Story Idea for Media 4/12/13

Harvard University historian and author Jill Lepore to lead writer's talk - April 24. Harvard historian and author Jill Lepore will discuss her forthcoming biography of Jane Franklin, Ben Franklin's sister and confidante at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24 at the Wexner Center for the Arts Film/Video Theater, 1850 College Rd.

Lepore is the David Woods Kemper '41 Professor of American History at Harvard College and chair of Harvard's History and Literature Program. She is also a staff writer for The New Yorker. In addition to "Book of Ages: The Life and Opinions of Jane Franklin," Lepore has authored "The Mansion of Happiness: A History of Life and Death" (Knopf, 2012); "The Story of America: Essays on Origins" (Princeton, 2012); "The Whites of Their Eyes" (Princeton, 2010), a New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice; and "New York Burning" (Knopf, 2005), winner of the Anisfield-Wolf Award for the best non-fiction book on race and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.

The event is free and open to the public. Co-sponsored by Ohio State's Department of History and the Wexner Center for the Arts. SEE: http://artsandsciences.osu.edu/events/humanities-institute-hosts-author-and-harvard-historian-jill-lepore. CONTACT: Libby Lantz, Humanities Institute, lantz.38@osu.edu, 614-688-0265.

Did you know that one in six men in the United States is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse? The Ohio State University College of Social Work is co-sponsoring the documentary film, "Boys and Men Healing from Child Sexual Abuse" at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 22 at the Gateway Film Center, 1550 N. High St. The film documents the impact that sexual abuse has on individuals and society and features three men who tell their stories of survival, recovery, and reveal how speaking out helped them reclaim their lives.

A question and answer panel discussion will follow led by Howard Fradkin, a subject expert who has counseled over 1000 male survivors of victimization. This event is free and open to the public. Prior to the film, the workshop, "Techniques to Empower Male Survivors to Thrive," will be held from 9 a.m. to noon in 115 Stillman Hall; 3 CEUs are available. Fradkin will be the workshop presenter. CONTACT: Frankie Jones-Harris, 614-292-3540, 614-330-2206, or jones-harris.1@osu.edu.

One Factor That Can Help Determine Black Men's College Success: "Grit" is as important as Talent, High School Achievement. Beyond good test scores and high school grades, a new study finds one key factor that helps predict if a young black man will succeed at a predominantly white university.

That factor is "grit" - a dedication to pursuing and achieving a goal, whatever the obstacles and failures along the way.

Grit is so important that it was found to affect college grades for black men almost as much as high school GPA and ACT scores, said Terrell Strayhorn, author of the study and associate professor of educational studies at The Ohio State University.

"For many black men, talent and high school success are not the only things they need to succeed when they attend a predominantly white university."

"Despite where they begin in terms of college readiness, black males who show more grit than their peers earn better grades in college." SEE: http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/collegegrit.htm
CONTACT: Jeff Grabmeier, (614) 292-8457; Grabmeier.1@osu.edu.

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, carroll.296@osu.edu; Liz Cook, 614-292-7276 or cook.17@osu.edu; or Amy Murray, 614-292-8385 or murray-goedde.1@osu.edu.