Bewley to attend Hardin-Simmons

Madeleine Bewley, of Pflugerville, has been accepted as a freshman at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene.

Hardin-Simmons University, founded in 1891, is a fully accredited church-related Master’s (comprehensive) University.

Bewley is among approximately 550 students who will start fall classes on Aug. 23.

Harris graduates from Kaplan U

Shay’La Harris of Pflugerville has been awarded a Master of Business Administration degree in business administration from Kaplan University.

Harris’s accomplishment was celebrated during a live graduation ceremony on Aug. 7 in Chicago. Harold Ford, Jr., a former U.S. representative, served as the commencement speaker.

“Graduates like you must use your education and skill set to make this a stronger, more vibrant and dynamic nation,” Ford told the approximately 730 graduates in attendance. “It takes courage and determination to improve your own life and the lives of those around you.”

The Kaplan University summer 2010 class, which included more than 4,200 graduates, earned associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees – as well as professional certificates – completely online.

Kaplan University has graduated nearly 27,000 online students since it began offering web-based degrees in 2001.

Legband on SMU honor roll

Katie Legband, a resident of Pflugerville and a first year at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, is listed on the SMU honor roll with distinction.

To be listed on the SMU honor roll with distinction, students must be in the top 10 percent of their school of record.

SMU’s 2009-2010 enrollment included 11,832 undergraduate students.

SMU is a private university located in the heart of Dallas. Today, more than 11,000 students benefit from the national opportunities and international reach afforded by SMU’s seven degree-granting schools.

Pflugerville man earns doctorate from SMU

Carl Trovall, a resident of Pflugerville, received a doctorate degree in religious studies during the 2009-10 SMU commencement ceremonies.

After the university-wide commencements, SMU’s schools and departments held individual ceremonies throughout the day to honor graduates.

PISD lands Department of Agriculture funding

The Pflugerville ISD Food Services department will receive $68,500 in Texas Department of Agriculture grant funds this year for its nutrition education programs Go For More! and Chef Patrick’s Pals. Food Service Director Geoff Holle applied for the funds in April, hoping that the TDA would recognize the innovation of these programs.

“These resources will do a great deal of good in our district,” Holle said. “We’re thrilled that our efforts will be supported.”

Go For More! is a PISD-exclusive program through which Aramark provides elementary school students with free second-helpings of fruits and vegetables to students who purchase a school lunch. Piloted at test locations in the 2009 school year, Aramark expanded the nutrition program to all PISD elementary schools last year.

District food service officials estimate fruit and vegetable consumption increased as much as 33 percent last year with Go For More!

The other program receiving grant funds is Chef Patrick’s Pals – a nutrition education program that is aimed to be fun and relevant to students. Chef Patrick’s Pals includes interactive demonstrations that allow a hands-on experience for participants. These demonstrations are aimed at educating students on the importance of making healthy food selections while showing them how easy it can be to make food.

This live show toured PISD elementary schools in spring 2010, and Aramark officials hope the grant funds will allow the program to continue with new demonstrations and education materials.

The grant money comes from two different programs: The TDA’s Best Practices and TDA’s Nutrition Education Grant. Both grants are a result of action taken by the 81st Texas Legislature to provide funding to organizations to help combat childhood obesity and promote healthy eating habits among Texas children.

DeCuir on Dean’s List at Ithaca College

The following local residents were named to the Dean’s List at Ithaca College for the spring 2010 semester.

Sarah DeCuir, daughter of Louis DeCuir and Sue Ann DeCuir of Pflugerville, was named to the Dean’s List at Ithaca’s Division of Interdisciplinary and International Studies.

Ithaca College is a nationally recognized independent college of some 6,300 undergraduates and 400 graduate students. Located in Ithaca, N.Y., the college offers more than 100 degree programs.

Pflugerville pair on Angelo State Dean’s List

The Dean’s List for the 2010 Spring semester has been announced at Angelo State University in San Angelo.

To be eligible for the Dean’s List, students must be enrolled full-time and maintain a 3.25 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

The honorees include the following from the Pflugerville area: Terrill A. McKissick and Cory M. Stevens.

Shaffer on TSTC President’s Honor Roll

Christopher Shaffer of Pflugerville has earned a place on the President’s Honor Roll for the 2010 spring semester at Texas State Technical College Waco.

Shaffer, a student in Aviation Maintenance Technology, is among those recognized with a scholastic achievement of a 4.0 grade point average for the semester.