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April 21, 2000 JOURNALISTS: Here are two story ideas and a list of selected Purdue events during the next two weeks. Humor in health care Leslie Mahara Gibson, a native of Lafayette and a nationally known motivational speaker, will address area students, nurses and other health-care providers on the topic of "Humor in Health Care" at 12:30 p.m. Friday, April 28, at the University Inn. Gibson is a Purdue graduate and registered nurse. Her talk is part of the Purdue School of Nursing's second annual Gala Celebration of Nursing, which runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day. Other events include a presentation at 9 a.m. by Jane Rothrock, a nationally known author and speaker, on "Staying Sane in the Fast Lane." CONTACT: RuthAnn Smolen, School of Nursing, (765) 494-4009 Three-time Indy 500 winner guest at Grand Prix Johnny Rutherford, a three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, will be the featured guest and grand marshal of the 43rd Purdue Grand Prix on April 29. The 50-mile, 160-lap go-kart race, billed as "The Greatest Spectacle in College Racing," will begin about 3 p.m. Twenty-seven of the 33 starting spots will be set during qualifications on April 22, 24 and 25. The last six spots on the grid will be filled from three sprint races starting at 11:30 a.m. April 29. A parade led by Rutherford will leave the parking lot south of Ross-Ade Stadium at 1:45 p.m. and travel north to the kart track. Journalists who plan to cover the race must get credentials at a media tent that will be set up south of the track before the race. The race is presented by the Purdue Grand Prix Foundation, a student-run, nonprofit organization that raises money for student scholarships. CONTACT: Marie Hernandez, Grand Prix promotions director, (765) 494-2708, mdhernan@purdue.edu Events • Monday April 24.  Soybean Utilization Contest awards program. Purdue student teams will receive awards for innovative products they created using soybeans at 10:30 a.m. at Something Different restaurant, 4939 E. 82nd St. on the north side of Indianapolis. Journalists should arrange coverage in advance by contacting Belinda Puetz at the Indiana Soybean Board, (317) 347-3620, or Beth Forbes at Purdue Ag Communications, (765) 494-2722. • Monday, April 24.  Natural foods dinner. 6-10 p.m. Wesley Foundation, 435 State St. Purdue Student Government/Environmental Action is sponsoring this free dinner. CONTACT: Mary Lyn Stoll, (765) 494-7201 • Wednesday, April 26.  Chemistry Funfest .11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Memorial Mall and Class of '50 Lecture Hall. The National Organization for the Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers is sponsoring this series of simple chemistry demonstrations. CONTACT: Marquita Qualls, (765) 494-0425 • Wednesday, April 26.  Grand Prix bed race qualifications. 6-8 p.m. Grand Prix Track north of Ross Ade Stadium. The featured race will be run at 1:45 p.m. Saturday, April 29, as part of Grand Prix festivities. CONTACT: Amanda Moseley, (765) 494-2708 • Friday-Sunday, April 28-30.  Gala Week. The Purdue Alumni Association has planned reunions, entertainment and activities for alumni who return for the university's annual Gala Week celebration. CONTACT: Purdue Alumni Association, paa@paa.purdue.edu, (765) 494-5175 • Friday, April 28.  Grand Slam Battle of the Bands. 5:30 p.m. Front lawn of Purdue Memorial Union. The six bands competing are No Reason Given, Allison Wonderland, Dr. Scerri's Smokin' Sunset Band, The Slizzerd Kings, Flyin' LeRoys, and Groove Hop. There also will be games such as potato sack races, three-legged races, bean bag toss, ring toss, hula hoops, a watermelon-eating contest, and Twister. Sponsored by Purdue Student Government and Purdue Student Union Board as part of the Grand Alternative event series. CONTACT: Beth Riedeman, PSUB, (765) 494-8976, perform_arts@hotmail.com Saturday April 29.  10:15 a.m. David Robert Lewis, Purdue's first black engineering graduate (Class of 1894), will be honored by the School of Civil Engineering with the dedication of a plaque in his honor in the Civil Engineering lobby. The bronze plaque was crafted by renowned black sculptor Ed Hamilton. CONTACT: Ronald Wukasch, professor of environmental and hydraulic engineering, (765) 494-2201, wukasch@ecn.purdue.edu • Saturday, April 29.  Pagan Academic Network holds a May Day celebration, including a maypole dance. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Memorial Mall. CONTACT: Juno Farnsworth, (765) 474-1865 To the Purdue News and Photos Page