Highlights: Hair Ball Alert--March 11.

Gimme a head of hair!--March 11. Big hair, multi-colored hair, and wild hair styles will be rule Saturday night (3/11) as Friends of the Wexner Center for the Arts hold the fourth annual Hair Ball, which raises funds for the center's children and family programs. The party kicks off at 9 p.m. at the center. Contact: Karen Simonian, Wexner Center, 292-9923.

Lawyers have problems, too --March 13. Stanford University Law Professor Deborah Rhode will discuss Lawyers and Their Discontent as she delivers the Strong Lecture at the Ohio State University College of Law at 2 p.m. on Monday (3/13) in the Auditorium of the Ohio State University College of Law, 55 West 12th Ave. Rhode, an expert on professional responsibility and gender discrimination, has written seven books, including Speaking of Sex: The Denial of Gender Inequality and Gender Equality and Employment Policy. The Frank R. Strong Law Forum honors the dean of the College of Law from 1952 to 1965. Contact: Liz Cutler Gates, College of Law, 292-0283.

The Envelope, Please--March 16. Months of suspense will end Thursday (3/16) for 186 Ohio State senior medical students when they unseal envelopes revealing where they will spend the next several years of medical training. It's National Residency Match Day at Ohio State's College of Medicine and Public Health. Students tear open the envelopes precisely at noon in the Rhodes Hall Auditorium, 450 W. 10th Ave. Media parking is available in the main driveway. Residencies last from three to seven years, depending on the specialty. Students and hospitals rank each other in order of preference, but a computer does the final matching. Contact: David Crawford, Medical Center Communications, 293-3737.

Hungry? Genetically Modified Food Spoken Here --March 16. What are genetically modified foods? Are they safe? How do they impact the environment? Should we label them? Learn the story behind genetically modified foods at a session led by Ohio State University scientists on Thursday (3/16), 9:30-10:30 a.m. in 244 Kottman Hall, 2120 Coffey Rd. Sponsored by the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, this background session for reporters will provide research-based information on this emerging technology. You'll meet and learn about sources to contact when news hits about genetically modified foods. Contact: Suzanne Steel, College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, 292-9637.

Muse to Descend on Commencement--March 17. Poet, professor and distinguished alumnus David Citino will add a literary flair to Ohio State's winter 2000 commencement address on Friday (3/17). Citino will address approximately 1,400 graduates, who will receive degrees during the ceremony in St. John Arena. Commencement begins at 9:30 a.m. PLEASE NOTE: THE MEDIA SECTION HAS BEEN RELOCATED to the southeast corner of the arena floor. Reporters wishing to sit in the media section should arrive before 9:30 a.m. or after 10 a.m., so as not to interfere with the procession. Credentials have been mailed to media. Contact: Karissa Shivley, 292-8295.

Speaking of Math...--March 17. The Department of Mathematics welcomes more than 60 high school teachers on Friday (3/17), for a "Math Conversations Conference." The program begins at 9:30 a.m., with department chair Peter March discussing programs, opportunities and new initiatives in math. At 10 a.m. a panel discussion will review issues that students face in their transition to college. At 11a.m., Professor Ruth Charney will present "A Visit to the Non-Euclidean world." In the afternoon, teachers can discuss issues in today's high schools, particularly the impact of proficiency tests, and share strategies for solving problems. Contact: Kythrie Silva, College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, 292-5101.

The SUV Of The Future is Being Built Here--Ohio State is one of 15 schools participating in a national contest to enhance the "green-ness" of a Chevrolet Suburban SUV. FutureTruck 2000, co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and General Motors Corporation, is an effort to bring new ideas to automotive design and engineering. A brand new Suburban was delivered to Ohio State in January, and engineering students are now modifying it to improve fuel economy while maintaining comfort, safety and performance. In June, all 15 FutureTrucks will head to GM's Desert Proving Ground in Mesa, Ariz., for a week of competition and evaluation on factors including safety, greenhouse gas impact, acceleration, handling, exhaust emissions, braking, fuel economy, consumer acceptability, trailer towing capacity, and off-road performance. Contact: Professor Giorgio Rizzoni, FutureTruck faculty adviser, 292-3137; Ai Linh Hua, FutureTruck 2000 Team PR Manager, 688-4084; or Gina Langen, College of Engineering, Communications, 688-4423.

The person listed as the contact for each item will have the best information about the story. Call on our media relations staff for assistance with these or other Ohio State news stories--Elizabeth Conlisk, 292-3040; Amy Murray, 292-8385; Lesley Deaderick, 292-0569; Melinda Sadar, 292-8298; and Karissa Shivley, 292-8295.

*Compiled by Amy Murray, University Relations, (Murray-Goedde.1@osu.edu).