Story Ideas for Media - 06/06/05

News

University celebrates its 2005 Academic Champions
The Ohio State University is celebrating a year of significant recognition for faculty and student achievement from some of the nation’s most prestigious academic associations and foundations. Among this year’s faculty highlights are a 2005 National Book Award winner for Non-Fiction, a Flight 93 National Memorial Project Completion finalist and 13 named American Association for the Advancement of Science fellows. Other faculty awards include two National Science Foundation Career Awards and an American Academy of Arts and Sciences fellow. Student achievement includes three National Science Foundation fellows, a Fulbright Scholar and a Goldwater Scholarship recipient. CONTACT: Shannon Wingard, University Relations, (614) 247-6821.

Experts

Expert can discuss proposed ban on placing indoor furniture outside
Columbus City Council will be voting tonight (6/6) on a proposed expansion of an existing zoning code that prohibits placing furniture outdoors that is not intended for that purpose. If it is approved, the expanded code would prohibit residents from having furniture, such as couches, on their porches. This recommendation was first made by Assistant Professor Jennifer Evans-Cowley and students in her City and Regional Planning course in spring 2003. Cowley says the course allowed students to gain experience working on public policy initiatives and collaborating with community members to understand the needs. By expanding the code, she says neighborhoods will be more appealing and safer. CONTACT: Jennifer Evans-Cowley, City & Regional Planning, (614) 247-7479; Cowley.11@osu.edu.

Research

Stress may increase long-term success of vaccinations
The latest study in a series of Ohio State University research projects looking at the differences between acute and chronic stress suggests that acute, or short-term, stress may actually increase a vaccine’s effectiveness. Results from laboratory tests in the current study showed that mice that were psychologically stressed for a short period of time – about two hours – prior to an immunization had significantly better immune responses than non-stressed mice when both groups of animals were re-exposed to the same antigen several months later. “A brief feeling of stress at the time of immunization may enhance the immune system’s long-term memory for an antigen,” said Firdaus Dhabhar, the study’s lead author and an associate professor of oral biology and molecular virology, immunology and medical genetics. CONTACT: Firdaus Dhabhar, Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics (614) 688-8562; Holly Wagner, University Relations, (614) 292-8310.

Events

Ohio State Board of Trustees to meet – June 7.
The Board of Trustees and its committees will meet on Tuesday (6/7) at the Faculty Club, 181 S. Oval Drive. The schedule includes meetings of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee and the Fiscal Affairs Committee from 9:30 to 10:20 a.m., with the formal board meeting from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Following lunch for Distinguished University Professor David Denlinger, trustees will recess into executive session at 1 p.m. For more information, see http://www.osu.edu/news/lvl2_news_story.php?id=1128 CONTACT: Elizabeth Conlisk, University Relations, (614) 292-3040.

Memorial service to be held in remembrance of students – June 7.
A memorial service to remember Ohio State students who passed away during this academic year will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday (6/7) in Browning Amphitheatre. The service, co-sponsored by the University Interfaith Association and the Student Advocacy Center, will be nondenominational and will provide an opportunity for the university community to come together to celebrate the lives of these students. All members of the OSU community are welcome to attend. In case of rain, the service will be held in the Ohio Union Stecker Lounge. CONTACT: Shannon Wingard, University Relations, (614) 247-6821.

Wind Symphony to present first Commencement-Eve Pops Concert – June 11.
Ohio State\'s Wind Symphony is presenting its first Ohio State Commencement-Eve Pops Concert at 8 p.m. on Saturday (6/11) in Weigel Hall Auditorium, 1866 College Road. The university\'s premier wind ensemble and guest artists will perform familiar favorites, from Star Wars to Buckeye favorites. Tickets are $12 for general admission, $10 for OSU faculty, staff and Alumni Association members, $5 for students, and may be purchased by calling (614) 292-3535. CONTACT: Amy Murray, University Relations, (614) 292-8385.

Ohio State will award more diplomas to more than 7,000 – June 12.
CEO is the title that one Ohio State graduate will assume after he receives his diploma at the spring quarter commencement ceremony. Lee Shadle, who will receive his degree in marketing, will become the CEO and founder for Pesto Creative Italian Bistro, the restaurant business he plans to open in the new South Campus Gateway in autumn. Shadle is one of nearly 7,500 – the largest graduating class ever – who will earn degrees during spring commencement exercises which begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday (6/12) in Ohio Stadium. The ceremony celebrates the academic achievements and hard work that each student has put forth to earn his or her degree. Each graduate will receive their own diploma at the ceremony, a practice rarely attempted by a university the size of Ohio State. William H. Hall, the university’s vice president for student affairs, will deliver the commencement address. Hall also will be one of five individuals to receive special honors during the ceremony. Additional information is available http://commencement.osu.edu/ 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.