Story Ideas for Media 04-06-07
News
Projects on Ohio State’s campus will have an impact on traffic this week -- Motorists and pedestrians should plan for extra time, or an alternate route around these locations:
· Belmont Avenue. Beginning June 14, Belmont Avenue will close, including the intersection of 10th Avenue and Belmont.
· Rhodes Hall Loop. The loop is closed through July 31 for construction in front of the Medical Center
· Tuttle Park Place. Trenching across the street will restrict access for motorists, but traffic will be maintained in both directions.
· Oval Restoration Project. Restoration scheduled to begin week of June 14th. At that point, access to the Oval will be restricted and only perimeter sidewalks will be open.
· Cunz Hall Parking Lot. The lot behind Cunz Hall is closed, and motorists are encouraged to park at either the Tuttle garage or the Buckeye Lot.
· 12th/Neil Avenues. Traffic remains one-way eastbound on 12th, and has been routed one-way south on Neil. Motorists should use King Avenue as a detour.
· Knowlton and Hitchcock. Pedestrian traffic between the two buildings is affected while new trees and shrubs are planted.
· Lincoln and Morrill Towers East Bridge/Walkway Project. Bridge and sidewalk replacement continues on east side of towers.
For more information, see: http://www.osu.edu/news/construction_update.php Contact: Amy Murray, University Relations, (614) 292-8385.
Experts
Political science expert can discuss the legacy of President Ronald Reagan -- An Ohio State expert is available to discuss his legacy as the nation’s 40th president as the nation observes the death of President Ronald Reagan. John Kessel, political science professor emeritus, says Reagan was a “conservative ideologue” who was fascinating and complex. At one time, Kessel, who wrote the 2001 book “Presidents, the Presidency, and the Political Environment,” interviewed approximately 30 members of Reagan’s staff for his research. He can be reached at kessel.1@osu.edu. Contact: Jeff Grabmeier, University Relations, (614) 292-8457, or Amy Murray, University Relations, (614) 292-8385.
Research
Neighborhoods may influence whether residents have asthmae -- Along with the usual risk factors for asthma such as smoking and poverty, researchers have added another factor that may contribute: a neighborhood where people live in fear. Although researchers have known that disadvantaged urban residents are particularly vulnerable to asthma, this new research shows that specific characteristics of urban neighborhoods - over and above individual levels of poverty - can influence asthma levels among residents, according to Christopher Browning, co-author of the study and assistant professor of sociology at Ohio State. For more information, see http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/neigasth.htm Contact: Christopher Browning, Department of Sociology, (614) 292-2983, or Jeff Grabmeier, University Relations, (614) 292-8457.
Love, sex and metastatic cancer -- Researchers say many couples fighting recurrent breast cancer continue to have meaningful sex lives, despite having to cope with life-threatening disease and physically demanding treatments. “This is really the first time anyone has examined how the experience of metastatic cancer affects a couple’s intimate relationship,” says Dr. Charles Shapiro, an oncologist at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, adding that some people may be surprised at the findings. “What we discovered is that sexual intimacy continues even as couples deal with advanced breast cancer.” Contact: Michelle Gailiun, Medical Center Communications, (614) 293-3737.
Events
Thousands graduating from Ohio State; Ceremonies help to mark occasion – June 12, 13. -- Commencement ceremony: Erin Moriarty, an award-winning CBS correspondent and two-time graduate of Ohio State, is the speaker for the university’s spring commencement set for Sunday (6/13) in Ohio Stadium. Approximately 6,800 students will receive degrees during the ceremony, which begins at 2 p.m. Graduates and guests can find complete information on the ceremony at http://www.osu.edu/commence/ Contact: Amy Murray, University Relations, (614) 292-8385.
In addition, many colleges will mark the occasion with a convocation ceremony or other special recognition. They include:
· Humanities Baccalaureate ceremony: Frank A. Ray, listed in The Best Lawyers in America and was designated the 1999 “Lawyer of the Year” by Ohio Lawyers Weekly, is the featured speaker at the 10th annual College of Humanities Baccalaureate. The event is set for 3:30 p.m. on Saturday (6/12) in the Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road. Contact: Shari Lorbach, College of Humanities, (614) 688-4532.
· Fisher College of Business’ pre-commencement ceremony: Harold (Terry) McGraw, III, chairman, president and chief executive officer of The McGraw-Hill Companies, will speak to about 220 graduating full-time and part-time Fisher College of Business MBA students at 9 a.m. on Saturday (6/12) in Mershon Auditorium, 1871 N. High St. Contact: Laura Bowers, Fisher College of Business, (614) 292-8937.
U.S. Representatives host forum on discount cards for prescription drugs – June. 14. -- To provide more information to the public about discount drug cards for prescription drugs, U.S. Reps. Deborah Pryce, Dave Hobson and Pat Tiberi are hosting a public forum from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday (6/14) at the Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road. The cards became available June 1 to all Medicare beneficiaries who are not already receiving prescription drug assistance through the Medicaid program. The cards will be active until 2006. Contact: Elizabeth Conlisk, University Relations, (614) 292-3040.
International NUMIFORM Conference to be held on campus – June 14-17. -- The 8th International Conference on Numerical Methods in Industrial Forming will be held from Monday (6/14) through Thursday (6/17) at various locations on campus. The welcome addresses will be given by Ohio State President Karen Holbrook and Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman at 8 a.m. on Monday (6/14) in 131 Hitchcock Hall, 2070 Neil Ave. Then, the plenary lecture will be presented at 9 a.m. by Lyle Schwartz, director of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. Sponsored by the Ohio State College of Engineering, NUMIFORM 2004 will bring together international researchers and practitioners from academia, industry and laboratories to discuss recent advancements and future directions in the modeling of materials and various manufacturing processes. For more information, see http://www.eng.ohio-state.edu/numiform/Index.html Contact: Gina Langen, College of Engineering, (614) 688-4423.
James Cancer Survivors Day to take place in Ohio Stadium – June 19. -- Thousands of cancer survivors and their families will fill the Ohio Stadium from 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday (6/19) to celebrate Cancer Survivors Day. The annual event, hosted by the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, includes tours of the stadium, a classic car show, raffle prizes, refreshments and entertainment. Gates open at 1:30 p.m. Contact: Michelle Gailiun, Medical Center Communications, (614) 293-3737
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.
