Story Tips for Local Media - 06/05/98

STORY TIPS

This and every University Communications news release is available 
on the Internet and World Wide Web.  Our Web address is 
www.acs.ohio-state.edu.

STADIUM PREPARED FOR COMMENCEMENT--June 11.  More than 5,000 
graduates and 35,000 guests are expected to attend spring 
commencement in Ohio Stadium on June 12.  It is quite a logistical 
undertaking.  Ohio State is believed to be the only major 
university that still presents a diploma to each graduate at 
commencement, and holds just one ceremony for all graduates.  The 
big, colorful celebration attracts proud parents from many states 
and nations.  A small army of workers from the Department of 
Physical Facilities will ready the 'shoe' on Thursday by covering 
the turf with walkways, setting up the speakers platform and sound 
system, and generally spiffing up the place.  
CONTACT: David Sweet, Physical Facilities, 292-2377.

HUMANITIES CEREMONY FEATURES SPEAKER JOHN D'ARMS--June 11.  John 
D'Arms, president of the American Council of Learned Societies, 
will speak at the Humanities Baccalaureate, a celebration of the 
achievements of students, faculty, staff and alumni, which begins 
at 3:30 p.m. in the Wexner Center Film/Video Theater.  During the 
ceremony two Ohio State alumnae will receive the Humanities Alumni 
Society Alumni Awards of Distinction.  Carole Black, president and 
general manager of KNBC-TV in Los Angeles, and Elaine Hairston, 
chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents from 1990-1997, will be the 
recipients.
CONTACT: Shari Lorbach, College of Humanities, 292-1882.

BOB GREENE RETURNS TO OHIO STADIUM FOR (HOPEFULLY DRIER) 
COMMENCEMENT--June 12.  Commencement exercises for more than 5,000 
spring quarter graduates will be held beginning at 9:30 a.m. at 
Ohio Stadium.  The commencement speaker will be Bob Greene, a 
native of Bexley and syndicated columnist for the Chicago Tribune.  
Greene was the scheduled speaker for the 1997 spring quarter 
ceremony that was canceled because of heavy rain.  He accepted an 
invitation to return and speak to this spring's graduating class.
CONTACT: Tracy Turner, University Communications, 688-3682.

INCLEMENT WEATHER PLAN IN PLACE FOR SPRING COMMENCEMENT--1997 
marked the first time in 56 years that spring commencement was 
canceled due to severe weather, as torrential rains drenched 
graduates, guests and shorted out the sound system.  Since there is 
no indoor site large enough to accommodate all the people expected 
for the ceremony, every effort will be made to hold the event as 
planned.  In case of dangerous weather conditions, the ceremonies 
will be either delayed or canceled, and the graduates will be 
notified in time to minimize confusion.  
-- University officials will closely monitor weather conditions.  
If severe weather is predicted, the event may be delayed for up to 
one hour beyond the normal 9:30 a.m. starting time  The ceremony 
will proceed if conditions are not severe.  If rain is forecast, 
guests should bring rain gear.  Umbrellas are permitted at 
commencement. 
--WOSU-AM (News 820) will air official updates on the status of 
commencement if there is any question of weather conditions 
becoming severe.  Other local media will be kept updated.
CONTACT: Ruth Gerstner, University Communications, 292-8424.

OSU PROFESSOR SPEAKS AT UNITED NATIONS--June 15.  Chadwick Alger, 
Mershon Professor of political science and public policy emeritus, 
will speak at United Nations Headquarters in New York City as the 
United Nations University launches its latest publication, The 
Future of the United Nations System: Potential for the Twenty-first 
Century.  Alger edited the volume, with contributions from 22 
scholars from all continents, for the International Peace Research 
Association (IPRA) and has written the introduction and conclusion.  
The United Nations University public forum to introduce the book 
will begin at 1 p.m. at the Dag Hammarskjold Library Auditorium.  
Alger will present an overview and focus on Prevention of Violence 
and Disruptive Conflict through Peace Keeping and Peace Building in 
the United Nations..
CONTACT: Chadwick Alger, Mershon Center,  292-5945.  He will be in 
town through June 11.

The person listed as the contact for each item will have the best 
information about the story.  Feel free to call on our news services 
staff for assistance with these or other Ohio State news stories--
Amy Murray, 292-8385; Ruth Gerstner, 292-8424; Tracy Turner, 688-
3682; and Emily Caldwell, 292-8309.
**Compiled by Amy Murray, University Communications, (Murray-
Goedde.1@osu.edu).