The Ron Clark Academy (RCA) and Promethean presented Amanda Morris from Tarboro, North Carolina and Donna Porter from Picayune, Mississippi with the 2012 Thank A Teacher Award. Morris and Porter were selected out of hundreds of nominees from around the country.

Both teachers were given a two-day, all expense paid trip to attend the RCA Educator Training Program. Their best teaching practices and stories about how they are inspiring students will be shared with millions of educators on Promethean Planet.

Amanda Morris motto, Go the Distance, is known by peers, students and her family. She was nominated for doing whatever it takes to motivate her students! Including eating live worms to reward her students for increasing scores on state assessments, and dressing-up like a pop-star and singing original songs to keep students motivated.

Donna Porters nomination from a former student started with ninety seconds changed my life. The student continued with a heart-felt story about how she didnt give-up on him or any other students. And, how her charm and keen understanding helped motivate them to stay in school, graduate and continue on to college.

Great teachers know how to touch the hearts and minds of their students. They inspire and challenge them to reach higher and do whatever they set their minds to. It is truly a pleasure to recognize Mrs. Porter and Mrs. Morris for their years of service and give them an opportunity to continue to build their skills with the amazing teaching team at The Ron Clark Academy, said Jim Marshall, President, Promethean North America.

Photos and essays from a number of the Thank A Teacher nominees are posted online at:

????Promethean Thank A Teacher Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ThankATeacher
????The Ron Clark Academy Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/RCAcademy

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Liberty University senior Heather Thomas is the recipient of this years Christian/Community Service Volunteer of the Year Award for her outstanding contribution and commitment to service in the Lynchburg community and around the world.

She was presented the award in Wednesdays convocation.

Lew Weider, associate professor and Director of Christian/Community Service (CSER) at called Thomas one of the most energetic servant-leaders he has met at Liberty. She is a wonderful example of a Champion for Christ, he said.

Weider, the faculty adviser for Libertys Circle K club, has worked closely with Thomas who served as president for three semesters. Circle K is the largest collegiate service organization worldwide.

Throughout the past academic year, Thomas has organized and served with many projects for the club, including volunteering at two nursing homes, Adopt-a-Highway, the American Red Cross Bloodmobile, the Kiwanis Club of Lynchburg Annual Teddy Bear Parade, clean-up at Blackwater Creek trail and the Hyland Heights Baptist Church food drive.

Thomas, a biology/pre-med major, also helped to raise about $ 5,500 for the Circle K International Eliminate Project, which is designed to eliminate maternal and neonatal Tetanus.

In addition to her service with Circle K, Thomas volunteers every Tuesday night, and other days during the week as needed, with the Lynchburg Free Clinic. On the weekends, she is on call at the Campbell County Rescue Squad as an EMT-Basic and regularly volunteers at the Lynchburg General Hospital Emergency Department. Every Sunday morning she runs a coffee ministry at Cornerstone Community Church.

Thomass volunteerism spirit has also taken her to China for several summers, teaching English as a second language.

This academic year she started Libertys Medical Community Service Club where she helped to prepare and send out newsletters for the Free Clinic of Central Virginia, participated in a fundraiser for Mended Hearts (for those with mental and physical health challenges), wrote letters to homebound individuals and cleaned house for a handicapped woman.

Thomass latest project is directing the Walk to Remember Rwanda fundraiser scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday on the steps of Arthur S. DeMoss Learning Center. The money raised will go toward a school Liberty students are helping to build in Rwanda (read more).

Thomas said her inspiration for serving comes from the Lord and is a platform for sharing the gospel.

Volunteering has opened up a bunch of different doors to share Christ in the community, Thomas said. Everywhere we go we always have the question, Where all you all from? To be able say youre from Liberty University not only portrays a good name on the school but also upon Christ. People tell us that there is something different about us and they really have enjoyed getting to know the students that have come out.

Thomas is graduating this May and plans to work for a year at a local nursing home before attending medical school.

The Volunteer of the Year Christian Service Award is presented annually to a student who demonstrates excellence in Christian service and ministry. Students are nominated by their supervisors at the organizations where they volunteer.

Kenneth Hubbell and Mark Osborne received honorable mentions for their service with No Longer Music and Liberty Counsel, respectively.

Liberty requires students to complete a minimum of 20 hours of Christian service each semester to fulfill graduation requirements and support the mission of the university to serve others.

Liberty University, located in Lynchburg, Va., is the worlds largest Christian university. More than 12,500 students attend classes on its 6,700-acre residential campus and more than 70,000 study in its thriving online education program.

Shrinking state education budgets, coupled with pressure to improve academic performance, has forced many schools to trim or even eliminate athletics. In many cases, coaches have subsidized programs out of their own pockets while student athletes have risked injury practicing with old and insufficient equipment. More and more, families who simply arent able are asked to foot the athletics bill. Among this years applicants, many represent economically disadvantaged student athletes who cannot afford to pay participation fees or purchase uniforms.

These types of situations concerned California Casualty Chairman and past CEO Thomas R. Brown, who enjoyed school athletics and understands their impact on self-esteem and leadership development.

Youth sports teach teamwork, discipline and that hard work pays off, Brown said. Theyre a valuable complement to lessons learned in school.

The California Casualty Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant program began a year ago, with $ 25,000 in grants across four states. Applications revealed such compelling need that the grant pool was tripled and eligibility expanded to all states for the second year of the program. This time around, 275 applications for assistance poured in. The 59 selected programs received grants ranging from $ 1,000 to $ 2,500 which will be used for equipment, uniforms, fees and other associated costs for athletic programs. A full listing of grant recipients is attached.

California Casualty has a 60-year relationship with education and school administration associations.

We understand the struggles they face every day, said Doug Goldberg, Senior Vice President. This is our way of giving back.

Headquartered in San Mateo, CA, with Service Centers in Arizona, Colorado and Kansas, California Casualty provides auto and home insurance products to educators, law enforcement, fire fighters and nurses in 44 states. Learn more at http://www.calcas.com. For more information about this program, visit http://www.CalCasAthleticsGrant.com.

Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant Recipients 2012

Alabama

Tuscaloosa County High School, Northport

Arizona

Cortez High School, Phoenix

California

Agoura High School, Agoura Hills

Cajon High School, San Bernardino

Calipatria High School, Calipatria

Chaffey High School, Ontario

Chaparral High School, Temecula

Hawthorne Math & Science Academy, Hawthorne

Hoover High School, Fresno

Natomas High School, Sacramento

Rim of the World High School, Lake Arrowhead

San Jose High School, San Jose

Vista Del Lago High School, Moreno Valley

Wilson High School, Long Beach

Colorado

Fort Morgan High School, Fort Morgan

Lakewood High School, Lakewood

Westminster High School, Westminster

Delaware

Laurel High School, Laurel

Seaford Senior High School, Seaford

Florida

New Smyrna High School, New Smyrna Beach

Georgia

Early County High School, Blakely

Idaho

Buhl High School, Buhl

Emmett High School, Emmett

Illinois

Alton Senior High School, Alton

Bunker Hill High School, Bunker Hill

Indiana

Jasper High School, Jasper

Iowa

Waverly-Shell Rock High School, Waverly

Kansas

Eisenhower High School, Goddard

St. John-Hudson High School, St. John

Kentucky

Bryan Station High School, Lexington

Casey County High School, Liberty

Maine

Morse High School, Bath

Washburn District High School, Washburn

Maryland

Chesapeake High School, Essex

Havre de Grace High School, Havre de Grace

Minnesota

Park Rapids Area High School, Park Rapids

Verndale Public School, Verndale

Missouri

Brookfield R-II High School, Brookfield

Pattonville High School, Maryland Heights

Ste. Genevieve High School, Ste. Genevieve

New Jersey

Morris Hills High School, Rockaway

New Mexico

(2) Hatch Valley High School, Hatch

North Carolina

Pamlico County High School, Bayboro

Ohio

Liberty Center High School, Liberty Center

Riverside High School, Painesville

Xenia High School, Xenia

Oregon

Ashland High School, Ashland

Elgin High School, Elgin

Pennsylvania

Brownsville Area High School, Brownsville

Curwensville High School, Curwensville

East Juniata High School, McAlisterville

East Pennsboro Area High School, Enola

Huntington Area High School, Huntington

Ligonier Valley High School, Ligonier

Moniteau High School, West Sunbury

Waynesburg Central High School, Waynesburg

South Carolina

Rock Hill High School, Rock Hill

Virginia

Patrick Henry High School, Glade Spring

Washington

Mountain View High School, Vancouver

More Education Press Releases

The IEEE Computer Society and its registered education partner New Horizons United have developed a new and easier distance-learning format in software engineering to help students prepare for the Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP) exam.

The Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) CSDP preparation classes will let students take advantage of top-caliber CSDP trainers without leaving their offices. Furthermore, the two-day courses will enable employers and test-takers to avoid paying for travel costs or extended time off work. The first VILT class is scheduled for 14-15 May. Register or view the course outline.

With technology consistently changing and live virtual learning being the preferred method, we are thrilled to leverage todays modalities and have the ability to reach and prepare more potential candidates on the CSDP certification,” said Christopher Roy, President of Enterprise Sales at New Horizons United. “Not only will the students have a great experience but they will save a great deal of time and travel expenses.

Geared toward mid-career professionals, the CSDP certification demonstrates an individuals proficiency of the knowledge required of an experienced software development professional. More and more professionals are earning the CSDP credential to demonstrate their knowledge and advance in their careers. And, employers are recognizing the value in standardizing their software development practices through certifications like the CSDP.

The CSDP VILT preparation course will be taught by an IEEE Computer Society certified instructor and covers the 11 core CSDP knowledge areas (KAs) of the Guide to the Software Engineering Body of Knowledge (SWEBOK). After this course, and in preparation for the CSDP examination, attendees will also have one month of access to the online CSDP Preparation Course as well as a discount coupon that can be applied toward the CSDP certification examination. The online course includes the three foundational KAs that will not be covered during the VILT course. Together, both courses will help prepare an individual for the CSDP certification exam.

The preparation course is US $ 595, which includes the VILT course, the CSDP online course, and the SWEBOK Guide. In addition, those who take the preparation course will receive a coupon to take the CSDP examination at a discounted rate of $ 395.

Students can participate in the VILT course via Online LIVE. They will be able to view instructor activities on their computers and whiteboards, and hear the instructors presentation and student conversations in the classroom.

To take the CSDP exam, individuals must have a bachelors degree, be a CSDA certificate holder, an educator at the post- baccalaureate level, or a member of IEEE. In addition, four years of software engineering experience or an advanced degree and two years of software engineering experience are required. For more information about the CSDP, visit: http://www.computer.org/csdp.

About the IEEE Computer Society

The IEEE Computer Society is the worlds leading organization of computing professionals. Founded in 1946, and the largest of IEEEs 38 societies, the Computer Society is dedicated to advancing the theory and application of computer and information-processing technology. The Society serves the information and career-development needs of todays computing researchers and practitioners with technical journals, magazines, conferences, books, conference publications, certifications, and online courses. For more information, visit http://www.computer.org.

Local California insurance agency, Best Buy Insurance, is proud to announce its new website and accompanying digital marketing campaign, aimed at enhancing the way through which the agency connects with, markets to and serves its surrounding California community.

The agencys interactive new website, http://www.best-buyinsurance.com/, was created to make the online insurance shopping experience much more educational and intuitive for individuals seeking very specific types of insurance coverage and services. The site is divided into clear product categories, making it nearly effortless for its California insurance shoppers to find exactly the type of coverage and service that they are looking for and better yet, allows the consumer to take a much more proactive approach to better understanding his or her policy options.

Whether shoppers are new to the state and looking for California home insurance or need California business insurance to protect their commercial investment, Best Buy Insurance has it all. Regardless of what a customers needs may be, Best Buy Insurance provides current and prospective customers with multiple means of contacting the agency. Fill out a free request form online, get social with the agencys experts of various social media sites or just give them a call at (800) 817-1168.

Best Buy Insurance aims to make the insurance shopping process as simple as possible for residents across the state and beyond. The agency is thrilled to move forward with the initiation of its innovative digital marketing strategy and the team of insurance experts has high expectations for the ease it will bring to its California community.

Best Buy Insurance has partnered with Astonish Results, LLC, an insurance marketing and insurance sales training company that specializes in modernizing the independent insurance industry in order to create a ground-breaking new online marketing campaign. This bold new marketing strategy features an interactive Virtual Insurance Office and custom Virtual Insurance Agent, which are meant to increase consumer engagement and provide the visitor with a more personal and educational experience. The Astonish Results campaign is also intended to help Best Buy Insurance both find and keep new, prospective customers; allowing the California insurance agency to successfully grow its book of business.

About Best Buy Insurance:

In order to earn the clients business, the agents at Best Buy Insurance focus on five guiding themes. First, they focus on providing customers with a California insurance agent with the right expertise. The agency has a long standing commitment to providing top-notch customer service, and prides itself on providing each of its clients with customized insurance solutions. Most importantly, Best Buys customer relationship doesnt stop after customers get a quote! The agents are always available to help their clients report claims, and since the agency has 12 offices, its licensed professionals are always just around the corner and able to meet with clients face-to-face. Best Buy Insurance believes in long term partnerships with clients, and as an agency, does everything in its power to make customers experience with Best Buy Insurance outstanding.

While convenience and speed are essential parts of payday lending, so too are information and responsible borrowing habits. With this in mind, BadCreditLoans.com has posted brand new educational articles on the payday lending industry. Consumers can read these free articles to learn how to submit an electronic application for instant approval, compare loan quotes, select a lender, and find the lowest price available.

BadCreditLoans.com works in every way possible to offer an assortment of educational materials to those who visit the site whether theyre in search of an affordable payday loan or insightful information about the payday lending process, says BadCreditLoans.com spokesperson Chris Roberts. By putting educational materials into the hands of the public, BadCreditLoans.com can ensure consumers are up-to-date on payday lending law, familiar with common payday lending terms and fully aware of payday lending policies.

With hundreds of payday lending websites claiming to approve bad credit loans, consumers may find it difficult to decide which website is best. BadCreditLoans.com understands the challenge and offers a widely spanning array of financial articles and informational guides to help any consumers make the right decision.

The newest article in the BadCreditLoans.com library is entitled How It Works. By taking just a few minutes to read through it, customers can learn everything they need to know about the application, approval, disbursal of funds, and eventual repayment of their loan. It is a simple way to help anyone prepare for the financial decision they may be about to make.

Visitors to BadCreditLoans.com will find a one-stop resource in the search for a simple, fast and secure payday loan. Consumers who have a bank account and can provide other personal information, such as a Social Security number, home address, and work phone number, can complete an electronic application in just a few minutes. Once approved, they can select a lender, sign an e-signature contract, and get emergency cash deposited into a valid checking account within the following 24 hours.

With BadCreditLoans.com consumers can apply for payday loans and research the payday lending industry without ever having to leave the comfort of their house or office. All educational articles and instructional guides are available online, free of charge, 24 hours a day. The speed and convenience of the site together with BadCreditLoans.coms vast network of reliable lenders ensures that consumers get the best loan, at the best rates, in the most convenient manner possible.

New Horizons Computer Learning Centers and the Illinois Technology Foundation are pleased to announce that New Horizons Great Lakes (Chicago) will provide each Fifty for the Future ? awardee a $ 1,000 scholarship and a separate $ 1,000 scholarship to his or her faculty sponsor. In addition, a special drawing will be held at the annual celebration where New Horizons will award an additional $ 5,000 scholarship to one of the awardees. Recipients of the award will be able to apply the scholarship to New Horizons extensive catalog of offerings.

We are pleased to lend our support to the Fifty for the Future ? program, says Mark McManus, Jr., CEO of New Horizons Learning Centers. The program has a long history of identifying top student talent in the Illinois market and we are excited to reward students and faculty involved in the program.

Entering its 6th year, the Annual Foundation Fifty for the Future ? Competition and Awards program recognizes exceptional students with an interest in and potential to use technology in innovative ways. Fifty for the Future ? provides encouragement and recognition to students who pursue innovation through technology, providing access to business leaders to showcase their talent. Winners are chosen through a rigorous nomination and judging process, focused on high school through university and graduate-level programs. The celebration is attended by industry leaders, judges, winners and their families, and other supporters of the technology industry.

We are most grateful to New Horizons for this generous gift to the Illinois information technology community, says Bill Waas, Chairman of the Illinois Technology Foundation. Not only does it recognize Fifty for the Future ? awardees, it also recognizes our hardworking and dedicated academic community.

About the Foundation

The Illinois Technology Foundation is dedicated to the development of the future technology leaders of Illinois through active industry participation in the education process. As a recognized 501(c)(3) and 509 not-for-profit tax-exempt corporation, we work with academic institutions, from K-12 through college level, to encourage and retain technology talent. For more information, visit http://www.itfound.org.

About New Horizons Computer Learning Centers

New Horizons Computer Learning Centers is the leading provider of learning solutions for Information Technology, PC Desktop Applications, Project Management, Business Skills, and Healthcare Information Management training. We specialize in integrated learning models that increase knowledge retention and the ability to apply what is learned on the job.

With over 300 centers in 60 countries, New Horizons is the worlds largest independent IT training company. For over 25 years, New Horizons has delivered a full range of technology and business skills training through innovative learning methods that have transformed businesses and helped over 25 million students reach their goals. For more information, visit http://www.newhorizons.com/chicago.

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Related Education Press Releases

The fight led by famed naturalist John Muir about a century ago continues to strengthen with the announcement that the fourth annual “Muir’s March” has expanded to include six stunning guided backpacking trips (including a trip just for families) in Yosemite National Park, from July 29 Aug 4, 2012. The march, which takes backpackers and hikers into scenic areas rarely experienced by tourists, raises awareness and funds for the campaign to bring the Hetch Hetchy Valley back to life. The treks literally and figuratively follow in Muirs footsteps, and are open to anyone who can raise a minimum of $ 90.*

Muir called Yosemites Hetch Hetchy Valley, “one of nature’s rarest and most precious mountain temples.” Despite his urgent pleas, in 1913 the federal government approved San Francisco’s request to clear-cut and flood the valley for use as a reservoir. The decision horrified wilderness-lovers and helped spur the creation of the National Park Service and the international environmental conservation movement. Prior to its destruction, Hetch Hetchy Valley was one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world and home to thousands of plant and animal species. Muirs March is part of Restore Hetch Hetchys ongoing mission to return the Hetch Hetchy Valley to its natural splendor, while continuing to meet the water and power needs of all communities that depend on the Tuolumne River.

“Last year, record numbers of activists participated in Muirs March, helping to call attention to the devastation of — and the hope for — this rarest of natural treasures,” said Mike Marshall, executive director of the non-profit group Restore Hetch Hetchy. “As momentum grows to restore Yosemites Hetch Hetchy Valley, we have expanded the number and breadth of routes that follow Muirs footsteps from the Tilltill Valley to Muir Gorge to the waterfalls of the Tuolumne River.”

Muirs March participants can choose from 6 scenic treks, each led by an experienced guide, and varying in length from one to seven days, where they will enjoy stunning vistas, camaraderie, campfires and stories. Space is limited, so participants are encouraged to sign up early. The treks will converge August 4th atop the O’Shaughnessy Dam for a rally and celebration. Hikers each raise $ 90 or more* to participate and the funds will be used to support a campaign to educate San Francisco voters and lawmakers and win their approval for the restoration project. Hikers and backpackers of all skill levels and ages are welcome. Several of the trips are organized specifically for families.

The Muirs March Guided Treks:

“Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne” 7 days -

This is the most strenuous course and follows the Tuolumne River down into the Pate Valley, up to Table Lake, and then back down to the banks of the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. This is a 45.4-mile trek which includes Muir Gorge and Rancheria Falls. Many dramatic waterfalls are found in the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne.

Valley to Valley 7 days

A 42-mile journey beginning in Yosemite Valley. Marchers will experience some of the most scenic parts of the park as they follow the Yosemite Falls, El Capitan and the Middle Fork trails. The highlight of the hike is the spectacular view of the Hetch Hetchy Valley from the top of Smith Peak.

The Backcountry’s Backcountry 7 days -

This is a 46.1-mile trek, which begins outside the park at Twin Lakes. The first day, marchers will climb up over Buckeye Pass and then traverse the most remote section of Yosemite down through the spectacular Jack Main Valley.

Tilltill Out’n'Back 4 days -This is a 20-mile trip from O’Shaughnessy Dam, along the north end of the Valley, past the waterfalls, through Rancheria Falls to Tilltill Valley, and back along the same scenic route.

The Kids Trip 4 days -

This 15 mile trip is especially designed for families with young kids. We’ll begin at White Wolf and hike a short distance to Hardin Lake. After an afternoon swim and overnight stay, the trek meanders to Smith Meadow, where the intrepid drop their packs and hike to the top of Smith Peak to watch the sunset. The final day will require an early rise for the scenic trail to the O’Shaughnessy Dam.

Camping and One Day Hike August 3 and 4

This is a guided or self guided 3 mile roundtrip stroll out to Wapama Falls. Join marchers for 2 nights of camping, including “Muir’s Feast” on Friday night and the Restoration Picnic on Saturday to greet all the other hikers as they converge on OShaugnessy Dam.

Prospective participants can register or get more information by visiting http://www.muirsmarch.org or by calling 415-956-0401.

*Fundraising requirements vary according to hike length, from $ 90 to $ 2100. Hikes are 1, 4 and 7 days in length.

ABOUT RESTORE HETCH HETCHY: The mission of Restore Hetch Hetchy is to return the Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park to its natural splendor while continuing to meet the water and power needs of all communities that depend on the Tuolumne River.

IMAGES: High-resolution digital photographs of the Hetch Hetchy Valley, both before and after its flooding, and broadcast-quality video footage of the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir are available upon request. A map of the Muirs March routes is online at http://bit.ly/marchroutes.

INTERVIEWS: We will gladly arrange interviews with Restore Hetch Hetchy Executive Director Mike Marshall and others who have participated in Muir’s March.

Contact:

Media Relations

Melanie Webber, mWEBB Communications, (424) 603-4340, melanie(at)mwebbcom(dot)com

Angela Jacobson, mWEBB Communications, (714) 454-8776, angela(at)mwebbcom(dot)com

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ISPE announced today that the US FDAs Grace McNally will appear at the Societys upcoming Lessons from 483s: Enhancing Efficiency, Quality and cGMP Compliance Conference. McNally will add her expertise to that of other industry and regulatory experts at the two-day event, which will review recent regulatory citations (FDA-483s) and provide guidance on how the citations can be avoided. This conference will give pharmaceutical professionals the vital insights into regulatory issues they need in order to avoid the costly and damaging consequences that can result from 483 citations, such as recalls and plant shutdowns.

Educational content will address 483s in the context of biotech, oral solid dosage processing and containment, and process validation. The conference, part of ISPEs Facilities of the Future conference series, will take place in Tampa, Florida USA on 27 28 February 2012.

As the technical voice of manufacturing and engineering in the pharmaceutical industry, ISPE is committed to presenting programs that facilitate relevant dialogue and the sharing of best practices among industry leaders, manufacturing experts and leading regulators, said ISPEs new President and CEO Nancy Berg. At a time when manufacturing operations are under tremendous pressures to improve effectiveness, deliver quality and reduce costs, ISPE is responding with new programs and conference formats that feature dynamic and focused session content. Our events are developed to deliver information, discussion and networking that lead to new ideas, problem-solving and process improvement concepts that, when applied, have positive bottom-line results.

The event will feature three keynote presentations from experts in the pharmaceutical industry, including:

Michael Lewis, President, Eisai Product Creation Systems, USA
Small Molecule Researcher’s View to Facilities of the Future

Andy Skibo, Executive Vice President, MedImmune, USA
Biotech Perspective on Cost Effective Operations

Chaz Calitri, Vice President, Global Engineering, Pfizer, USA
2020 Vision – the Next Generation of Manufacturing Facilities

The conference will contain three distinct tracks:

A Biotech track led by Wendy Lambert, Director Pharma Business Support, Abbott, USA, Steven Miller, Director, Process Eng, MedImmune, USA, and Andrew Skibo, Executive Vice President, Operations, MedImmune, USA.

An Oral Solid Dosage Processing and Containment track led by Paul Egee, Product Manager, IMA North America, USA, Alan George, Product Manager, ILC Dover Inc., USA, and Raymond Scherzer, PE, PM SET, LLC, USA.

A Process Validation track led by Joanne Barrick, Advisor, Global Validation Support, Eli Lilly & Co., USA.

For more information on this conference, including detailed agendas and registration information, visit http://www.ISPE.org/FacilitiesConference.

ISPE will also hold a related training course immediately following this conference. The course, titled Managing the Risk of Cross Contamination: Applying the Risk-MaPP Baseline? Guide will be held 29 February 1 March 2012 at the same venue. More information on this training course can be found at http://www.ISPE.org/2012-Tampa-Training.

About ISPE

ISPE, the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering, is a not-for-profit Society of 22,000 pharmaceutical professionals in 90 countries who use expert knowledge to create high-quality, cost-effective GMP solutions. ISPE is Connecting a World of Pharmaceutical Knowledge by providing Members with opportunities to develop their technical knowledge, exchange practical experience within their community, enhance their professional skills, and collaborate with global regulatory agencies and industry leaders. Founded in 1980, ISPE offers online learning opportunities for a global audience and has its worldwide headquarters in Tampa, Florida, USA; its European office in Brussels, Belgium; an Asia Pacific office in Singapore; and its newest office in Shanghai, China. Visit http://www.ISPE.org for additional Society news and information.

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The maverick and outspoken founder of Collegiate Nation, also known as the “Privacy Mom” is kicking off her 2012 “Occupy Privacy” campaign by urging all college students to support the push to defeat H.R. 1981. “The bill would order online service providers to keep records of everyone’s online activities, to help the government identify the web sites we visit and the content we post,” says the leader of Collegiate Nation, Evelyn Castillo-Bach.

“H.R. 1981 is un-American and a direct threat to every person who uses the internet. It assumes everyone is a potential criminal that must be tracked, logged and monitored. For college students, it’s a super-threat because more than anyone else they post volumes online,” says Castillo-Bach who founded Collegiate Nation to protect college students from what she calls “privacy vultures.”

Collegiate Nation — also known as GoCNCN.com — finds it especially objectionable that the provision that explicitly violates everyone’s privacy is embedded within a bill that is intended to catch child pornographers. “Everyone wants child pornographers caught and prosecuted. But it is an insult to tell Americans that they must all give up their online privacy so law enforcement can catch child pornographers,” says Castillo-Bach, who adds: “What’s next? Will they want to put surveillance cameras in everyone’s home to make sure no child is being exploited and abused? Any law that allows government to track innocent people belongs in countries ruled by terrorists and dictators and not in the United States.”

Collegiate Nation urges all college students to visit the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) website where they can easily send an electronic message to their representative in Congress to oppose passage of H.R. 1981. The call to action is titled: “Don’t Let Congress Order Internet Companies to Spy on You Block the Data Retention Mandate.” EFF is a donor-funded nonprofit. By mobilizing concerned citizens through its Action Center, EFF beats back bad legislation. In addition to advising policymakers, EFF educates the press and public.

Company Information:

Collegiate Nation is the first and only private social network exclusively for college students. It launched in late 2009 and was reviewed by Read Write Web and the New York Times in 2010. In late 2011, the site was totally redesigned to meet the demands of its student members who wanted more features. Today, the site is open to all college students with an edu address. Collegiate Nation is known for fiercely protecting the privacy rights of college students. It has banned ads, all third party apps and games because they are back doors to extracting private information. The founder of Collegiate Nation is Evelyn Castillo-Bach. She earned her M.S. in 1993 from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. She has traveled extensively in Ethiopia and in the Balkans, accompanying her Danish husband who is a lawyer.

View videos by Collegiate Nation

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The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) today announced the creation of a special Task Force to examine best practices in award notification and consumer information. This group will solicit feedback from the nations financial aid administratorsthe professionals most qualified to assess needs and desired outcomes when it comes to student aid information for familiesas well as consumer groups, students, and federal regulators. The task force will compile pertinent information, assess ways to improve or standardize elements of an award notification, and ultimately make recommendations for improvement.

Consumer groups, student advocates, regulators, and lawmakers have expressed concern about the transparency, accuracy, and clarity of student financial aid award notifications. In response to these concerns that award letters are confusing and difficult for students and families to understand and compare, several national initiatives have arisen:

— In 2008, Congress directed the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to develop a model format for aid officers to use when informing students about their financial aid packages, and deliver recommendations back to Congress for possible legislation.

— In September 2011, ED held a public hearing to conduct a panel discussion and generate discussion among attendees regarding improvements to student financial aid offer forms.

— In October 2011, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced that it too had launched an initiative to improve financial aid award information that is provided by schools to students.

We embrace these national initiatives to improve information on how to pay for college. In this environment, it is critical that the nations financial aid administrators come together to develop, adopt and implement best practices that will lead the movement toward greater transparency and accountability, said NASFAA President Justin Draeger. Students and families rely on us to guide them through this often-confusing process, and we take seriously our ethical responsibility to give them the very best information so they can make informed decisions about the institution they will attend and the amount of debt they will ultimately have to repay.

In addition to the Task Force, NASFAA has launched a Web Resource Center on this topic. This one-stop shop will be regularly updated with information about the higher education communitys efforts to improve award letters and empower students with useful information about paying for college. Other useful resources on the web center include:

— A guide for financial aid offices to create award letters that meet the needs of students and families

— An award letter comparison tool for students and parents

— NASFAAs detailed award letter recommendations submitted to the Department of Education

As the professionals charged with counseling students about paying for college, financial aid administrators have a critical policy development role to play here, said Douglas Levy, Task Force Chair and Director of Financial Aid at Michigan’s Macomb Community College. We are pleased to serve as thought-leaders in developing award letter best practices that give families the information they need to make good decisions and avoid unnecessary debt.

About NASFAA

The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) is a nonprofit membership organization that represents nearly 20,000 financial aid professionals at 2,800 colleges, universities, and career schools across the country. Each year, financial aid professionals help more than 16 million students receive funding for post secondary education. Based in Washington, D.C., NASFAA is the only national association with a primary focus on student aid legislation, regulatory analysis, and training for financial aid administrators. For more information, visit http://www.nasfaa.org.

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Vision Wireless, LLC (Vision), a conducting supplier of radiocommunication locomotion direction (WMM) solutions including radiocommunication telecom disbursal direction (TEM), announced nowadays that it has achieved the highest work-clothes client pride grade among all WMM and TEM provider as rated by endeavor client in AOTMPs 2011 State of the Industry survey. I am very pleased to stock that Vision achieved an unprecedented 9.78 work-clothes client pride mark on a criterion of 1-10, said Kevin Steffes, President and CEO of Vision. This underline our committedness to deliver a flexible engineering block coupled with work and maintenance that is characterized by reactivity and expertness.

Vision’s mark represents the highest evaluation ever recorded by AOTMP, stated Timothy C. Colwell, Senior Vice President of Global Information Management for AOTMP. One century pct (centred%) of Visions endeavour respondent rated their work-clothing pride degree as a 9 or 10 — the highest grade possibility — which illustrates that client are extremely satisfied with the engineering and service they receive from Vision.

Cyndi Listrom, Visions Vice President of Operations, said Visions continued direction on appearance authority and concern procedure tenderisation has resulted in our unique provider chart with all grade falling in the very highest reach. This is a testament to Visions barnburner in managing today increasingly diverse and composite endeavour river environment while delivering a food ROI for our client.

AOTMPs State of the Industry Report
AOTMP launched IT annual investigating survey examining endeavour pride with Telecom Expense Management (TEM) and Wireless Mobility Management (WMM) suppliers in January 2011. Input was received from maiden 1,066 capital executives, business professional and telecom operations leaders at U.S. and Global enterprises. All Fortune thou, Forbes Americas Largest Companies, thou+ Mid-Market Enterprises, and Government/Public Sector organizations were included in the study.

Sources at AOTMP confirmed that solon than centred different WMM and TEM suppliers were identified throughout the examined and endeavour were asked to rate their work-clothes pride with the provider(s) using a satisfaction scale of 1-10, with 1 being the lowest (Not At All Satisfied) and 10 being the highest (Highly Satisfied). Vision achieved the highest overall rating of 9.78 among all WMM and TEM provider including in the study, securing IT place as the industrys figure one WMM/TEM supplier.

Best-in-Class Attributes
Vision is known for IT knowledgeable, proactive work and for significantly reduction the cost, as excavation as the clip and attempt, incurred by our client, said Kevin Steffes, Visions President and CEO. Our manufacture-lead brine allows client to prevention clip and appropriation by outsourcing the direction and sustenance of their river environment. We deliver significant financial and operational economy to a client undersurface formation, leverage our advanced engineering block and proven try practice to automate locomotion direction.

Visions barnburner is fueled by IT balanced attack in delivering a flexible engineering block coupled with careerist, client-focused work and sustenance, said Jennifer Warren, Director of Sales for Vision. AOTMPs State of the Industry Report states Technology and mechanization are certainly critical component of any WMM or TEM programme; however, a provider planned attack for service and support client before, during and after the execution are just as important.

AOTMP also identified the followers Best-In-Class Attributes which are exhibited by many of the chapiter rated WMM and TEM provider. Our chapiter client pride evaluation illustrates that endeavor agree that Vision posse all of these Best-in-Class property, said Kevin Steffes, Visions President and CEO.

Responsive, Knowledgeable and Proactive Service Flexible Technology Platform and Reporting Features Professional, Customer-Focused Account Management and Support Teams Proven Ability to Significantly Reduce Costs, Time and Effort

About Vision
Vision is a lead supplier of radio locomotion direction (WMM) solutions, including radio telecom expense direction (TEM) and river instrumentality management (MDM), for enterprise and public sector clients of all sized. Vision leverage its possess advanced engineering and proven best practices to automate the business processes connected with roving instrumentality lifecycle management, delivering significant financial and operational benefits to IT client. Key characteristic of Visions comprehensive WMM/TEM solution include: eProcurement, Asset/Inventory Management, Custom Kitting and Pre-constellation of Devices and Mobile Applications, Change Management, Wireless Help Desk Services, and Wireless Telecom Expense Management. Learn more about Vision at HTTP://www.visionwirelessllc.com/.

About AOTMP
AOTMP, headquartered in Indianapolis, IN, is the lead supplier of information solutions for managing fixed and radio telecom environment. AOTMP’s proprietorship certification, benchmark, standard and effort practice deliver measurable tenderization in ratio and productiveness for managing radio, androglossia, and information service. From Fortune 50 company to SMB, enterprise quest the best instrument on telecom and IT service twist to AOTMP’s manufacture investigating, promulgation service, educational program and number direction scheme to achieve operational and financial ratio. For statesman info, visitation HTTP://www.aotmp.com.

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With some 4,000 lawsuits filed to date in various state and federal courts against a single maker of artificial hips, interest among lawyers to learn the finer points of such litigation is increasing, according to plaintiffs attorney Ellen Relkin, Esq., of the New York mass tort and personal injury litigation firm Weitz & Luxenberg PC.

The firm announced that Relkin will be on hand Dec. 8 to educate law colleagues about metal-on-metal hip-implant litigation when the American Association for Justice (AAJ) convenes a half-day seminar on that topic at the Hilton New York Hotel in Manhattan.

Relkin joins a number of other leading litigators from major law firms across the nation who, with her, will serve as seminar faculty, Weitz & Luxenberg indicated.

A past-chair of the AAJs section on Toxic, Environmental, and Pharmaceutical Torts and current co-chair of its Hydroxycut Litigation Group, Relkin in her day-to-day practice focuses on pharmaceutical, medical-device product liability and toxic-tort litigation, Weitz & Luxenberg said.

The AAJs educational event is billed as the “DePuy Hip Implant Seminar,” so named because DePuy Orthopaedics Inc. of Warsaw, Ind., is the medical-device manufacturer at the center of the many court cases, according to the National Law Journal in an article published Oct. 31 and entitled “Hips Will be Huge Next Year” by Amanda Bronstad.

“[There have been] about 3,500 lawsuits filed against DePuy over its ASR hip implants, which the company recalled on Aug. 24, 2010,” the National Law Journal reported. “About 93,000 patients worldwide have had the devices implanted one reason why plaintiffs’ attorneys predict the litigation will be huge….This year, hip-implant litigation has been a top subject at conferences for the plaintiffs’ bar across the country.”

Relkin, featured in that National Law Journal article, explained why many attorneys are interested in litigating against DePuy. “More than 2,200 cases involving the devices are pending in a federal multidistrict proceeding in Toledo, Ohio,” she told the national legal periodical, which added that “[o]n Dec. 7, [2010,] the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation centralized the litigation over the ASR hip implant before U.S. District Judge David Katz in Toledo [case number MDL 2197 U.S. District Court, Toledo, Ohio]. The plaintiffs’ executive committee is a six-member team co-chaired by Relkin….Thirteen lawyers sit on the plaintiffs’ steering committee, four on a science committee, six on a discovery committee and two on a law-and-motions committee.”

[One month after the article was published, the tally of Multidistrict Litigation filings had risen to nearly 3,000, Relkin said.]

“In the federal ASR litigation, more than C lawyers vied for four hours during a recent hearing for appointment to various plaintiffs’ leadership committees,” the National Law Journal wrote in summarizing foster remarks by Relkin, who was named co-lead counsel of that federal litigation. About 500 law tautened are involved in the litigation, the journal reported her as saying [that number has now reached 600 and includes firms from 46 states plus Puerto Rico].

“Typically, there are various dozen firms that really specialize in pharmaceutical and medical-device litigation….But because this was recalled and there were people all over the country having problems, many different lawyers have taken on the case,” she was cited as telling the publication.

Weitz & Luxenberg announced that it already has in suit 115 cased on behalf of patients whose DePuy ASR hip implants failing and that it expects to file several hundred more such cases in due course.

Weitz & Luxenberg said that it also currently represents numerous victims of the failed Zimmer Durom acetabular cup, another metal-on-metal mono-block hip implant. That litigation is centered in Federal court in New Jersey, where the Multidistrict Litigation is now pending. Relkin, certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Certified Civil Trial Attorney, is preparing Zimmer Durom Cup cases for trial in Newark, N.J.

At the upcoming DePuy Hip Implant Seminar, attendees will hear about plaintiff case-specific tactics, defense tactics, tips for jury selection, bellwether trial selection and the latest information concerning DePuy litigation, among other relevant matters, the AAJ disclosed. For more information about the seminar, visit http://www.justice.org/cps/rde/justice/hs.xsl/14762.htm

About Weitz & Luxenberg:

Founded in 1986 by attorneys Perry Weitz and Arthur Luxenberg, Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C., today ranks among the nations leading law firms. Weitz & Luxenbergs numerous litigation areas include: mesothelioma, defective medicine and devices, environmental pollutants, accidents, personal injury, and medical malpractice. Victims of accidents are invited to rely on Weitz & Luxenbergs more than 20 years of handling such cases begin by contacting the firms Client Relations department at 1-800-476-6070 or at clientrelations(at)weitzlux(dot)com and ask for a free legal consultation. More information: http://www.weitzlux.com

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