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January 28, 2000 JOURNALISTS: Here are some story ideas and a list of selected Purdue events during the next two weeks. Character development in the classroom Across the nation educators have been challenged to teach character and civic responsibility in the classroom. In Indiana, fourth- through ninth-grade school teachers can learn methods that promote character development by attending the 2000 Ackerman Summer Institute at Purdue. Participating teachers will receive a $500 grant to use in the classroom for programs and projects that promote character development. CONTACT: Lynn Nelson, director of the James F. Ackerman Center for Democratic Citizenship, (765) 494-4755, lrnelson@purdue.edu, or visit the Web site. Winter precautions for pet owners In winter weather we tolerate the cold by adding gloves, hats, scarves and boots, but how should we care for our pets as the temperatures fall? All outdoor animals should have shelter facing southeast, away from blustery winds, according to Dr. Steve Thompson, director of the Pet Wellness Clinic at Purdue. Indoor pets will have a greater problem adjusting to the cold than those that became acclimated to the outdoors this fall. "Owners should be cautioned that dogs and cats can lose considerable heat through their pads, ears and head," Thompson says. He adds that owners should make sure water bowls don't freeze and that pets are isolated from spilled antifreeze, which can kill them if they ingest it. For more tips on caring for pets in cold weather, contact Thompson at (765) 494-1107 (pager 4084); (765) 496-3399; or e-mail him at sthompso@vet.purdue.edu Events • Wednesday, Feb. 2.  C. Lamont Gibson, founder of the Sao Paulo Group, which provides enabling technology and infrastructure to developing countries globally, is the Black Cultural Center alumni guest speaker at 7 p.m. in the BCC Multipurpose Room. CONTACT: Renee Thomas, BCC director, (765) 494-3091, rathomas@hfs.purdue.edu • Friday, Feb. 4.  Board of Trustees. 10 a.m. Room 304 (Anniversary Drawing Room), Purdue Memorial Union. CONTACTS: Jeanne V. Norberg, director, Purdue News Service, (765) 494-2084; jeanne_norberg@purdue.edu, or Joseph L. Bennett, vice president for university relations, (765) 494-2082; joe_bennett@purdue.edu • Friday, Feb. 4.  Robert L. Ganchiff, president, Ganchiff Communications, Chicago, will discuss "Confronting Uncertainty With More Uncertainty: Thoughts About Leadership and Careers" in the Krannert Executive Forum at 11:30 a.m. in the Krannert Auditorium. Reporters are asked to refrain from asking questions, videotaping or taking photographs during the lecture, but all are allowed during the student question-and-answer sessions. CONTACT: Tim Newton, director of external relations, School of Management, (765) 496-7271, tnewton@mgmt.purdue.edu • Tuesday, Feb. 8.  Annual Midwest Retail Management Career Fair. 10 a.m.-noon and 1:30-3 p.m. South Ballroom, Purdue Memorial Union. Over 25 companies will attend the conference to interview for internships or permanent placement. CONTACT: Sally Harmon, internship and conference director in the Department of Consumer Sciences and Retailing, (765) 494-8306, sharmon@purdue.edu • Wednesday, Feb. 9.  Lester Thurow, professor of economics at MIT, discusses "The Knowledge-Based Economy That Lies Behind Globalization" as the first of five speakers in the Sears Lecture Series at 8 p.m. in the North Ballroom, Purdue Memorial Union. CONTACT: Mark Tilton, associate professor of political science, (765) 494-4176, tilton@polysci.purdue.edu • Thursday, Feb. 10.  Molefi Kente Asante, founder of the theory of Afrocentricity, delivers the Black History Month Keynote Address at 7 p.m. in Fowler Hall, Stewart Center. Asante's talk is part of the Black Cultural Center's Spring 2000 Cultural Arts Series. He is a professor and chairman of the Department of African American Studies at Temple University. He also created the first doctorate program in African-American studies at a major university. CONTACT: Renee Thomas, BCC director, (765) 494-3091, rathomas@hfs.purdue.edu • Saturday, Feb. 12.  18th annual Rube Goldberg Machine Contest. 11 a.m. Elliott Hall of Music. Contest winner will advance to the national contest April 8 at Purdue. The task for this year is to place in a time capsule a minimum of seven items representing the best inventions, ideas and discoveries of the past 100 years. Video and photographs of past contests are available. Journalists will not be allowed on the stage with the machines during the competition, but they are welcome on stage before and after the contest. Purdue will provide video and photo pool coverage and direct audio and video feeds. An ISDN line is available for radio interviews. Video b-roll, photos and a news release will be available the afternoon of the event. Satellite assistance is available. CONTACT: Jesica Webb at the Purdue News Service, (765) 494-2079, jwebb@purdue.edu   To the Purdue News and Photos Page