Story Ideas for Media 08-06-02
Ohio State's news, experts and events give you more on the news
Ohio State's news, experts and events give you more on the news
News
Taking stock of the Wall Street plunge – The stock market is on a downhill slide. But Ohio State University research shows that over the long run, making steady, periodic contributions to a retirement account is still the best way to build a retirement nest egg. Sherman Hanna, a professor of financial management, has done a number of studies on long-term investment strategies for retirement accounts. Among his findings: if you have at least 20 years to invest before retirement, you’ll come out better by making steady contributions to relatively volatile small-stock funds. He has also found that about half of Americans won’t be able to keep up their standard of living after retirement because they are not saving and contributing to retirement accounts and other investments. Another study found that even though investment companies and financial professionals promise increased wealth and investment returns, most consumers are just as well off on their own.
Contact: Sherman Hanna, College of Human Ecology, (614) 292-4584
Experts
News sources for drought stories – Ohio farmers with concerns regarding potential drought conditions can refer to an Ohio State University drought Web site for management information. The Web site, created by Ohio State University Extension specialists, offers a wide variety of topics from drought news to weed control. The site provides producers, growers, Ohio State Extension agents, agri-businesses and crop consultants timely and pertinent information on how to manage livestock and crop production during dry conditions. The Web site, http://corn.osu.edu/drought02/ contains fact sheets, bulletins and news releases on current drought news, livestock, corn, soybeans, forages, weed control, fruit production and marketing information. It also contains a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Drought Severity Index map and resource guide to other drought-related Web sites. Ohio State Extension agronomist Peter Thomison says “the site is a
clearinghouse for drought information where producers, crop consultants and the like can find what they may be looking for all in one place.” Contact: Suzanne Steel, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, (614) 292-9637; Peter Thomison, Ohio State Extension (614) 292-2373.
Business blunders a product of bad decision-making – About half of all business decisions end in failure, according to a new book that summarizes a multi-decade study of real-life organizational decisions. Paul Nutt, professor of management at The Ohio State Univeristy’s Fisher College of Business, and author of “Why Decisions Fail: Avoiding the Blunders and Traps that Lead to Debacles” writes in his book that vast sums of money are spent to make decisions that realize no ultimate value for the organization. Contact: Paul Nutt, Fisher College of Business, (614) 292-4605.
Events
Girls to experience science firsthand at future engineers’ summer camp - Aug. 5-9 – The goal of Ohio State's Future Engineers' Summer Camp is to generate excitement about engineering and science for middle school girls by encouraging creative thinking and hands-on experimenting. The workshop runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Friday (8/5-8/9) at the Ohio State University's College of Engineering. Linda Weavers, professor of civil and environmental engineering, is leading the workshop to expose girls entering 8th grade to the wonders of science and careers in engineering. The girls will participate in activities that relate to math and science. The highlight will be Friday (8/9) when the girls design and build and drive a hovercraft in the Hitchcock Hall lobby. Contact: Gina Langen, College of Engineering, (614) 688-4423; Linda Weavers, professor of civil and environmental engineering, (614) 292-4061
Ohio State partners to do vision screening – Aug. 7 – One hundred children participating in the Columbus Chapter of the Boys and Girls Club of America will receive vision screening from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday (8/07) at Cooper Stadium. The program is co-sponsored by The Ohio State University College of Optometry and the Vision Service Program. Contact: LeVelle Jenkins, College of Optometry, (614) 565-0329.
Student research featured at poster session – Aug. 8 - Seven high school students from the Columbus Public Schools will display posters that feature research they have been conducting throughout the summer in the Department of Chemistry at The Ohio State University. The students are part of Project SEED, a program of the American Chemical Society sponsored at Ohio State by the Department of Chemistry and the College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences. The program at Ohio State is in its second year. Department of Chemistry professors have served as mentors and supervisors of the students’ research. The poster session will be held from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the Lobby area of McPherson Lab, 140 W. 18th Avnue. Several undergraduate chemistry majors will also be participating. Contact: Melissa Weber, College of Mathematical and Physical Science, (614) 292-2254.
Stone Lab lecture focuses on Great Lakes resource management – Aug. 8 – Sam Speck, the director of Ohio’s Department of Natural Resources, will speak from 7:15 to 9 p.m. on Thursday (8/8) at the Stone Laboratory, located on Gibraltar Island in Put-in-Bay harbor, Lake Erie. His topic will be “Resource Management Issues Facing the Great Lakes Region.” Those wanting free transportation to Gibraltar Island should meet at the Research Island on South Bass Island. Contact: http://www.sg.ohio-state.edu/slab/maps/f-maps.html
Blood donors asked to give a “Schott at Life” – Aug. 12. The home of The Ohio State University basketball and hockey teams will be the site of the largest blood drive in central Ohio as the “Schott at Life” American Red Cross Blood Drive is held Monday (8/12) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Jerome Schottenstein Center. Eligible donors can call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule an appointment. Following registration, donors answer simple medical history questions and receive a mini-physical. The actual donation takes eight to 10 minutes. Contact: Roxanne Montgomery, (614) 251-1451, montgomerr@usa.redcross.org
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; Randy Dunham, (614) 292-8295; Amy Murray, (614) 292-8385, and Shannon Wingard, (614) 247-6821.
