Purdue Best Bets

May 29, 1998 JOURNALISTS: Here's an idea for a news story and a list of some Purdue events during the next two weeks. Summer sun energizes research "Solar power is clean and inexhaustible, and while it won't totally replace fossil fuels, it does have its niche in the marketplace," says Jeff Gray, a professor of electrical and computer engineering who is conducting research on solar cells, devices that convert sunlight into electricity. In the future, homes, supermarkets and parking garages may have sun-powered plug-in stations to charge the batteries of electric cars. There already are several solar-powered consumer products, including patio lights, calculators and highway signs -- Gray even has a solar-powered electric fence for his horses. One of Gray's challenges as a researcher is to understand what kinds of materials make the most efficient solar cells. Gray is adviser to a group of Purdue students who race solar-powered cars, and to another group that is working with Habitat for Humanity to develop a solar-powered attic fan. CONTACT: Jeff Gray, (765) 494-3478/3390; e-mail, grayj@ecn.purdue.edu Call center operators learn latest tricks from Purdue Call Center Campus will be June 2-4 on the Purdue campus. The conference is designed to update call center operators on the latest technologies and methods. Highlights of the conference include: Ronald Blake, president of Ameritech Small Business Services, talking about "Customer Attentiveness: A Key to Profitable Growth" at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday (6/2) in Fowler Hall, Stewart Center. Paul Cole, author of "Customer Connections," speaking at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday (6/2) in the South Ballroom, Memorial Union. Gary Drook, president and CEO of Ruppman Marketing Technologies, talking on "Then, Now and Later: Call Center Evolution From Rolodex to Web" at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday (6/3) in the South Ballroom, Memorial Union. Tom Shimko, president and CEO of Rogers Group, on "One-to-One Marketing in a Call Center" at 1:10 p.m. Thursday (6/4) in Fowler Hall, Stewart Center. The event is sponsored by Purdue's Department of Consumer Sciences and Retailing and Ameritech. CONTACT: Richard Feinberg, professor of consumer sciences and retailing, (765) 494-8296. Events Tuesday, June 9. Farm Management Tour media pretour. The 1998 Indiana Farm Management Tour will be held July 7 and 8 on five farms in Howard and Tipton counties. Journalists are invited to the dry run on June 9. The operations grow the traditional corn and soybeans, tomatoes, banana peppers and hogs but with unique methods of productions and associated entrepreneurial enterprises. For details and lunch reservations for the June 9 pretour, contact Howard Doster, (765) 494-4250. Wednesday-Friday, June 10-12. 85th Home and Family Conference. Featured speakers are Naomi Griffith, a child welfare expert, and Betty Sinnock, founder and senior partner of the Beardstown Ladies Investment Club. Other session topics include food safety, family issues and money matters. CONTACT: Betty Krejci, (765) 494-8252; e-mail, krejcib@cfs.purdue.edu Wednesday-Friday, June 10-12. 4-H Science Workshops. These workshops allow youths to explore areas of interest in a university setting. Workshops will cover these topics: aerospace, ambassador, animal science, computer science, environmental conservation, food and nutrition, mechanical science, and plant science. CONTACT: Bob Ritchie, (765) 494-8439, e-mail, bob_ritchie@four-h.purdue.edu Friday, June 12. Dinner and roast of Purdue basketball coach Gene Keady. 6:30 p.m. Ballrooms, Purdue Memorial Union. Master of ceremonies will be former Michigan State University basketball coach Jud Heathcote. CONTACT: John Purdue Club, (765) 494-3248. Part of the Legends Weekend to honor Keady, who became Purdue's winningest basketball coach with his 372nd win in December. Saturday, June 13. Purdue Legends Basketball Game. 1:30 p.m. Mackey Arena. More than 300 former Purdue players have been invited to play. CONTACT: John Purdue Club, (765) 494-3248. Part of the Legends Weekend to honor coach Gene Keady. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page