HIGHLIGHTS: Compiling the Encyclopedia of the Midwest--April 14-16.

COMPILING THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE MIDWEST-April 14-16. A first-ever attempt to capture the spirit of the Midwest is being launched this weekend with the inaugural conference on the Encyclopedia of the Midwest. Ohio State is leading the effort to compile the encyclopedia, which will describe the essence of the people who live and work in the 12-state heartland of America. More than 70 senior consulting editors, writers and advisors who are part of the encyclopedia's compilation will begin the process at the Holiday Inn on the Lane, Friday-Sunday (4/14-16). The conference opens at 4 p.m. today (4/14) with an overview of the project and 4:30 session titled Regional Distinctiveness? Sessions tomorrow begin at 8:30 and continue until 3:45 p.m. Collaborators will work on Sunday from 8:30-10 a.m. Writers hope to complete the encyclopedia in time for the Ohio Bicentennial in 2003. The work is sponsored by the Institute for Public Humanities and Collaborative Research at Ohio State.

CONTACT: Charlotte Dihoff, College of Humanities, University Press, 688-8510.

IS THAT YOUR FINAL ANSWER?--April 15. More than 1,400 middle and high school students from 80 Ohio schools will compete in the 16th Ohio Science Olympiad, Saturday, (4/15) from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St. Following a format of popular board games, TV shows and athletic games, teams of students will be quizzed on biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, computers and technology. Ohio winners will advance to the National Science Olympiad in May at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Wash.

CONTACT: Leslie Deaderick, University Relations, 292-0569, or (day of event), Sarah Sieling, Continuing Education, 620-1743.

GRADUATE STUDENTS HOST RESEARCH FORUM--April 15. Ohio State's Council of Graduate Students will host the 15th Edward F. Hayes Graduate Research Forum and awards luncheon, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., tomorrow (4/15) in MacPherson Laboratory, 140 West 18th Ave. More than 80 Ohio State graduate students will present their original research at the forum in search of recognition and prize money. Faculty will judge presentations.

CONTACT: Ron Meyers, President Council of Graduate Students, 688-3702.

SO YOU WANT TO BE A VETERINARIAN? MAYBE AN OPTOMETRIST?--April 15-16. Two colleges offer career information and tours this weekend: The College of Veterinary Medicine offers a Career Day and Hospital Tour on Saturday (4/15). Meet at the Veterinary Hospital Auditorium, 601 Tharp Street at 10 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. for a program that includes a brief history of the college, admissions procedures, student life presented by current veterinary students, career opportunities and hospital tours.

CONTACT: Bonnie Bates, College of Veterinary Medicine, 292-9296.

LEARN TO BE AN OPTOMETRIST--April 16. The College of Optometry will hold its annual Optometry Open House on Sunday (4/16) from 1-4 p.m. at the College, 338 W. 10th Avenue. Anyone interested in becoming an optometrist can talk to current students and faculty, tour classrooms, labs, examination rooms and clinics. There are only 19 schools and colleges of optometry in the United States and Canada and the Ohio State University College of Optometry is ranked among the best.

CONTACT: Sally Haltom, College of Optometry, 292-2647.

NEW WAYS TO TEACH EXOTIC LANGUAGES--April 18. Galal Walker, professor of East Asian Languages and Literatures, will present "Experiencing Another Culture," at the College of Humanities fourth Inaugural Lecture of the Year, Tuesday (4/18) at 7:30 p.m. at the Faculty Club. Walker will look at methods of teaching Chinese and other languages in a way that incorporates a sense of the culture.

CONTACT: Shari Lorbach, College of Humanities, 292-1882.

The person listed as the contact for each item will have the best information about the story. Call our media relations staff for help 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)