Community leaders, WIU representatives and Rock Island School District administrators and staff will be on hand for the announcement.

For more information or to confirm attendance contact Tami Seitz, director of marketing at Western Illinois University-Quad Cities at (309)762-9481 or TS-Seitz@wiu.edu.

OMAHA, NE (09/03/2013)(readMedia)-- Thirteen Creighton University Arts and Sciences students who received 2013 Ferlic Research Scholarships will present their original research findings from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 24. A formal program acknowledging their efforts will begin at 5:15 p.m.

The eighth annual event is open to the public and will take place in the Suzanne and Walter Scott Jr. Atrium of the Hixson-Lied Science Building on the campus of Creighton University.

The presentations contain overviews of what the students discovered and the critical thinking they applied to these topics representing basic science research in biology, chemistry and physics. Students worked alongside faculty mentors at least 40 hours a week for 10 weeks. Faculty members guided them in research planning; taught them how to conduct their research; and worked with them on how to communicate the results.

Elizabeth Hines of Davenport worked with Biology professor Mary Ann Vinton on The Current State of Deciduous Forests in the Central Midwest: A Historical and Comprehensive Examination of Proposed Trends of Species Composition Change and Decline.

The undergraduate research projects are made possible by the generosity and support of Randolph M. Ferlic, M.D., his wife, Teresa Kolars Ferlic, Ruth and Bill Scott and others. Ferlic earned his Bachelor of Science degree at Creighton in 1958 and graduated from the Creighton School of Medicine in 1961. The Ferlics are ardent supporters of higher education in Nebraska.

Each of the student scholars received a research stipend as well as access to state-of-the-art laboratories, simulation centers, microscopes and other equipment, facilities and supplies to perform full-time research project.

"FPSPI  selected Ames and Iowa State University because it is a beautiful, safe and welcoming community that has a variety of facilities, entertainment options and the support of both the university and the community, to make our international conference a success," said Marianne Solomon, executive director for the Future Problem Solving Program International. "Ames and Iowa State also have the professional event staff and volunteers who will take care of all the details and provide the services that will make our event run smoothly and be an enjoyable experience for everyone."

The Future Problem Solving Program International gives thousands of students the opportunity to practice creative problem solving within the given curriculum and develop leadership and creative thinking skills. The event will bring students from across the United States and from countries around the world to Iowa State University to compete in the event. The participating countries include Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Turkey and the United States.

Students in grades 4 through 12 will compete within three components including Global Issues Problem Solving, Community Problem Solving and Scenario Writing, competing either as individuals or as teams. Each component gives students the opportunity to apply research, writing skills, academics, research and problem solving skills to hypothetical and real life scenarios and issues. During this event, there will be opportunities for the community to enjoy the students' hard work. There will be a community fair and a variety show that the public is encouraged to attend.

"As a youth-focused educational conference, the Future Problem Solving International Conference is an event we are very excited to host in Ames and at Iowa State University," said Julie Weeks, director of the Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Conference Planning and Management. "The event is expected to bring 2,000 attendees and hundreds of additional visitors to the Ames community for an average of five nights each year during June 2014 and 2015."

"We are very excited that Iowa State University and Ames will be the host for the international conference in 2014 and 2015," said Karen Dadisman, affiliate director, Iowa Future Problem Solving Program." It is very fitting that we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Future Problem Solving Program International in Iowa in 2014, since Iowa was one of the original states to participate in this program."

For more information, visit www.fpspi.org or www.iowafutureproblemsolving.com

For more information, please contact:

Julie Weeks                          Shawne Ungs

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach,                             Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau

Conference Planning and Management and                                Communications Manager

Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau                         515.956.4602

Director                       shawneu@amescvb.com

515.956.4600

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN (08/29/2013)(readMedia)-- About 13,600 Purdue University students earned semester honors for the spring 2013 semester.

To earn semester honors, students must be attending at least half-time, have at least a 3.5 semester grade point average and at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA.

Students earning semester honors include :

Daniel Romano of Bettendorf, Iowa

Jodi K LeMaster of East Moline, Illinois

Roy Fisher of Taylor Ridge, Illinois

Rachel Muur of Sterling, Illinois

Kimberly Ann Gass of Moline, Illinois

Purdue University is a vast laboratory for discovery. The university is known not only for science, technology, engineering, and math programs, but also for our imagination, ingenuity, and innovation. Founded in 1869 in West Lafayette, Indiana, the university proudly serves its state as well as the nation and the world. Academically, Purdue's role as a major research institution is supported by top-ranking disciplines in pharmacy, business, engineering, and agriculture. More than 39,000 students are enrolled here. All 50 states and 130 countries are represented. Add about 850 student organizations and Big Ten Boilermaker athletics, and you get a college atmosphere that's without rival.