Story Ideas for Media 3/29/13

Columbus lands only American engagement of Julius Caesar outside of NYC. After an April premiere in New York City, the actors, musicians, and theater artists from the world-renowned Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) will come to Columbus to perform an exclusive engagement of its production of Julius Caesar. The Royal Shakespeare Company in America is presented in collaboration with The Ohio State University.

Interpreted with a new twist by the RSC’s new artistic director Gregory Doran, the production is set in present-day Africa with a cast of highly-acclaimed, black British actors and live, contemporary West African music composed for the show by Akintayo Akinbode. The production opened to five-star reviews in the UK last year, going on to tour the UK and perform in Moscow before its two upcoming U.S. engagements.

Ohio State and CAPA present the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Julius Caesar at the Southern Theatre (21 E. Main St.) on at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1; at 8 p.m. on May 2, 3 and 4; and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 5. SEE: http://artsandsciences.osu.edu/news/columbus-lands-only-american-engagement-of-julius-caesar-outside-of-nyc

Energy expert Daniel Yergin available to talk to Media – April 2. Daniel Yergin, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and energy expert, will be available to talk with media at 3:00 pm on Tuesday, April 2 at the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St. This availability immediately precedes a presentation by Yergin, “The Quest: The Future of Energy,” beginning at 4 p.m. in the Griffin East Ballroom at The Ohio Union. Respected around the world as a leading energy scholar and expert, Daniel Yergin has served as an advisor and analyst on topics including energy security, unconventional oil and gas development, energy markets, and climate change. He received the Pulitzer Prize for “The Prize,” which became a PBS and BBC television series. His new book, “The Quest,” is a sweeping history of the energies-from oil and gas to solar and wind-that animate the modern world, and a riveting story of where we are today, and what the future of energy might look like. CONTACT: Gina Langen, langen.2@osu.edu or 614-795-6679.

Statewide summit on college student financial literacy – April 2. College students increasingly need to be smart about their money, but are they getting enough education about banking, budgeting and credit card use. The Ohio State University is convening financial aid officers, student life staff, faculty, students, and other interested higher education professionals for a statewide summit to discuss the need for – and benefits of – financial literacy on our campuses. The Summit will include a keynote speech by Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, and panels of financial education representatives and students from Ohio higher education institutions. The summit takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Blackwell, 2110 Tuttle Park Place. CONTACT: Dave Isaacs, (614) 292-8424.

Students test their financial literacy on Buck$ Bus – April 3. As part of National Financial Literacy Month, Ohio State students can hop on a Buck$ Bus (golf carts) from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, April 3 at the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St. Inspired by the Discovery Channel’s Cash Cab, students can catch a ride to class, answer financial literacy questions and win great prizes for the right answers.
Buck$ Bus is sponsored by Ohio State’s Student Wellness Center and Student Legal Services.
Media can learn more and make arrangements for a “ride along.” CONTACT: Dave Isaacs, 614-292-8424.

Hunger doesn't take a spring break – Ohio State Social Work students volunteer to serve lunch to hungry kids – April 1-5. Spring break may be a welcomed respite for school-aged kids, but it may also place an extra burden on families already struggling to make ends meet. During spring break, many kids miss out on the free- and reduced-price lunch programs at school – and their families may not be able to budget for the additional expense of lunch while they're home. To remedy the situation, students at Ohio State’s College of Social Work are volunteering for a project that provides free lunches to kids during the week of April 1-5 at the city's Barnett Recreation Center. For more information about the project or to talk to a student about why they’re volunteering, CONTACT: Frankie Jones-Harris, jones-harris.1@osu.edu, (614) 292-3540 or (614) 330-2206.

Ohio State Baseball Night – A Celebration of Education – April 3. Approximately 250 sixth-grade students and their families throughout Columbus City Schools (CCS) will participate in “A Celebration of Education” at The Ohio State University’s Bill Davis Baseball Stadium on Wednesday, April 3. Sixth graders who have good attendance, shown significant academic or behavior improvement, and displayed good effort throughout the school year were selected by their principals and teachers to attend this fun event during Spring Break. Students will cheer on the Ohio State Baseball Buckeyes vs. Miami (Ohio) at 6:35 p.m.

During the event special announcements will be made to recognize CCS students, and a CCS student will throw out the first pitch for the game. Families will be provided with information about summer engagement opportunities at Ohio State to further promote college campus activities. The event will promote higher education aspirations among 6th graders. CONTACT: Carlos Oseguera, Director of Fan Experience and Promotions, Ohio State Athletics, 614- 247-6536, OsegueraC@buckeyes.ath.ohio-state.edu, or Tanya Brown, Higher Education Partnerships, Columbus City Schools, 614-365-8600, tbrown10200@columbus.k12.oh.us.

Ohio State University Trustees to meet April 4-5. The Ohio State University Board of Trustees and its committees will meet Thursday and Friday, April 4 and 5, at Longaberger Alumni House, 2200 Olentangy River Rd.
The schedule includes meetings on Thursday, April 4 of the Medical Affairs and Advancement committees from 1 to 2:30 p.m.; the Audit and Compliance and Governance committees from 2:45 to 4:15 p.m.; and meetings of the Finance and Academic Affairs and Student Life committees from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The full board will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, April 5. CONTACT: Shelly Hoffman, (614) 247-4748.

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 or Amy Murray, (614) 292-8385 or murray-goedde.1@osu.edu