Class of 2008 considers staying close to home
They are staying here — for college, at least.
The surveys taken by our best and brightest — the students featured in Wednesday’s Salute to Academics & Achievements — show they are not leaving our two states in droves to pursue higher education.
The top three schools of choice for the Illinois-side teens? Augustana College, University of Illinois and Illinois State University.
The top three for Iowa-side talent? University of Iowa, Iowa State University and University of Northern Iowa.
A host of other regional schools are close runners-up: St. Ambrose, Scott Community and Black Hawk colleges, Ashford University, Western Illinois University.
Of the students who responded to our survey, a couple dozen said they “definitely” see themselves living in the Quad-Cities after college. We are so very lucky to have them.
Cassandra Wentworth of Davenport is one of those “definites.” She plans to go into engineering or medicine.
“I hope to start a career here in Davenport and help my community in every way possible. I look forward to owning my own house and raising my children here. With the education I have received so far, I have no doubts that I will succeed with whatever I decide to do.”
Adam Kappeler of Stockton, Iowa, is another. He plans to study medicine at the University of Iowa to become a surgeon. One of his goals is “to be living in a nice house in the Quad-City area.”
Out of 458 who responded, 99 said “no way” would they return to their hometown. They, too, have solid, grand and exciting plans.
Tyler Harmsen of Bettendorf, for example, hopes to spend two years in the Peace Corps and then go to work in American embassies to help people living abroad.
A huge majority said “maybe.” It’s that “maybe” category we really need to pursue, need to again and again show this is an excellent place to call home.
Look at Brandon Wagner from Andrew, Iowa. He plans to work to get his foot in the door of successful companies such as Deere & Co. Perfect. We happen to have a certain company’s headquarters here.
And how about Laurel Williams from Sherrard, Ill.? She hopes to be a speech pathologist in an elementary school. She also plans to remain involved in the artistic endeavors of the community she chooses to be her own. What a great match. We have lots of schools, a thriving arts community and the Center for Communicative Disorders is here on the Augustana campus.
Amy Maxwell of Donahue, Iowa, will be going to college at Iowa State University. She hopes to own and manage her own high-end dairy farm. She also plans to lead a 4-H club in her community. Our agricultural community would love to have her, and so would we.
Encouraging our best and brightest to stay and follow their dreams in the place they called home for the majority of their lives takes lots of things. It takes good schools, vibrant arts and entertainment options, affordable housing and a community of people who care about each other.
Join us at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Davenport North High School auditorium to show them just how much we do care — and how much we want them to consider the Quad-Cities home when their college studies are done.