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October 13, 2000 JOURNALISTS: Here is a story idea and select events from the Purdue News Service. To arrange interviews or campus visits, contact Jesica Webb, (765) 494-2079 or page her, (765) 743-4333-4117. Take a fish to work: An a-'lure'-ing story idea Talk around the water cooler may get a little more interesting on Oct. 25. The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association has proclaimed that day as the nation's first "Take a Fish to Work Day". Alan Beck, director of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University, says pets may have therapeutic value in the workplace. "The fish tank provides available access to nature and cues us in to the good feeling associated with the outdoors, something often missing from the work place," he says. For more information on "Take a Fish to Work Day," how companies can participate, or the healthy benefits of pets in general, CONTACT: Beck, (765) 494-0854; e-mail, abeck@purdue.edu Events • Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 17 and 18. Photo opportunity. Purdue President Martin C. Jischke will be dining with the students at Wiley Residence Hall on Tuesday at 6 p.m., and the women of Chi Omega sorority on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. The president's visits are part of his efforts to work and communicate with students. CONTACT: Ben Miller, director of current issues of the Interfraternity Council, (743) 743-9003 ext. 281; e-mail, brmiller@purdue.edu • Wednesday, Oct. 25. 1 p.m. Atrium Dining Room, Hillenbrand Hall. Sandra Leek, director of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission, will be the key note speaker on issues of violence and hate crimes at the Student Services Systemwide Seminar. At 10:30 a.m. Leek will give her first address to students who are taking IDIS 490B, a course devoted to the study of causes and solutions to hatred and violence. Purdue President Martin C. Jischke also will be a guest speaker. CONTACT: Sandra Monroe, (765) 494-5779, or e-mail, skmonroe@purdue.edu • Thursday and Friday, Oct. 26 and 27. Biotechnology in Agriculture, a symposium for high-school science teachers, sponsored by the School of Agriculture. 9:00 a.m. Room 314, Stewart Center. Sessions offered include a lecture about the tools of biotechnology, cloning techniques, a tour of state-of-the-art plant research facilities, and a lecture on the social and ethical issues of biotechnology. CONTACT: Marlaya H. Wyncott, (765) 494-9849. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 27-28. President's Council Annual Weekend. Members of the President's Council will gather to meet Purdue's 10th president and first lady. Friday events include an 8 a.m. breakfast with Purdue President Martin C. Jischke at the Purdue Memorial Union and lectures by some of Purdue's most distinguished professors. On Saturday, before the Ohio State game, President's Council members will share a pre-game social hour and buffet at the Great Hall and North and South Ballrooms in the Purdue Memorial Union. CONTACT: Carolyn S. Gery, (800) 676-0158 or (765) 494-2731. • Friday, Nov. 3. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Entrepreneurs' Forum. Room 310, Stewart Center. Sponsored by the Office of Technology Commercialization. Monthly, hour-long seminar invites faculty, staff, students and other interested individuals to network and learn more about how to start a company. Speakers are entrepreneurs, investors or consultants who work with new business ventures, primarily in Purdue Research Park's business incubator system. Featured speaker will be Teri Willey, vice president, ARCH Development Partners, LLC. Topic: "Starting Companies Based on University Innovations in Science and Teaching." CONTACT: Maureen Schmidt Ward, (765) 494-2610; msward@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page