KENT, OH (07/06/2015)(readMedia)-- Carolyn Lake graduates from Kent State University with a Master of Science from the College of Communication and Information .

Carolyn is among the more than 4,500 students who received bachelor's, master's, doctoral, associate and educational specialist degrees during the 2015 Spring Commencement ceremony.

The university congratulates the class of 2015 and welcomes them into its illustrious family of over 222,000 alumni worldwide.

An economic impact study showed that Kent State alumni in Northeast Ohio generated $1.6 billion annually in higher workforce earnings and increased productivity for employers that hire them.

Kent State University, one of the nation's largest regional campus systems and Ohio's third largest public university, continues to do what matters -- educate and graduate students!

Kent State University is Northeast Ohio's leading public research university with more than 41,000 students. The university's eight-campus system is among the largest regional systems in the country. Today, Kent State has become an engine for economic, cultural and workforce development - locally and internationally - as one of the premier Ohio universities. The university is ranked among the nation's 74 public high-research universities and among the top 76 in community engagement by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. For more information about Kent State, visit www.kent.edu.

DES MOINES, IA (07/06/2015)(readMedia)-- With numerous ways to purchase Iowa State Fair tickets "Nothing Compares" to the fun found on the Fairgrounds August 13-23. For fairgoers planning ahead, the Iowa State Fair Ticket Office is now open to offer discounted tickets for admission, rides and more.

The Iowa State Fair Ticket Office, located in the Administration Building on the Fairgrounds, is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to Noon on Saturday. Walk-up orders will be available until August 6. Cash, check, money order, Visa, MasterCard or Discover are accepted. All offers good while supplies last.

Advance Admission

Adult and children's advance admission tickets are available at the Iowa State Fair Ticket Office, and online at iowastatefair.org as a print your own fee-free option. Adult advance admission tickets are just $8 (ages 12 and older; regularly $11), and children's admission tickets are $4 in advance (ages 6-11; regularly $5). Children ages 5 and under are admitted free every day. Tickets may also be purchased at participating Iowa Fareway Stores, Hy-Vee and Hy-Vee Drugstores. Online mail orders placed after Sunday, August 2, will not be mailed, but will be held at will call. Tickets are good any one Fair day.

Fairgoers can enjoy an even bigger benefit when buying early. Advance admission tickets have a coupon for a free small Potato Olé® at participating Iowa-area Taco John's. Coupon expires 9/30/15. See store for details.

Punch Cards

Buy a convenient Punch Card with 11 days of adult Fair admission for $88. Each punch is good for one admission to the Fair. Cards may be used by individuals or families. Punch Cards may be purchased at the Iowa State Fair Ticket Office or online at iowastatefair.org (a five percent processing fee applies). Punch Cards are only available until August 12 or while supplies last.

Fair Play Packs

This value-packed deal, including specials on admission, food and select rides, is perfect for employee incentives or Fair-loving families! Fair Play Packs are available for purchase now at the Iowa State Fair Ticket Office or online at iowastatefair.org (a five percent processing fee applies). Visit iowastatefair.org for details. Must be purchased by August 12 or while supplies last.

Midway Savings

Save on the Midway with a Midway Pack, which includes a set of five Midway ride tickets for only $14. Each ticket is good for one ride. Available now at the Iowa State Fair Ticket Office or online at iowastatefair.org (a five percent processing fee applies). Midway Mega Passes, good for unlimited rides any one Fair day, are also available. Visit iowastatefair.org for details. Fair admission must be purchased separately. Must be purchased by August 12 or while supplies last.

Food Tickets

Buy a set of five $1 food tickets good for food or beverage purchases at any Fairgrounds concession, excluding the Midway. Cost is $5 per set, and they may be purchased through the Iowa State Fair Ticket Office or online at iowastatefair.org (a five percent processing fee applies). Available while supplies last.

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Frequently ranked as one of the top events in the country, the Iowa State Fair is the single largest event in the state of Iowa and one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country. Annually attracting more than a million people from all over the world, the Iowa State Fair located at East 30th and East University, just 10 minutes from downtown Des Moines is Iowa's greatest celebration with a salute to the best in agriculture, industry, entertainment and achievement. "Nothing Compares" to the 2015 Iowa State Fair, August 13-23, 2015. For more information, visit www.iowastatefair.org.

ROCK ISLAND, IL (07/06/2015)(readMedia)-- Augustana College, Rock Island, Ill., held its spring commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 24. Executive director of Gallup Education, Brandon Busteed, delivered the commencement speech. Around 600 students participated in the ceremony.

Those graduating were given advice by Brandon Busteed, who said, "Talent is like a fingerprint, every human being has unique talents. The key is using yours to become the best you."

President of Augustana College, Steven Bahls, speaking on life after graduation, said, "Though you may be apprehensive about your future, you now have the skills and confidence to build rewarding lives of leadership and service." President Bahls added, "Augustana students do not shy away from deep intellectual conversations, nor are they afraid of great passion in their work. Augustana students are, in a word, awesome."

Representing the class of 2015, Ebony Allen spoke on what an education at Augustana has done for them. "The class of 2015 is full of rebels, class clowns, athletes -- intelligent, funny, caring and ambitious students," she said. "Students who have been accepted into grad programs nationwide. Students who have jobs waiting for them after we leave here today." In her final comments she said, "Though some of us may not know what we'll do after graduation, we face the future without fear, knowing Augustana -- our home, our alma mater -- has prepared us to be everything we want to be in life."

During the ceremonies, an honorary doctor of humane letters degree was presented to Brandon Busteed.

Among the graduates earning a bachelor of arts degree during the 2014-2015 academic year:

Leo Anderson of Rock Island (61201) graduated with a major(s) in business administration- management and accounting.

Megan Boedecker of Moline (61265) graduated with a major(s) in English and neuroscience.

Nichole Brammer of Davenport (52808) graduated with a major(s) in biology and pre-medicine.

Alexsis Brummet of Geneseo (61254) graduated cum laude with a major(s) in teaching math.

Carine Christal of Coal Valley (61264) graduated with a major(s) in business administration - marketing and communication studies.

Beth Cole of Muscatine (52761) graduated cum laude with a major(s) in chemistry.

Elizabeth Kuster of Bettendorf (52722) graduated with a major(s) in English- creative writing.

Collin Leigh of Hampton (61256) graduated with a major(s) in business administration - finance.

Angela Norton of Rock Island (61201) graduated with a major(s) in biology.

Erin White of Geneseo (61254) graduated cum laude with a major(s) in biology.

Katelyn Benge of Bettendorf (52722) graduated with a major(s) in biology and neuroscience.

Erin Gehn of Rock Island (61201) graduated with a major(s) in applied mathematics.

Shai Gonzales of Davenport (52804) graduated with a major(s) in political science.

Christopher Hildreth of Rock Island (61201) graduated with a major(s) in business administration - management.

Sarah Kerres of Taylor Ridge (61284) graduated with a major(s) in accounting and business administration- finance.

Nicholas Krantz of Moline (61265) graduated with a major(s) in graphic design.

Alison Niebuhr of Moline (61265) graduated with a major(s) in geography and environmental studies.

Michael Zeitler of East Moline (61244) graduated with a major(s) in teaching math.

Alexander Anderson of Geneseo (61254) graduated with a major(s) in business administration - finance and accounting.

April Anderson of Davenport (52803) graduated cum laude with a major(s) in Asian studies.

Jessica Bacon of Rock Island (61201) graduated magna cum laude with a major(s) in elementary education.

Hassan Baig of Moline (61265) graduated cum laude with a major(s) in religion.

Kyle Bennett of Davenport (52804) graduated with a major(s) in environmental studies and geography.

Courtney Camlin of Rock Island (61201) graduated with a major(s) in neuroscience.

Brandee Cole of Davenport (52722) graduated cum laude with a major(s) in pre-medicine and biology.

Alyssa Copeland of Davenport (52806) graduated with a major(s) in communication studies.

Gabrielle Council of Moline (61265) graduated with a major(s) in biology and pre-medicine.

Haley Fox of Davenport (52804) graduated with a major(s) in business administration - management.

Catherine Gehrmann of Bettendorf (52722) graduated with a major(s) in biochemistry.

Nicholas Hansen of Rock Island (61201) graduated with a major(s) in political science.

Christine Harb of Davenport (52807) graduated cum laude with a major(s) in biology and pre-medicine.

Nicholas Hoepfner of East Moline (61244) graduated with a major(s) in biology.

Brandon Jasper of De Witt (52742) graduated with a major(s) in business administration - management.

Samantha Kammerman of Milan (61264) graduated with a major(s) in psychology.

Katherine Karstens of Moline (61265) graduated cum laude with a major(s) in business administration - finance and accounting.

Reed Kottke of Davenport (52804) graduated cum laude with a major(s) in applied mathematics and computer science.

Elizabeth LaBotte of Moline (61265) graduated cum laude with a major(s) in political science.

Christopher Madison of Davenport (52804) graduated with a major(s) in graphic design.

Bailey McChesney of Rock Island (61201) graduated with a major(s) in communication studies.

Samantha McGreer of Illinois City (61259) graduated magna cum laude with a major(s) in pre-medicine and biochemistry.

Elyzia Powers of Silvis (61282) graduated with a major(s) in psychology.

Sarah Riedel of Long Grove (52756) graduated with a major(s) in creative writing.

Benjamin Rudy of Geneseo (61254) graduated with a major(s) in biology.

Cammie Ruhl of Moline (61265) graduated with a major(s) in biology and neuroscience.

Ingrid Schneider of Davenport (52804) graduated with a major(s) in music general and psychology.

Christian Schroeder of Coal Valley (61240) graduated with a major(s) in computer science and business administration - management information systems.

Andrew Shearouse of Coal Valley (61240) graduated summa cum laude with a major(s) in business administration - management information systems and computer science.

Roman Shepard of Rock Island (61201) graduated with a major(s) in anthropology.

Rosalie Starenko of Rock Island (61201) graduated cum laude with a major(s) in geography and Spanish.

Hali Strobel of Port Byron (61275) graduated with a major(s) in pre-medicine.

Anthony TouVelle of Bettendorf (52722) graduated cum laude with a major(s) in German and international business.

Jessica Tuckey of Moline (61265) graduated with a major(s) in biology.

Samantha Turner of Rock Island (61201) graduated with a major(s) in history and anthropology.

Rachel Vens of Bettendorf (52722) graduated with a major(s) in business administration - finance.

Daniel Zahn of Moline (61265) graduated with a major(s) in geography.

Founded in 1860, Augustana College is a selective four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences. The college is recognized for the innovative program Augie Choice, which provides each student up to $2,000 to pursue a high-impact learning experience such as study abroad, an internship or research with a professor. Current students and alumni include 158 Academic All-Americans, a Nobel laureate, 13 college presidents and other distinguished leaders. The college enrolls 2,500 students and is located along one of the world's most important waterways, the Mississippi River, in a community that reflects the diversity of the United States.

DES MOINES, IA (07/06/2015)(readMedia)-- Join the Blue Ribbon Foundation for "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year," at the 19th annual Corndog Kickoff Benefit Auction and Fair Food Grazing Party, Saturday, July 11 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Doors to the William C. Knapp Varied Industries Building will open at 6:30 p.m. for a "Christmas in July" night filled with exciting gift-worthy auction packages, entertainment and all of your favorite Fair foods. Get in the spirit for the 2015 Iowa State Fair while raising funds to renovate and restore the historic Fairgrounds!

Since its inception in 1997, the Kickoff has raised more than $4 million for Fairgrounds renovations. Last year's event drew a crowd of 1,800, raising a record high $424,000! All proceeds go toward the renovation and restoration of the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Highlights from this year's 27 live and 205 silent auction packages include :

• Blown Away - You'll be blown away by Carrie Underwood's singing talent at her sold out concert. Four tickets in the front row to see Carrie Underwood with Michael Ray on Monday, August 17 at 8:00 p.m. This package includes backstage passes for four to meet Carrie, gate admission for four and one parking pass.

• Deer Season - Here's an opportunity to have an out-of-state hunting buddy join you during deer season.
  One out-of-state deer tag good for any of the 2015-2016 or 2016-2017 hunting seasons; shotgun, bow or muzzle loading.

• Paint the Fair - This is your chance to host a social painting class at the Iowa State Fair. Up to ten people will meet near Grandfather's Barn to paint a Fair picture on Thursday, August 20. Enjoy 20 drink tickets from Top of the Vine for featured Iowa wines, beers and sodas in their new venue by Grandfather's Barn.

• One of a Kind Party - An event at the one-of-a kind Stine Barn in West Des Moines is one your guests will always remember. With its beautiful décor, massive fireplace and expansive patios overlooking a perfectly situated pond, it's an ideal venue. It'll be one of the easiest events you've hosted with event planning, catering, flowers, cupcakes, photography and DJ services at your disposal.

All inclusive Corndog Kickoff tickets are $100. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Blue Ribbon Foundation at (800)450-3732, online at www.BlueRibbonFoundation.org or at the door the night of the event.

The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Since its inception in 1993, the Foundation has generated more than $110 million for renovations to the Iowa State Fairgrounds. For more information on the Corndog Kickoff, please contact the Foundation at (800) 450-3732 or bluerf@blueribbonfoundation.org.

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