Story Ideas for Media 10-1-07

News

First day for Ohio State’s 14th president. E. Gordon Gee officially became Ohio State’s 14th president today (10/1). Since the July 12th announcement that Gee would return to Ohio State, he has participated in many campus activities including helping students move in, football games, and the freshman convocation ceremony.

Two Ohio State campuses celebrate 50th anniversary. It’s a red letter day for The Ohio State University at Marion and at Newark. It is exactly 50 years to the day that the two campuses began offering classes.
Both campuses are expecting record enrollments this year. At Newark, 80 students enrolled when the classes began in the former Newark High School; autumn quarter enrollment is estimated at more than 2,500. In Marion, 165 students enrolled when classes began in the former Harding High School; autumn quarter enrollment is estimated at more than 1,700.
The Marion campus has marked the golden anniversary over the past year with a number of celebration events. The Student Services Building has been renamed Maynard Hall in honor the campus’ first dean, Eugene Maynard. There are also 50th anniversary banners on light poles throughout the campus.
The Newark campus is beginning a year of celebration events to recognize the milestone. Construction is nearing completion on the new Warner Library and Student Center.
SEE: www.newark.osu.edu and
http://www.osumarion.ihostsol.net/newsarticle.asp?articleid=485

Research

Engineered eggshells to help make hydrogen fuel. Engineers at Ohio State University have found a way to turn discarded chicken eggshells into an alternative energy resource.
The patented process uses eggshells to soak up carbon dioxide from a reaction that produces hydrogen fuel. It also includes a unique method for peeling the collagen-containing membrane from the inside of the shells, so that the collagen can be used commercially.
L.S. Fan, Distinguished University Professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at Ohio State, said that he and former Ohio State doctoral student, Mahesh Iyer, hit upon the idea when they were trying to improve a method of hydrogen production called the water-gas-shift reaction. With this method, fossil fuels such as coal are gasified to produce carbon monoxide gas, which then combines with water to produce carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The eggshell plays a critical role. CONTACT: L.S. Fan (614) 688-3262; Fan.1@osu.edu, SEE: http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/eggpower.htm

Events

Experts in environmental security, military strategy lecture at Ohio State – Oct. 2 and 4. Ohio State’s Mershon Center for International Security Studies offers two lectures this week by experts in environmental security and military strategy. Both take place at noon at the center, 1501 Neil Avenue.
Thomas Homer-Dixon, a leading expert in environmental security and director of the Trudeau Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies will speak at Tuesday (10/2). Homer-Dixon’s research focuses on threats to global security in the 21st century and on how societies adapt to change.
On Thursday (10/4), Major General R. Mike Worden, Commander of the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada will discuss “Strategy, Military Transformation, and the Role of Air Power.” The Air Force Warfare Center is responsible for ensuring combat air, space and information operations forces are trained and equipped to conduct integrated combat operations. CONTACT: Cathy Becker, (614) 292-7529.

Campus goes to the dogs – Oct. 7. Artist William Wegman’s exhibit at the Wexner Center for the Arts is the catalyst for two dog-centered events on Sunday. Dogs and their walkers will rove the campus for the second annual “The Vets 4 Pets 5K Race/Walk.” The event is sponsored by the College of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2009 and benefits the Capital Area Humane Society. It starts at 11 a.m. at the Veterinary Hospital, 1932 Coffey Road.
Dogs, humans and dog lovers are invited to the Wexner Center for Dog Day at the Wex 2007 Community Day. The festival takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Wexner Center Plaza, 1850 College Road. Events include a Pooch Parade, a dog playground, dog talent contest, pet massage and tours of the Wegman exhibit, make some paw prints, show off your dog's tricks in a talent contest, and much more. SEE: http://www.vet.osu.edu/VetsForPets.htm and http://www.wexarts.org/ed/index.php?eventid=2381

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: Liz Cook, (614) 292-7276 or cook.17@osu.edu, Shelly Hoffman, (614) 247-4748 or hoffman.511@osu.edu, Jim Lynch, (614) 247-4110 or lynch.270@osu.edu, or Amy Murray, (614) 292-8385 or murray-goedde.1@osu.edu