Education In Brief

University of Iowa

The University of Iowa recently welcomed its most academically accomplished class in the 172-year history of the school, which includes a former local student.

Among UI’s Class of 2023, which consists of a little less than 5,000 students, is Kade Kalinske, a first-year student in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences who is from Santa Clarita.

Kalinske and his peers in this fall’s incoming undergraduate class topped previous records in achievement as they secured a higher average high school grade point average than any other previous class, school officials said in a news release.

“Coming to the UI is going to be life-changing for these students,” said Montserrat Fuentes, UI executive vice president and provost. “They are going to have amazing opportunities here, and we are committed to making sure they have the resources and support they need to achieve their goals . ... I am so excited to see where their journey will take them.”

Colgate University

Former Valencia High School student Jake Gomez was recognized with a Dean’s Award with Distinction at Colgate University for his work during the spring 2019 semester.

Gomez, a member of the Colgate University Class of 2021, earned the spring 2019 Dean’s Award with Distinction after completing at least three courses during the term with a grade-point average of 3.6 or higher, according to school officials. Gomez is a graduate of Valencia High School and is from Castaic.