The University of Iowa’s part-time MBA for Professionals and Managers was ranked 31st among part-time graduate management programs in U.S. News & World Report’s annual ranking of part-time MBAs. It was ranked 18th among public schools and was the only program in the state to make the list. The Tippie MBA-PM program is offered in three locations around Iowa: in downtown Des Moines, at the John and Mary Pappajohn Education Center; downtown Cedar Rapids; and in the Quad Cities at the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport. Read about the expanded offerings at the Des Moines location by clicking here.

The Greater Des Moines Partnership and the Ames Chamber of Commerce are seeking participants for their business mission trip to China in September. They will hold informational webinars about the trip from April 27-29, May 4-6 and May 11-13. To register for the webinars go to www.desmoinesmetro.com/internationalprograms. Discounted trip registration ends April 30, with final registration due by May 25.

The Iowa Virtual Reality Education Pathways (I-VREP) Showcase on Thursday, April 29 will demonstrate for Iowa schools and business leaders the efforts of a learning program based of the use of virtual reality. The keynote speaker will be David Williams, director of the Microsystems Science, Technology and Components Center at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, N.M. The showcase is from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the FFA Building on DMACC’s Ankeny Campus. To read a past story about a plan by Jack Harris, leader of the I-VREP program, to use virtual reality systems to teach students all across Iowa, click here.

Des Moines-based social media strategy firm Lava Row has partnered with Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield to assist with the organization’s external social media marketing initiatives in 2010. “Social networks and online communities represent untapped business opportunities for the insurance industry, and we’re excited to help guide Wellmark into this evolving space,” said Nathan Wright, founder of Lava Row, in a release.

A bank and Greater Des Moines developer are vying for control of the Keck City Center at 5th and Grand avenues as the result of a bankruptcy filing. Dan Stanbrough LC filed for financial reorganization under federal bankruptcy law on April 23. The company, controlled by developer Daniel Stanbrough, claimed assets of $6 million and debts of nearly $5.6 million. On Monday, Regions Bank filed a motions asking a bankruptcy judge to appoint a receiver to manage the building and to prevent Stanbrough’s company from having control of rents and profits from operation of the building. Regions filed a lawsuit seeking the foreclosure and sell of the property in January, claiming that Dan Stanbrough LC defaulted on a $5.1 million loan to purchase the building because it did not pay property taxes and failed to maintain a minimum liquidity position of $550,000. A Polk County judge appointed a receiver for the property on April 1. However, the bankruptcy filing protects Dan Stanbrough LC from the case in state court and prohibits other creditors from attempting to collect debts. Under reorganization, the company can continue to operate as it sorts out its financial difficulties.

Ames-based NewLink Genetics Corp. announced favorable results for initial drug trials of a new immunotherapy-based treatment for patients with advanced cases of lung cancer. “This trial was the first to test this type of immunotherapy in patients, and we are quite encouraged by the findings,” said lead investigator Dr. John C. Morris, co-director of clinical trials with the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Md. “This study showed that HyperAcute-Lung cancer immunotherapy is feasible, safe, and associated with favorable survival in patients with previously-treated, advanced non-small cell lung cancer.” Read more.

The Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA) honored Luke Lammer of Marion, who was one of nine candidates nationwide who were honored for their exceptional scores on the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam taken by 4,300 accountants during the Fall 2009 period. Lammer earned a certificate of distinguished performance. “The ICMA Board of Regents congratulates the recipients of these prestigious awards,” said Joseph A. Vincent, CMA, ICMA Board of Regents chair, in a release. “The CMA program has always been a rigorous, relevant, and respected designation. With the changes to the program announced in late 2009, the CMA certification places even greater emphasis on such in-demand skills as financial planning, analysis, control, and decision support.”