Purdue Story Ideas

JOURNALISTS: Here are story ideas and a list of selected Purdue events during the next two weeks. Aug. 5, 2002 Baseball strike expert available Will professional baseball players keep stepping up to the plate or will they take a walk? James Dworkin, Purdue University North Central chancellor, is an expert on collective bargaining and baseball strikes. He can discuss the likelihood of a strike and its effects. He also is knowledgeable about the central issues with regard to the economic structure of the game. Dworkin is the author of "Owners Versus Players: Baseball and Collective Bargaining" (Boston: Auburn House Publishing Company, 1981.) Before being appointed chancellor, Dworkin served as an associate dean for the Krannert School of Management at Purdue's West Lafayette campus. His biography is available on the web. CONTACT: James Dworkin, (219) 785-5331, jdworkin@purduenc.edu. 4-H celebrates centennial anniversary during Indiana State Fair WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – A dedication ceremony recognizing 4-H's 100th anniversary will be held at the Indiana State Fair on Saturday, Aug. 10. News media are invited to attend the event, which will start at noon in front of the 4-H Exhibit Hall. David Petritz, director of Purdue Extension, William Stinson, State Fair executive director, and state 4-H staff will help dedicate the plaza in front of the Exhibit Hall to commemorate 4-H's 100th year. Press credentials for the Indiana State Fair can be obtained through the fair's media office by calling (317) 927-7577 or by faxing a request on media letterhead to (317) 927-7578. CONTACT: Beth Forbes, (765) 494-2722; Carl Broady, Department of 4-H Youth, (317) 927-7650. Sen. Evan Bayh to visit Purdue campus U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., will discuss corporate ethics with Purdue University students at 1:15 p.m. Monday (8/12) in the Purdue Memorial Union's West Main Lounge. Bayh will discuss how corporate fraud damages the economy, undermines investor confidence and decimates retirement portfolios. He also will discuss legislation Congress passed to strengthen penalties for corporate wrongdoers, tighten oversight of accounting practices and re-instill consumer confidence. Serving as moderator for the discussion is Richard A. Cosier (KO-shur), Krannert School dean and Leeds Professor of Management, who has called for a CEO code of ethics. Bayh will field questions from a panel of students on the issue of corporate responsibility and possible congressional responses. After the question-and-answer session with students, Bayh will take questions from journalists. CONTACT: Mike Lillich, University News Service, (765) 494-2077, mlillich@purdue.edu. First lady steps into the future at State Fair Indiana's first lady Judy O'Bannon will boldly go into the future — to the year 2016 — but she won't have to leave Indianapolis to get there. O'Bannon will be visiting Purdue University's Discovery Park display for "2016, Step Into the Future" during her visit to the Indiana State Fair at 9 a.m. Wednesday (8/14). Three departments from Purdue will be presenting hands-on displays in Exposition Hall, giving visitors a glimpse into the future. Purdue University is working with a 25-member task force called Indiana 2016, which was initiated by Indiana's first lady to encourage individuals, organizations and communities to set their vision on the future of Indiana and how to make it a reality by the year 2016 — the state's 200th birthday. The theme, "Step Into The Future," was chosen to promote inventiveness among the state's students and citizens. Purdue's Discovery Park was chosen by the governor's office to participate in Indiana 2016 because of its interdisciplinary research environment, in which a wide range of specialty areas are gathered together to foster synergy among faculty, students, business and industry for the exploration of new ideas, technologies and products. The Discovery Park displays Judy O'Bannon will tour include: CERIAS, the Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security, will demonstrate a new computer software game called Cyberprotect, which helps users learn to create an individual software program to enhance their computer security. Those who visit the display can play the game, which was designed to teach users (in a fun and non-threatening way) to maximize computer security and customize their computers. By the end of the game users can find out how successful their security choices were in helping prevent – or enable – hackers. CONTACT: Teresa Bennett, (765) 494-7806, tkbennet@cerias.purdue.edu. EPICS (Engineering Projects in Community Service) is a program in the Schools of Engineering that matches teams of undergraduate students with local community service projects. Students will showcase various projects at the fair, including a new toy called the Mag Racer. The Mag Racer was created by students to help children learn key concepts about electricity and technology as they play. CONTACT: Pamela Brown, (765) 494- 0639, pbrown@ecn.purdue.edu. • The miniature mass spectrometer – a small device that can detect chemical warfare agents and other chemicals — will be on display. The spectrometer, which can "sniff" out chemicals in the air, was recently demonstrated on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., along with other prototypes of new sensing technologies that could be utilized in homeland security. Researchers will be on hand to talk about the machine and perform a demonstration on people's breath with safe substances contained in mint. CONTACT: Graham Cooks, (765) 494-5263, cooks@purdue.edu; Yeong Kim, (765) 494-3042, yekim@physics.purdue.edu. By creating Indiana 2016, the O'Bannons hope to engage Hoosiers in thinking about the future – where they want to be and what kind of skills they will need to get there. To boost their imaginations, Discovery Park will be offering the opportunity for children to have pictures taken in one of three "posed" futuristic situations. For information regarding the Discovery Park displays for Indiana 2016, contact Pankaj Sharma, intercenter research director for Discovery Park, (765) 494-4983, sharma@purdue.edu. More information about Indiana 2016 is available on the Web. Purdue getting ready for students' return Purdue University West Lafayette campus will soon welcome new students in anticipation of the start of classes on Monday, Aug. 19. The first major wave of undergraduates will arrive Saturday, Aug. 10, and Sunday, Aug. 11, when 3,600 first-time students will move into University Residences for the Boiler Gold Rush orientation program. It is the largest group ever to participate in the program. Aside from the standard "moving in" story, Boiler Gold Rush offers many interview and photo opportunities. Journalists are invited to cover motivational speaker Kevin Wanzer, who will encourage students to make the most of their college experience. He will speak at 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11, during opening ceremonies for Boiler Gold Rush. Another feature story possibility is Purdue's annual athletics and traditions session, which will take place at Slayter Center for the Performing Arts at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 12. Purdue men's basketball coach Gene Keady will serve as a guest speaker. A number of athletes will be present, along with the marching band, cheerleaders and the Boilermaker Special. Other Boiler Gold Rush coverage opportunities include Unionfest in the Purdue Memorial Union and Late Night at the Recreational Sports Center from 8 p.m. to midnight on Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 12 and 13. Also on Monday, Wendy Fox will offer a humorous and informative alcohol awareness presentation at 1:30 p.m. in the Elliott Hall of Music. Issues related to diversity will be explored at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13, in a presentation entitled "Mosaics: Cultural Diversity on Campus" in the Elliott Hall of Music. New this year is the "Meet the Schools" resource fair. The fair and a picnic will take place Wednesday, Aug. 14, at the Memorial Mall from 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. At 8:30 p.m. that evening, comedian Buzz Sutherland will perform at the Elliott Hall of Music. He is a popular entertainer who has appeared on "Late Night with David Letterman" and the "Jay Leno Show." Orientation will conclude with "Purdue Palooza" at the Purdue West Shopping Center from 2-10 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15. It will feature club-sponsored contests and 11 local bands. A complete listing of the Boiler Gold Rush schedule can be viewed on the web. CONTACT: Bill Schnackel, senior director for University Residences, (765) 494-1000, bschnackel@purdue.edu; Patti Dulik, senior assistant director of orientation and new student programs, (765) 496-6460, pfdulik@purdue.edu. Purdue gears up for Indiana State Fair Journalists covering the Indiana State Fair will find a variety of photo and story opportunities on Purdue Day, Wednesday, Aug. 14. While the School of Agriculture has been a well-known presence at the fair, this will mark the first time that a majority of the various schools and departments will be represented to showcase new research and technology. A student-designed Formula race car will be parked on the fairgrounds' Main Street throughout the day. Fairgoers will be able to get inside the car for a closer look and can question designers. From noon to 2 p.m. astronaut and Purdue alum Jerry Ross will pose for pictures. At 4:30 p.m. he will be part of an autograph session with other Purdue personalities as part of the "Click It Or Ticket" display on the Main Street Stage. Purdue President Martin C. Jischke will join more than 300 university staff and students, who also will be participating in Purdue Day. Sights and sounds will include Purdue cheerleaders, the "All-American" Marching Band and the Boilermaker Special. Guests staying from 5-6:30 p.m. can join the "rally on Main Street Stage," with remarks by Jischke and Purdue dignitaries. Guests will have the opportunity to enter drawings and win free tickets to a Purdue football game, which will be announced at the rally. Journalists needing assistance during Purdue Day at the Indiana State Fair can contact Beth Forbes, Purdue Agricultural Communications, (765) 427-5179 (cell); or Jesica Webb, Purdue News Service, (765) 491-1460 (cell). CONTACT: Dana Neary, Purdue Day co-organizer, (765) 494-1113, nearyd@purdue.edu; Beth Forbes, (765) 494-2722, bforbes@aes.purdue.edu; Jesica Webb, (765) 494-2079, jwebb@purdue.edu. Events • Friday, Aug. 9. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Celebration for Professor Terry West, who has been teaching for 40 years in the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Civil Engineering Building, Room 1144, Dean Michael Forman and others will present opening remarks, and West’s former students and colleagues will make presentations on how he has helped their careers. There will be an evening awards banquet at 6:30 p.m. at University Inn with appearances by West Lafayette Mayor Sonya Margerum and state Rep. Sheila Klinker. Both portions of the event are open to media coverage. CONTACTS: Terry West, (765) 494-4799, trwest@eas.purdue.edu; Jay Wolf, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, (765) 494-4753, jwolf@purdue.edu. • Monday, Aug. 19. Fall semester classes begin. • Monday, Sept. 9. University Senate Meeting. Stewart Center, Room 302. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page