December 30, 1996 Newsmakers

Purdue News

"Science Reports," a radio science program carried on more than 200 commercial stations and a number of public radio stations, came to campus in late November to interview three researchers on their recent studies:

Stephen Badylak

, director of the Hillenbrand Biomedical Engineering Center, talking on progress in using SIS -- a tissue made from pig's intestines -- to treat a variety of injuries and wounds;

Cathrin DeNooyer

, a graduate student in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, on her work using CAT scans to analyze fossils; and

Ronald Andres

, professor of chemical engineering, on using tiny clusters of gold atoms to create an ultrathin film capable of conducting electricity. (smg/12-3-96)

Fred

, the Travelin' Truckin' dog that was seriously injured in an accident in Texas earlier this fall, was released from the Purdue Small Animal Hospital following two successful surgeries and a skin graft. Fred's owner, an Evansville cross-country truck driver, was referred to Purdue by an Evansville veterinarian who is a Purdue graduate. CNN aired a segment on his treatment and departure several times during Thanksgiving Day. His recovery and departure also were covered by two Evansville television stations, three Indianapolis television stations and Network Indiana, a statewide radio news service. One of the Evansville stations made the story available to ABC affiliates around the country via satellite. (GBJ and LER 961127)

Richard Feinberg

, professor of consumer sciences and retailing, was interviewed by CBS Radio News Network concerning consumers' reaction to shopping in malls. Feinberg also was a guest on a radio station talk program in Oklahoma City to answer questions about consumer rights issues. He also was interviewed by Network Indiana, a statewide radio network, and WIBC Radio in Indianapolis concerning Christmas sales. (gbj961120)

Purdue Placement Director

Richard Stewart

says the job market for new graduates is the best in years. "This is the highest (on-campus recruiting level) we've seen since the '80s," he says in an article published in the Cincinnati Enquirer . "Companies that wouldn't even interview on campus are complaining because they aren't seeing enough students." Stewart says the best markets are for students in computer engineering, software engineering and computer engineers with management backgrounds. However, opportunities are available to students in all majors. Stewart also was quoted in the Denver Post , Washington Times and Salt Lake Tribune . (jmw 12-18-96)

Purdue is one of about 30 universities in the country offering complete electronic applications, according to a story in the San Diego Union-Tribune . The "Partners" program available from the Office of Admissions offers a secure, toll-free number that potential students can dial-up with their computers and fill out their application. Staff in the Office of Admissions estimate that electronic forms make up only 1 percent or 2 percent of the total applications, but expect that figure to grow. (12-18-96)

A Purdue-developed fix for business computer programs facing a year 2000 crash because they can't cope with the dates when a new century dawns has been getting attention in national newspapers. The Purdue solution developed by the Department of Management Information under the supervision of

Jerry D. Smith

, director of administrative computing, works with programs written in COBOL, the most common computer language for business programs. Stories about the solution, marketed by Venture 2000 of Jacksonville, Fla., have appeared in the Louisville Courier-Journal , Milwaukee Journal Sentinel , San Antonio Express-News and Tulsa World . (jmw 12/18/96)

Redbook magazine tapped the expertise of

Berdine Martin

, research associate in foods and nutrition, for a story about what children should eat to stay healthy. Her advice: Pay particular attention to calcium starting in early adolescence. She says that's because bones reach their lifetime peak in mineral density during the teen years. (baf 12/14/96)

In an article on the Internet, the Hartford (Conn.) Courant listed the Virtual Reference Desk of the

Purdue Libraries

as one of several sites that people on the Net might want to check. The electronic page has links to selected government documents, maps and travel information, science data and a host of other resources. (ler 12/20/96)

Student residence halls are using more electricity with the proliferation of high-tech items such as computers, laser printers and microwaves, according to a story carried nationwide by the Associated Press .

Tim Gennett,

director of facilities for housing and food services, says the increasing electrical load was considered before the construction of Hillenbrand Hall. A survey showed Purdue students average 17 appliances per room. As a result, each room in Hillenbrand has eight outlets, twice the number in the university's older residence halls. (jmw 12-20-96)