Story Ideas for Media 4-14-08

News

Ohio State scores "grand slam" in Goldwater scholarships. Four Ohio State students have been awarded the prestigious Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, considered the nation's top honor for undergraduate researchers in science, math and engineering. Each institution may only nominate four students for the award. Since the award's inception in 1986, Ohio State has never had all four nominees win. The scholars are among just 321 sophomores and juniors to win the award, which is based on academic merit. The one- and two-year scholarships will cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, and room and board up to a maximum of $7,500 per year. Winners are:
*Craig Buckley (chemical engineering) plans to perform research in expanding and finding new uses for nanotechnology for biochemistry and biomedical applications,
*Ehsan Sadeghipour (mechanical engineering) plans to conduct research in controls at the nano level.
*Douglas Schaefer (physics and math) plans to conduct research in physics
*Christine Zgrabik (engineering physics) plans to pursue a career in applied physics and medical imaging research. SEE: http://honors-scholars.osu.edu/hcHeadlines.aspx?h=25 CONTACT: Amy Murray, (614) 292-8385.

Research

Study: Health "shocks" diminish wealth more later in life. A new study underscores the need for seniors to maintain their health – in order to maintain their wealth.
Building on a 2003 study that found healthy seniors are more likely to retain their savings, Ohio State University researchers have now discovered that the later in life a serious illness occurs, the more damage it does to a person's finances.
The study found that when seniors develop a new and serious health problem – experiencing what the researchers call a "health shock" – early in retirement, they lose a substantial portion of their savings immediately. But if they experience the health shock later in life, they will lose even more.
Study participants over 70 years of age lost 40 percent more of their savings than similar seniors who were just four years younger. CONTACT: Jinkook Lee, (614) 247-7892. SEE: http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/healthshock.htm

Events

President Gee to deliver lecture on the role of land-grant universities – April 15. Revitalizing Ohio State's covenant with its communities is one of President E. Gordon Gee's strategic goals for the university. He will address his vision for achieving this goal in the 5th Annual James F. Patterson Land-Grant University Lecture, "Securing the Future: Envisioning the Role of Land-Grant Universities." The lecture takes place at 3 p.m. on Tuesday (4/15) at The Blackwell Inn & Conference Center, 2110 Tuttle Park Place. In his first term as president of Ohio State, Gee was instrumental in establishing the university's formal outreach and engagement efforts. Gee will address how the university can carry out its leadership role as the front door to Ohio's future. In addition, Ohio State's nominees for the national C. Peter Magrath University/Community Engagement Award as well as the 2008 outreach and engagement grant recipients will be recognized. CONTACT: Sandra Kerka, University Outreach and Engagement,(614) 247-4429. SEE: http://outreach.osu.edu/patterson_lecture.php

U.S. Senate committee to hold hearing on campus – April 21. The U.S. Senate committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions will hold a hearing entitled "Fulfilling the Promise of an Affordable College Education," at 10 a.m. on Monday (4/21) in the Saxbe Auditorium in Drinko Hall, 55 W. 12th Ave. Two witnesses from Ohio State are scheduled to testify. CONTACT: Amy Murray, (614) 292-8385.

Former Iranian minister to speak on U.S.-Iranian relations – April 21. Ebrahim Yazdi, former Iranian minister of foreign affairs, will speak on "Iranian Politics and U.S.-Iranian Relations" at noon on Monday (4/21), at the Mershon Center for International Security Studies, 1501 Neil Ave.
After the Islamic Revolution of 1979, Yazdi served as foreign minister in the interim government of Mehdi Bazargan. He resigned in protest after the Ayatollah Khomeini endorsed the takeover of the U.S. Embassy by radicals. Yazdi has a long history of involvement with Iranian politics, giving him an insider's view of the political situation in Iran and effective strategies for U.S. negotiations. CONTACT: Cathy Becker, (614) 292-7529.

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; Shelly Hoffman; (614) 247-4748; Jim Lynch; (614) 247-4110; or Amy Murray; (614) 292-8385.