Purdue Story Ideas

July 22, 2002 JOURNALISTS: Here are story ideas and a list of selected Purdue events during the next two weeks. Educators attend Literacy Institute at Purdue Journalists interested in literacy issues will have a wide range of expertise available when more than 400 educators attend the Purdue University Summer Literacy Institute Tuesday (7/23) through Thursday (7/25). Speakers will discuss topics related to the theme "Making Connections: Supporting Learners through Strategic Teaching." All sessions will be at Stewart Center. Maribeth C. Schmitt, director of the Purdue Literacy Network Project, which is sponsoring the Institute, is among the speakers. She is president of the Reading Recovery Council of North America. Opening sessions begin at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. Wednesday at 9 a.m. Gay Su Pinnell, a professor in the School of Teaching and Learning at Ohio State University, will deliver the keynote address. She has extensive experience in classroom teaching and field-based research and in developing comprehensive approaches to literacy education. Thursday sessions are designed for superintendents and administrators. The Purdue Literacy Network Project in the Purdue School of School of Education provides professional development for the purpose of creating a comprehensive reading and writing programs for children in elementary grades. CONTACT: Maribeth C. Schmitt, (765) 494-5683, mschmitt@purdue.edu. Summer Literacy Institute Web site. Indy wine competition growing again Journalists can get a first-hand look at one of the nation's largest wine competitions on Thursday through Saturday (7/25-27) at the Indy International Wine Competition. The competition, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds' Exposition Hall, was the nation's second largest contest in 2001, with nearly 2,800 entries. The number of entries for this year's taste-off is near 3,200, with more coming in. The largest competition so far this year was the Los Angeles County Fair Wines of the World Competition, which had nearly 3,400 entries. Journalists can sit with judges and sample the entries. The judging is open for public viewing from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday (7/25-26) and from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday (7/27), when the concordance gold wines compete for best of show honors. CONTACT: Sally Linton, Indiana Wine Grape Council at Purdue, (765) 496-3842, or starting today (Monday, 7/22) at the competition site at (317) 927-7526. WBAA joins 'Tools for Schools' campaign The costs of sending children back to school can be prohibitive for many low-income families. To ease the financial burden, WBAA Radio is helping to organize the "Tools for Schools" campaign to gather school supplies and clothing for low-income children in Greater Lafayette. Organizers are available to talk about the campaign and the need within the community. There also are video and photo opportunities during the collection and distribution of supplies. The supplies and new or gently used clothing for the "Tools for Schools" campaign will be distributed on Saturday, Aug. 10, from 9-11:30 a.m. at the Salvation Army, 1110 Union St., Lafayette, and from 1-3 p.m. at the Community and Family Resource Center, 330 Fountain St., Lafayette. Boxes have been placed at several drop-off sites throughout Greater Lafayette and on the Purdue campus. CONTACT: Dan Skinner, WBAA director, (765) 494-3960, deskinner@purdue.edu; Tracie Hughes, WBAA development coordinator, (765) 496-7794, tehughes@purdue.edu; Natalie Kubat, emergency services director at the Community and Family Resource Center, (765) 742-5046, nkubat@cfrc.org; and Dege Coutee, Salvation Army director of social services, (765) 742-0006. Purdue Day at the Indiana State Fair Purdue University is packing up for Purdue Day at the Indiana State Fair on Wednesday, Aug. 14. While the School of Agriculture has been a well-known presence at the State Fair, this will mark the first time in Purdue history that a majority of the various schools and departments will be represented at the fair to showcase new research and technology. Purdue President Martin C. Jischke will join more than 300 university staff and students, who also will be participating in the event. Purdue personalities and special alums – such as astronaut Jerry Ross, and Miss Indiana Tangra Riggle (a Purdue student) also are expected to attend. Sights and sounds will include Purdue cheerleaders, the "All-American" Marching Band and the Boilermaker Special. Guests staying from 5-6:30 p.m. can join the "rally on Main Street Stage," with remarks by Jischke and Purdue dignitaries. Guests will have the opportunity to enter drawings and win free tickets to a Purdue football game, which will be announced at the rally. Journalists needing assistance during Purdue Day at the Indiana State Fair can contact Beth Forbes, Purdue Agricultural Communications, (765) 427-5179 (cell); or Jesica Webb, Purdue News Service, (765) 491-1460 (cell). CONTACT: Dana Neary, Purdue Day co-organizer, (765) 494-1113, nearyd@purdue.edu; Beth Forbes, (765) 494-2722, bforbes@aes.purdue.edu; Jesica Webb, (765) 494-2079, jwebb@purdue.edu. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page