CONWAY 28528, SC (02/03/2015)(readMedia)-- Approximately 2,125 students have made the Fall 2014 Dean's List for academic achievement at Coastal Carolina University.

They include :

Nicklaus Atwell, a Sophomore majoring in Management, of Bettendorf, IA

Alexis Flynn, a Sophomore majoring in Exercise and Sport Science, of Davenport, IA

Coastal Carolina University is a dynamic, public comprehensive liberal arts institution located in Conway, just minutes from the resort area of Myrtle Beach, S.C. The University offers 67 areas of study toward the baccalaureate degree and eight master's degree programs in accountancy, business administration, education, marine and wetland studies, and writing. The University is offering its first Ph.D. program, in marine science, in fall 2014.

More than 9,900 students from across the country and the world interact with a world-class faculty, and enjoy a nationally competitive NCAA I athletic program, an inspiring cultural calendar, and a tradition of community interaction that is fueled by more than 180 student clubs and organizations.

Coastal Carolina University was founded in 1954 as Coastal Carolina Junior College and became an independent state university in 1993.

MOLINE, Ill. (February 3, 2015) - The Quad City Mallards will move to the ECHL's Midwest Division where they will renew their rivalries with the Fort Wayne Komets and Evansville IceMen next season as part of a league-wide realignment announced today by the ECHL.

The Mallards will be joined in the five-team Midwest Division by not only Fort Wayne and Evansville but also by the Cincinnati Cyclones and Indy Fuel.  The 28-team ECHL goes from four seven-team divisions this season to six divisions of four or five teams split into two conferences in 2015-16.

"Realignment gives us the chance to reengage and build on already existing rivalries, including a historic rivalry with Fort Wayne that dates back a decade and a half, and write new chapters with natural geographic rivals in Cincinnati and Indianapolis," said Mallards president Bob McNamara.  "Our transition to the ECHL this season has been a big success both on and off the ice and now with realignment and four strong division rivals on the way, the stage is set for another great season next year."

The Mallards and Komets have battled against each other in four different leagues- the United Hockey League, International Hockey League, Central Hockey League and ECHL- since first colliding in 1999.  Most memorably, the two clubs met in the 2003 UHL finals with the Komets taking the title.  The Mallards and IceMen first locked horns as members of the CHL in 2010-11 and 2011-12. 

The Mallards met Cincinnati for the first time ever earlier this season.  The Cyclones scored one-goal wins at the iWireless Center on October 31 and November 1.  The Mallards have never played against the expansion Fuel, which is in its first year of existence.

The Midwest Division next season will be part of the Western Conference along with the Central and West Divisions while the Eastern Conference will be comprised of the North, East and South Divisions.  The division winners will earn the top three playoff seeds in each conference while the teams with the next five highest point totals in each conference will also qualify for the postseason.

The Mallards this season are competing in the Central Division with the six teams- the Allen Americans, Brampton Beast, Missouri Mavericks, Rapid City Rush, Tulsa Oilers and Wichita Thunder- who moved with them from the CHL to the ECHL just prior to the start of the campaign.

McNamara and Mallards coach and general manager Terry Ruskowski will address the ECHL's realignment and the Mallards' new division in a press conference at 12:30 p.m. Thursday at R.I.A. Federal Credit Union in Bettendorf.  R.I.A. is located at 4217 Utica Ridge Road.

The Mallards return to action tonight on the road against the Missouri Mavericks.  The Mallards next play at home Friday night at 7:05 p.m. against the Wichita Thunder.

Friday brings the return of $1 Dog/$1 Beer Night presented by 97X and MetroLINK.  Fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs and beers from iWireless Center concession stands during all Friday home games.

The Mallards have partnered with Metro to provide transit service between Augustana College and downtown Moline during Friday home games.  Students can catch the Route 10 on campus via 7th Avenue to and from games, with the Route 10 dropping students off near campus or in the District after games.  Students can then take the Route 53 from the District back to Augustana until 3 a.m.  As part of Metro's unlimited ride program, Augustana riders can use their Augustana ID as their fare.  Fans can visit www.gogreenmetro.com or www.facebook.com/53and59 for more information.

In addition, for Friday home games the Mallards have joined with Rooster's Sports Bar & Grill in Rock Island to offer fans the chance to get a lower level ticket to the Mallards' game along with an appetizer and drink at Rooster's and a Metro bus ride to the game from Rooster's and back for just $20.  For more information fans can contact Rooster's at 309-283-7005.

Tickets for all remaining Mallards regular season home games- including Friday night's contest- are on sale now at the iWireless Center box office, Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000.  The box office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.  Tickets are available for $10, $16, $20 and $28.

 

About the Quad City Mallards
A proud affiliate of the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, the Quad City Mallards are in the midst of their eighteenth season and their first in the ECHL.  One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the United Hockey League from 1995 through 2007; in the International Hockey League in 2009-10; and in the Central Hockey League from 2010 through 2014.  The Mallards' proud history has seen them capture the UHL's Colonial Cup Championship three times (1997, 1998, 2001) and secure that league's Tarry Cup four times (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002) for the best overall regular season record.  In 2001, the Mallards made professional hockey history, recording their sixth consecutive season with 50 or more wins, a feat that has yet to be matched.  The iWireless Center provides a unique environment for hockey and features one-of-a-kind seating areas such as the Nest for groups and functions and the exclusive Drake Club.  For more information on the Quad City Mallards or for Mallards tickets go to www.myqcmallards.net.  Fans can also follow the Mallards via Twitter at twitter.com/myqcmallards and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/qcmallards.

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AT SAM'S FARGO LOUNGE SUNDAY FEBRUARY 8TH AT 5 PM

--PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD NEW THIS YEAR

Iowa/Illinois Quad Cities - The 26^th Annual MCC QC Chili Cookoff will take place at Sam's Fargo Lounge on Avenue of the Cities in Moline and the public is invited to come and enjoy all you can eat chili and fixings and homemade desserts for just $7. And this year your admission entitles you to vote for the "People's Choice" chili as well!

There is no additional cost to enter your chili in the contest, which is judged by three independent judges. The church offers $100 for first place, $50 for second place and first, second and third place ribbons. There is also no charge for entering the cookie contest; just bring at least a dozen cookies - whether drop cookies or bar cookies or any other type of cookie. First, second and third place ribbons and bragging rights go with the cookie contest.

This year's judges are James Zahara, Channel 8 meteorologist; Ron "Toto" Johnson, professional clown; and Melissa Nordenson, HyVee Chef and culinary student at Scott Community College.

Pastor Rich Hendricks says, "This is our big annual fundraiser for MCC QC. Now that we are in our new facility, we are learning just how expensive it is to operate, as well as pay for our mortgage!

The annual Chili Cook-Off will be held on Sunday, February 9th beginning at 5 p.m. at Fargo Lounge, 4204 Avenue of the Cities, Moline, Illinois. Doors open at 4:30 and all entries must arrive prior to 5:00 p.m. to be included as the chili judging takes place promptly at 5:15 p.m. For more information, please call the Church office at 563.324.8281.

MCC QC: tearing down walls & building up hope!

where you and your spiritual journey are welcome

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad today appointed Beth Townsend the director of Iowa Workforce Development.  Townsend has been serving as acting director of the department since Jan. 11, 2015, when former director Teresa Wahlert retired. Townsend previously served as the Director of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. A photo of Townsend can be found here.

"As the Director of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Beth put in place work standards and accountability measures to ensure employees were no longer making up nasty nicknames for each other and using personal emails while at work," said Branstad. "As director of Iowa Workforce Development, I'm confident Beth will vigorously work to continue our efforts to help job creators find a talented and capable workforce."

"Beth shares our administration's commitment to job creation and ensuring Iowa workers have the skills to fill the careers of tomorrow," said Iowa Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds. "Beth's dedication to public service and dedication to closing the middle-skills jobs gap will serve her well as the director of Iowa Workforce Development."

Iowa Workforce Development contributes to the economic security of Iowa's workers, businesses and communities through a comprehensive statewide system of employment services, education and regulation of health, safety and employment laws. The department aims to lead Iowa's workforce by empowering workers and businesses to succeed in a dynamic global economy.

Townsend has worked in private practice at Townsend Law Office, where she represented individuals before the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, federal and state jurisdictions in the area of civil rights and employment law. Before moving to Iowa, Townsend spent over 11 years as a Judge Advocate General in the United States Air Force where she served in a variety of positions including as a prosecutor and a defend counsel of airmen in trials by courts-martial.  As a reservist, Townsend finished her service as a Military Trial Judge.  She retired in 2010 after almost 21 years of service.

Townsend earned a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Nebraska-Kearney and a Juris Doctor degree from University of Nebraska. Townsend resides in Granger, Iowa. She has one son.

Townsend's appointment is effective immediately and is subject to Iowa Senate confirmation.

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