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Ohio
State\'s news, experts and events give you more on the news

Experts

When gasoline prices rise, what about everything else? Tom Goldsby, an assistant professor of logistics at the Fisher College of Business, is an expert on logistics strategy and freight transportation. He is available to speak about how rising gas prices may affect retail prices due to increased transportation costs. He can be reached beginning on Wednesday, May 4 at (614) 292-2901.

Research

Future computer: Atoms packed in an “egg carton” of light? Scientists at The Ohio State University have taken a step toward developing powerful new computers by making tiny holes that contain nothing at all. The holes – dark spots in an egg carton-shaped surface of laser light -- could one day cradle atoms for quantum computing. Worldwide, scientists are racing to develop computers that exploit the quantum mechanical properties of atoms, explained Greg Lafyatis, associate professor of physics at Ohio State. These so-called quantum computers could enable much faster computing than is possible today. Contact: Greg Lafyatis, (614) 292-2286;Lafyatis.2@osu.edu; see http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/eggcarton.htm

Events

African American Heritage Festival emphasizes health and wellness – through May 7. The Ohio State University community is marking the 27th anniversary of the African American Heritage Festival this week (May 1-7) with programs that emphasize wellness. “Kisima: Healing the Mind, Body and Soul,” is the festival theme. Kisima means “well” in Swahili. Program highlights include a Gospel Fest on Thursday (5/5) and the 18th Annual Pan-Hellenic Black Greek Step Show on Friday (5/6). The last day of celebration on Saturday begins with a fitness run/walk from the Ohio Union to Beekman Park for a health fair and community marketplace from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Mahogany Moments, a semiformal dance and dinner at 7 p.m. For more information, see http://heritagefestival.osu.edu/ Contact: Liz Cook, University Relations, (614) 292-7276.

OSU Physics professor debuts TV show aimed at teaching physics to teens – May 3. An Ohio State University physics professor has developed a new TV show designed to teach physics to ninth-graders. The premiere of “Physics on the Edge” will take place on Tuesday, May 3, at 4:30 p.m. at the Wexner Center Film/Video Theater, 1871 N. High St. “Physics on the Edge” is a television show about energy designed to grab the attention of teenagers to show them the wonders of physics using live-action, extreme demonstrations. Developed by Linn Van Woerkom, a physics professor at Ohio State, “Physics n the Edge” features cars crashing and dropping from a crane and skateboarders in a “half-pipe” There will be a second showing of “Physics on the Edge” at 6:30 p.m. The pilot episode, “Wrecking Physics,” will air on WOSU-TV this fall. There are plans for a 13-episode series. Along with the premiere, the College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MAPS) will be holding an “Outreach Showcase” for outreach programs within the college. Contact: Melissa L. Weber, MAPS, (614) 846-3481.

Diversity Lecture Series offers concert – May 3. The Fisk Jubilee Singers, the first and oldest continuously existing university performance group of the spiritual ensemble genre, will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday (5/3) at Weigel Auditorium. The performance is the final offering in of the 2004-2005 President and Provost’s Diversity Lecture and Cultural Arts Series. The group, which originated at Fisk University in 1878, maintains the African American spiritual tradition of the slave “sorrow songs.” They will perform a repertoire of arrangements including renowned composers and arrangers Harry T. Burleigh and John W. Work. The event is free and open to the public. Contact:Trina Phillips, (614) 688-4280.

Will perform for food – students present “42nd Street” for charity – May 5-14. Ohio State’s student run musical theatre organization, Off the Lake Productions, presents its ninth annual spring musical this week and next. 42nd Street is a Broadway musical about Broadway musicals and is full of upbeat singing and dancing. Admission to the show is a can of food or monetary donation, which will be donated to the Mid-Ohio Food bank. The musical will be performed at 8 p.m. on May 5, 6, 7, 13 and 14 in Hitchcock Hall, 2070 Neil Avenue. Last year, more than 1,500 pounds of food were donated to the food bank. Contact: Lisa Huneke, Off the Lake Productions, (614) 297-1944.

Ohio State hosts “CPS Day” to combine baseball with learning – May 4.The Ohio State University is joining with Columbus Public Schools (CPS) for “CPS Day” on Wednesday (5/4). The day includes 3,500 sixth-grade students and staff from the Columbus Public Schools coming to campus for an educational pep rally at 10 a.m. in Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium followed by a sold-out Buckeye baseball game vs. Cleveland State at 12:05 p.m. at Bill Davis Stadium. CPS Day is designed to show young students the opportunities for and advantages of higher education and the importance of staying in school. Columbus Public Schools developed a standards-based curriculum oriented around baseball, including the history of baseball, knowledge of the game, baseball statistics and biographies of famous players. The curriculum also encompassed music classes (learning the national anthem and “Take Me Out to the Ball Game”) and art classes, which took part in a baseball game program cover contest. For media credentials or more information, contact: Miranda Zink, Athletics, 614-292-1389, or Amy Murray, University Relations, (614) 292-8385.

More CPS students on campus for Breakfast of Science Champions – May 4. The Environmental Molecular Science Institute (EMSI), Columbus Public Schools (CPS) and the College of Math and Physical Sciences (MAPS) will hold the next Breakfast of Science Champions on Wednesday, May 4, in the new Physics Research Building, ADDRESS, featuring the Access Grid technology being utilized by the Ohio Center for Theoretical Science. The Gifted and Talented Program office of CPS identified 40 middle school students to participate in this year’s breakfasts. The students will enjoy breakfast with faculty and graduate students, and then participate in demonstrations and lab tours from 9-11:30 a.m. The program aims to instill the idea that science can be an interesting, rewarding career path and that a college education is an attainable goal.Contact: Ben Lewis, MAPS, (614) 688-4892.

Battelle leader presents Meek Lecture – May 5-6. Carl F. Kohrt, President and CEO of Battelle Memorial Laboratories, has been named the 2005 Devon W. Meek Lecturer. He will present the Meek Memorial Lecture, titled “Approaching Global Challenges at the Intersection of Disciplines,” on Friday, May 6, from 2-3 p.m. in 1000 McPherson Lab. Kohrt will also present “The Kodak Chronicles: Notes from a Career in Chemistry” from 3-4 p.m. on Thursday (5/5) in 1000 McPherson Lab. Contact: Amy Murray, University Relations, (614) 292-8385.

Board of Trustees to meet – May 6. The Ohio State University Board of Trustees and its committees will meet Friday (5/6) at the Longaberger Alumni House. The schedule includes an Administrative Briefing from 9:15-10:15 a.m., the Investment Committee meeting from 10:15-11 a.m., meetings of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee and the Fiscal Affairs Committee from 11-11:40 a.m., and the formal Board meeting at 1 p.m. in the Sanders Grand Lounge. For more information, see http://www.osu.edu/news/lvl2_news_story.php?id=1087.
Contact: Elizabeth Conlisk, University Relations, (614) 292-3040.

OSU celebrates spring with “May Week” – May 6-15. A teeter-totter marathon, faculty-staff scavenger hunt, and the opportunity to “Rock the Block” are among activities planned for “May Week,” May 6-15. “May Week,” which was celebrated at Ohio State from the early 1900s until 1970, is a recently restored university tradition that is designed to encourage interaction among students, faculty and staff while showcasing university organizations and departments. The theme of the weeklong celebration is “…because there’s a lot to celebrate.” Organized by the Ohio State University Alumni Association and its Student-Alumni Council, activities incorporate academics, wellness, recreation, diversity, athletics and community service. Events this week include a teeter-totter marathon from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday (5/6) on the South Oval, and “Rock the Block, a giant community clean-up event, from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday (5/7). Contact: Shannon Wingard, University Relations, (614) 247-6821.

Ohio State University to host 57th annual State Science Day – May 7. Some 1,125 students from 69 Ohio counties in grades 7-12 will exhibit their science research projects at the 57th annual State Science Day Saturday (5/7) at French Field House, 460 Woody Hayes Drive, and St. John Arena, 410 Woody Hayes Drive. The students vie for nearly 100 scholarships and awards valued at more than $1.5 million. The event is the academic equivalent of a state athletic championship and one of the largest of its kind in the nation. See http://statescienceday.osu.edu/ Contact: Lynn Elfner, Ohio Academy of Science, (614) 488-2228.

Chadwick Arboretum hosts annual Plant Sale and Garden Fair– May 6-7. From the common to the uncommon, gardeners can find plants and garden tools and art on sale at the annual Chadwick Arboretum Plant Sale and Garden Fair, Friday and Saturday (5/6-7) Offerings include Ohio native trees and shrubs, Lenten Rose, hydrangeas, perennials, annuals, hanging baskets, alpine plants, herbs, hostas, conifers, garden books, tools, and garden art. The sale is open to the public from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday (5/6) and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday (5/7) with a tree and shrub auction at noon each day. Follow the signs to the sale site at Dakan Hall, located due west of the Schottenstein Center, northwest from the corner of Lane Avenue and Fred Taylor Drive. Contact: Chadwick Arboretum and Learning Gardens, (614) 688-3479.

South Oval transformed for Medieval and Renaissance Festival – May 7. The Council for the Medieval and Renaissance Festival presents Robyn Hood and the Sherwood Shenanigans, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday (5/7), on the South Oval. Join Robyn Hood and her Merry Maids as they sing, dance, and fight their way past Prince John and the Sheriff of Nottingham. Explore the shops, watch the performers, and join in the fun. The Faire is free and open to the public. Contact: Amanda Rosen, rosen.81@osu.edu

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.