Story Ideas for Media - 01/24/05

News

Center to sponsor fifth annual Fisher Business Plan Competition -- The Center for Entrepreneurship at the Fisher College of Business, an official academic center of The Ohio State University, is now accepting registrations for the 2005 Fisher Business Plan Competition sponsored by Deloitte & Touche USA LLP. Individuals can access complete competition details and register their teams online until Feb. 6 at http://www.entrepreneurship.osu.edu/. In its fifth year, the competition empowers community members to turn their business ideas into a formal plan for growth and success. Teams must include at least one Ohio State student, and may not have invested more than $100,000 in their business prior to the competition. Teams without an Ohio State student will be matched with one, if possible. CONTACT: Laura Bowers, Fisher College of Business, (614) 292-8937.

Experts

Experts can discuss the upcoming election in Iraq -- Ohio State experts are available to discuss various aspects of the Jan. 30 election in Iraq. Richard Herrmann, professor of political science and director of the Mershon Center, which focuses on the interdisciplinary study of international security, can discuss history and culture in Iraq, and how the country will be affected by the election. Additionally, John Mueller, Wayne Woodrow Hayes Professor of National Security Studies in the Mershon Center, is an expert in international relations and can discuss how the war may affect the election. CONTACT: Julie Rojewski, Mershon Center, (614) 292-7529.

Research

‘Bumpy’ glass could lead to self-cleaning windows, slick micromachines -- Ohio State University engineers are designing super-slick, water-repellent surfaces that mimic the texture of lotus leaves. The patent-pending technology could lead to self-cleaning glass, and could also reduce friction between the tiny moving parts inside microdevices. Scientists have long known that the lotus, or water lily, makes a good model for a water-repellent surface, explained Bharat Bhushan, Ohio Eminent Scholar and the Howard D. Winbigler Professor of mechanical engineering at Ohio State. The leaf is waxy and covered with tiny bumps, so water rolls off. For more information, see http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/lotleaf.htm CONTACT: Bharat Bhushan, Department of Mechanical Engineering, (614) 292-0651; or Pam Frost Gorder, University Relations, (614) 292-9475.

Events

Discussion examines African American student experience – Jan. 25. -- Raymond Winbush, psychologist and director of the Institute on Urban Research at Morgan State University, will lead a discussion on “Unspeakable Things Spoken,” which examines the African American student experience at Ohio State. The discussion begins at 7 p.m. on Tuesday (1/25) at the Hale Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave. The event is a part of United Black World Month. For more United Black World Month events, see http://www.osu.edu/news/lvl2_news_story.php?id=1015 CONTACT: Liz Cook, University Relations, (614) 292-7276.

Author to discuss ‘Nine Ways of Looking at a Poor Woman’ – Jan. 26.
Historian Rickie Solinger will present “Nine Ways of Looking at a Poor Woman” at 4 p.m. on Wednesday (1/26) at the Ohio Union Stecker Lounge, 1739 N. High St. The event is part of the President\'s and Provost\'s Diversity Lecture and Cultural Arts Series. This lecture is presented in conjunction with the photographic exhibition titled, “Beggars and Choosers: Motherhood is not a class privilege in America.” The lecture and exhibition illustrate the concepts in Solinger’s book “Beggars and Choosers: How the Politics of Choice Shapes Adoption, Abortion, and Welfare in the U.S.,” and invites participants to clarify what they know about dominant attitudes toward, and public policies regarding, poor women in America. CONTACT: Liz Cook, University Relations, (614) 292-7276.

Honda robot will demonstrate ability to walk, dance, talk – Jan. 27. -- Honda\'s humanoid robot, ASIMO, will bring its national tour to Columbus when it visits Ohio State University for a series of fun and educational demonstrations. ASIMO is visiting some of the top engineering and computer science schools across the nation, highlighting real-world applications of science and engineering disciplines. In a 25-minute live, high-tech stage show, ASIMO will entertain and inspire with its unique ability to walk, talk, dance and even climb stairs just like a human. Media are invited to attend a demonstration at 10 a.m. on Thursday (1/27) at the Thurber Theater in the Drake Performance Center, 1849 Cannon Drive. Members of the media will have the opportunity to interview ASIMO following the scheduled presentation. For more information, see http://asimo.honda.com/ASIMO_DCTM/Events/Pre-Event_0029.asp CONTACT: Gina Langen, College of Engineering, (614) 688-4423.

Semi-formal dinner at OSU will benefit tsunami relief – Jan. 29. -- Ohio State’s Tsunami Aid Coalition hopes to raise $50,000 to feed survivors of the Indian Ocean tragedy with a benefit dinner at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday (1/29) in the Ohio Union Ballrooms, 1739 N. High St. The new coalition is comprised of approximately 50 student organizations, administrative and academic offices at Ohio State that are interested in helping survivors of the tsunami. Tickets for the semi-formal dinner are available at the $25, $100 and $250 sponsorship level. A $250 donation will feed a victim for 12 months, $100 for five months and $25 for one month. Proceeds will be donated to Tsunami Central Ohio Relief Effort (T-CORE). To reserve a spot, call (614) 688-8449 or (614) 451-3550 or e-mail tsunamibenefit@yahoo.com by Wednesday (1/26) indicating your level of support. For more information, see http://multiculturalcenter.osu.edu/asam/page.asp?ID=106 CONTACT: Amy Murray, University Relations, (614) 292-8385.

The person listed as Contact will have the best information about the story. Call on our media relations staff for help with any Ohio State story – Elizabeth Conlisk, (614) 292-3040; Liz Cook, (614) 292-7276; Amy Murray, (614) 292-8385, and Shannon Wingard, (614) 247-6821.