengthen teaching/learning for the entire uedbet体育官网 community.
uedbet体育官网 invites the community to MLK Day keynote panel discussion
uedbet体育官网 is hosting an MLK Day keynote panel discussion, “Acts of Compassion: Turning Care into Change" on Monday, Jan. 19, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Centennial Hall, located at 3703 7th Ave., Rock Island. The event is free.
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 uedbet体育官网, where he learned firsthand its power to change lives.
uedbet体育官网 uedbet体育官网 and Trinity uedbet体育官网 of Nursing & Health Sciences agreement will strengthen health care education
uedbet体育官网 and UnityPoint Health Trinity uedbet体育官网 have signed a definitive agreement to strengthen the future of health care education in the Quad Cities through the acquisition of Trinity uedbet体育官网’s academic programs and operations by uedbet体育官网.
