Purdue Story Ideas

January 25,2002 JOURNALISTS: Here are story ideas and a list of selected Purdue events during the next two weeks. News conference The Greater Lafayette Chapter of the Alliance for Indiana's Future invites you to attend a news conference at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday (1/30) in the Tippecanoe Room of the Tippecanoe County Government Office Building, Third and Columbia streets, Lafayette. The local alliance, which represents more than 16 area organizations and institutions, will address the current state crisis involving taxes, economic development and education. For more information, contact E. Dana Smith, president of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, (765) 742-4041, dana@lafayettechamber.com. Student groups to present check for Red Cross 9/11 relief Purdue student leaders on Monday (1/28) will present a check to the American Red Cross for recovery assistance for the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The funds, which were raised over the past four months in the Purdue Student Government's "Reflect, Respect, Restore" campaign, will be accepted by Sana Booker, chairman of disaster services for the Tippecanoe County chapter of the Red Cross, during a reception beginning at 10 a.m. in Room 118 of the Purdue Memorial Union. In addition to Booker, Purdue Student Government President Brenda Shea, Vice President Erin Taylor and other student group leaders will be available for interviews. CONTACT: Brenda Shea, (765) 532-3367, bshea@purdue.edu, or the PSG Office, (765) 494-7201. 4-H members to meet in Indianapolis Indiana 4-H members will gather on Tuesday (1/29) in Indianapolis to discuss how to address concerns identified by youth across the state. This year marks the centennial of the 4-H program. With the theme "The Power of Youth," 4-H organized local "conversations" on youth issues across Indiana which will culminate in this statewide event. Honorary chairperson Judy O'Bannon will kick off the day starting a 9:15 a.m. The Indiana Conversation on Youth Development will be at the Adams Mark Hotel, 120 W. Market St., and will conclude at 3:45 p.m. A national conversation will be in Washington, D.C., Feb. 28 through March 2. CONTACT: Carl Broady, 4-H youth program coordinator, (765) 494-8435, carl.broady@four-h.purdue.edu. Ag Fish Fry to feature Bob Dole Bob Dole will be the headline speaker when the Fish Fry moves to Cumberland Place Exhibition Center in West Lafayette, Ind., at 11:30 .m. Saturday, Feb. 2. Dole was the Republican candidate for president in 1996, vice presidential candidate in 1976 and served as Senate leader of the Republican Party for 12 years. For the first time since 1958, the Fish Fry will move out of the Purdue Armory and off campus. Prior to the Fish Fry, the annual Ag Forecast will be held in the University Inn Conference Center, adjacent to Cumberland Place. A discussion on environmental issues and the new farm bill legislation will feature panelists Jim Moseley, deputy secretary of agriculture, and a representative of the Environmental Protection Agency. Orion Samuelson, host of U.S. Farm Report, will moderate the discussion, which will start at 9:15 a.m. Admission to the Ag Forecast is free. Contact: Beth Forbes, Purdue Ag Communications, (765) 494-2722. Research park companies look to fill positions Journalists will have the opportunity to talk to job seekers and company representatives on Tuesday, Feb. 5, during the Purdue Research Park Job Fair. At the event, job seekers will be able to learn about high-tech employment opportunities at the Purdue Research Park. Those looking for high-tech careers will be able to meet with representatives from a handful of the park's startup firms, as well as with established companies in the park. These companies are focusing their recruitment efforts in the engineering, science, information technology and pharmacy fields. Full-time and part-time positions, as well as internships, are available. Journalists can talk with job seekers and company representatives from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Purdue Technology Center, 3000 Kent Ave, West Lafayette. CONTACT: Jeanine Phipps, (765) 496-3133, jeanine@purdue.edu. Rube Goldberg contest rallies 'round the flag Purdue University's 20th annual Rube Goldberg Machine Contest will salute "Old Glory" on Saturday, Feb. 9. The local contest begins at 11 a.m. in the Elliott Hall of Music on the West Lafayette campus and is free and open to the public. The winners will represent Purdue April 6 in the national contest, which also will be at Purdue. This year's student teams must build a machine to secure, raise and wave the national flag in at least 20 steps. The competition honors the late cartoonist Rube Goldberg, who specialized in drawing whimsical machines with complex mechanisms to perform simple tasks. Journalists are welcome on stage before and after the contest but will not be allowed on the stage with the machines during the competition. 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. Video and photographs of past contests are available. Contact: Grant Flora, Purdue News Service, (765) 494-2073, gflora@purdue.edu. Events • Monday, Jan. 28. University Senate meeting – canceled. • Friday, Feb. 8. 9 a.m. Room 326, Stewart Center. Board of Trustees meeting. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page