Ohio State News Tips - April 28, 2014

Ohio State’s Buffington to talk ‘Cat Mastery,’ new book for iPad, with Redditors today. Ohio State feline behavior expert Tony Buffington will kick off the release of his new Multi-Touch book for iPad, "Reddit, at 1:30 p.m. on April 28.

Buffington, a D.V.M. and professor of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at The Ohio State University, has spent the past 30 years studying cats and how their environment affects their health. He is founder of the Indoor Cat Initiative website, which features strategies for keeping indoor-housed cats happy and healthy. He has authored more than 100 scientific publications, 30 book chapters, and three books, and has received numerous national and international awards for his efforts on behalf of understanding cats

“I am thrilled to be able to utilize this technology, making years of research available to help cats and their owners live happy, healthy lives together,” said Buffington. “Enriching your cat’s environment can help prevent many health and behavior problems. I’m looking forward to the AMA and to helping people better understand their feline friends.” CONTACT: Melissa Weber, (614) 292-3752, weber.254@osu.edu.

11th Annual Patterson Lecture features former APLU president - May 1. The 11th Annual James F. Patterson Land-Grant University Lecture, featuring Dr. C. Peter Magrath, former president of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), is Thursday, May 1 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Ohio Union, Archie Griffin West Ballroom 1739 N. High St.
Magrath's extensive higher education administration experience includes serving as president of Binghamton University from 1972-1974; president of the four-campus University of Minnesota for 10 years; and president of the University of Missouri System from 1985-1992. APLU established the C. Peter Magrath Community Engagement Award in his honor, funded by the Kellogg Foundation, to recognize the outreach and engagement partnership efforts of four-year public universities.
The lecture honors former Board of Trustees member James Patterson and the cause to which he is most committed, a vibrant university fulfilling its land-grant mission in an ever-changing world. The 2nd Annual Ohio State University Outreach and Engagement Forum will take place immediately following the Patterson Lecture in the Ohio Union. The forum will be a poster exhibition featuring more than 120 outreach and engagement initiatives from across the university and community. SEE: http://go.osu.edu/pattersonlecture. CONTACT: Ben Lewis, (614) 247-7100, lewis.485@osu.edu.

Ohio State will award diplomas to more than 10,000 – May 4. More than 10,000 students will receive their diplomas in Ohio Stadium on May 4 and become the next generation of leaders. The graduates, who are among the brightest in the university’s history, enter the stadium at noon. The ceremony celebrates the academic achievements, dedication and commitment that each student has put forth to earn his or her degree. Diplomas will be given individually to each graduate during a single ceremony, a practice rarely attempted by a university the size of Ohio State.
Chris Matthews, host of Hardball on MSNBC, will deliver the commencement address. Also during the commencement ceremony, honorary doctorates will be presented to Matthews and Barry Bloom, the Joan L. and Julius H. Jacobson Professor of Public Health in the Harvard School of Public Health.
Distinguished Service Awards will be presented to Mac A. Stewart, former vice provost for Ohio State’s Office of Minority Affairs, who was essential in promoting the creation of a diverse student, faculty and staff population; and John B. “Jay” Gerlach, Jr., a 1976 graduate and chairman and CEO of Lancaster Colony Corp., who provides highly engaged leadership to many Ohio State groups. Additional information is available at commencement.osu.edu. CONTACT: Amy Murray, (614) 292-8385.

It’s Commencement Week at Ohio State – through May 4. Graduating seniors can mark their final days at Ohio State through a series of special events during Commencement Week, a week-long celebration leading up to spring commencement. Events, including an opportunity to climb the Orton Bell Tower, are for graduates and not members of the general public. However, media are welcome to cover them.
*Time and Change Tailgate following commencement rehearsal – approximately 2:30 p.m. – on Friday, May 2 on the south lawn of St. John Arena. Even though it’s not football season yet, graduates can celebrate their final tailgate as a student.
*Commencement Eve Candlelight Ceremony, 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 3 on the Oval. On the night before commencement, graduating students congregate in front of the Thompson Library on the Oval for a very special candlelight ceremony. Speakers will include campus celebrities and a student who was selected to deliver an address that reflects on their time at Ohio State. The event concludes with a candlelight rendition of "Carmen Ohio," the Ohio State alma mater. CONTACT: Dave Isaacs, 614-292-8424. SEE: commencementweek.osu.edu.

Ohio State again selected for auto engineering competition; Students to redesign a Chevrolet Camaro into a hybrid vehicle. A team of students from The Ohio State University has been selected to participate in the upcoming Advance Vehicle Technology Competition (AVTC), EcoCAR 3. EcoCAR 3 is a four year collegiate automotive competition series sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (US DOE) and General Motors Company (GM).
The Ohio State University has been a participant in ATVCs since 1990. The Ohio State University is the only school in Ohio to participate in the competition. In previous competitions, The Ohio State University team has been considered a top competitor, placing in the top 5 the past nine years. Currently, the team is finishing the third and final year of the EcoCAR 2: Plugging In to the Future competition that challenges 15 universities to redesign a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu into a more environmentally friendly vehicle. In June, the team will be traveling to Michigan – to GM’s Proving Grounds and Washington D.C. for the final competition. CONTACT: Sarah Jadwin, Jadwin.8@osu.edu, 614-205-2882.

Office of Diversity and Inclusion Hosts Diversity, Race & Learning Conference – May 6. The 20th National Conference on Diversity, Race & Learning will be held on Tuesday, May 6 at the Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road. The Honorable Julian Castro, Mayor of San Antonia, Texas, will be the keynote speaker. Pre-Conference Training sessions will be held on Monday, May 5 in Hall Hale, 154 W. 12th Ave. Registration required. CONTACT: Colby A. Taylor, taylor.972@osu.edu. SEE: http://odi.osu.edu/about/conferences/national-conference-on-diversity-race-and-learning/national-conference-on-diversity-race-and-learning-home.html.

The person listed as the CONTACT will have the most current information about the story. Call on our media relations staff for help with any Ohio State story: Jane Carroll, 614-292-5220 or carroll.296@osu.edu; Liz Cook, 614-292-7276 orcook.17@osu.edu; Gary Lewis, 614-688-2048 or lewis.330@osu.edu; or Amy Murray, 614-292-8385 or murray-goedde.1@osu.edu.