DES MOINES, IA (06/03/2015)(readMedia)-- The Big Boar, Big Ram and Super Bull competitions at the Iowa State Fair are always a favorite, but 'Nothing Compares' to the bigger stakes in 2015. All Big Animal Contests have significantly increased premium prizes for the 2015 competitions

The Big Ram competition takes place on August 13 at noon in the Sheep Barn, while the Big Boar contest takes place at 1 p.m. the same day in the Swine barn. The lucky owners of the heaviest animals in each competition will take home a record $1,000 prize, up from $350 in 2014. Second place in each competition will also receive $500.

The Super Bull contest will be judged at 7 p.m. Thursday, August 13 in the Pioneer Livestock Pavilion sponsored by Prairie Meadows with the heaviest bull bringing home a record $1,750, up from $750 in 2014. Second and third place winners will also receive $650 and $400 prizes, respectively. Plus, an additional $1,000 will be paid to any Super Bull exhibitor who can break the 3,404 pound record set in 2009.

Big Animal Contest Entries are due August 1 and must be submitted by mail. Entrants are limited to one animal per exhibitor. For questions about the contests, contact the Iowa State Fair Competitive Events Department at 515-262-3111, ext. 207 or visit http://www.iowastatefair.org/competition/categories/.

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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.

ROCHESTER, NY (06/03/2015)(readMedia)-- Emma Nelson of Moline was inducted into Rochester Institute of Technology's Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society on May 18. Nelson is a software engineering major in RIT's B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences.

Alpha Sigma Lambda was founded in 1964 to honor students who represent the guiding principles of ASL: Activities, Scholarship and Leadership. Recipients must be a senior in an undergraduate program and have at least a 3.4 cumulative GPA.

Nominees are judged on the basis of scholarship, active participation and contributions in activities, and leadership in academic and co-curricular student activities. Service to the community is also considered.

Rochester Institute of Technology is home to leading creators, entrepreneurs, innovators and researchers. Founded in 1829, RIT enrolls 18,000 students in more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs, making it among the largest private universities in the U.S.

The university is internationally recognized and ranked for academic leadership in business, computing, engineering, imaging science, liberal arts, sustainability, and fine and applied arts. RIT also offers unparalleled support services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The cooperative education program is one of the oldest and largest in the nation. Global partnerships include campuses in Croatia, Dubai and Kosovo.

For news, photos and videos, go to www.rit.edu/news.

Quad Cities - On June 13-21, more than twenty museums from across the Quad Cities region will welcome visitors for a week-long adventure of fun activities, great discoveries, and exploration.  Don't miss the first-ever Quad Cities Museum Week!  Information on participating museums and their events can be found at www.qcmuseumweek.com.

Quad Cities Museum Week is for everyone!  Enjoy this celebration of the region's museums and participate in special activities, exhibits and promotions during this fun-filled week.  Each museum features its own, unique theme, history, galleries, and exhibits.  Come and discover these wonderful gems!

Area museums also encourage you to tweet and post about your museum experiences on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.  Use hashtag #QCMUSEUMS!

What you can expect to find:

·        Underground Tunnel Tour - Deere-Wiman House

·        Emancipation and Its Legacies Exhibit - Davenport Freemont Library

·        Driving Tour - Buffalo Bill Museum, Buffalo Bill Cody Homestead, Dan Nagle Walnut Pioneer Village, Alexander Brownlie Sod House

·        Behind the Scenes Art Tours - Augustana College - Augustana Teaching Museum of Art

·        Catich Gallery Art Exhibition - St. Ambrose University

·        Buckskinners Rendezvous and House Tours - Colonel Davenport House

·        Archives & Communities' Education Display - Davenport School Museum

·        Rainforest Exhibit and Kids Yard Sale - Family Museum

·        Highlight Tour, Free Family Day, PechaKucha Night presentation, Print Sale - Figge Art Museum

·        A Look at the Book Exhibit - German American Heritage Center

·        Guided House Tours - Hauberg Center

·        History Presentations - Black Hawk State Historic Site - John Hauberg Indian Museum

·        Kids Scavenger Hunt and truck films - Iowa 80 Trucking Museum

·        Presidents of the Continental Congress manuscript exhibit - Karpeles Manuscript Museum

·        Rock Island Arsenal Exhibit, D-Day 3D Documentary, Family Science Night - Putnam Museum

·        Masonic Temple and chiropractic museum self-guided -  Palmer College of Chiropractic

·        Made in Rock Island County Exhibit - Atkinson-Peek Historical House- Rock Island County Historical Society

·        "Vietnam War" Exhibit - Rock Island Arsenal Museum

"Even if you can't make one of the special events or activities taking place, the museums are open and ready to welcome you all during Museum Week and throughout the year," says Charlotte Doehler-Morrison, VP Marketing & Communications, Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau.  "This is a great opportunity to spend time exploring our wonderful museums with families and friends."

Quad Cities Museum Week was created through collaboration between area museums and the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau.  The event is designed to showcase the wealth of museums in the Quad Cities region and to create a greater awareness about what each museum has to offer to a variety of audiences throughout the year.