HIGHLIGHTS: Graduates hit the street - Aug. 31

Student invention wins national award - Sept. 8

BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETS - Aug. 30. The Ohio State University Board of Trustees will meet in regular session at 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday (8/30) in the Longaberger Alumni House, 2200 Olentangy River Road. Committee meetings, where most of the discussion takes place, begin at 9:15 a.m. Contact: Melinda Sadar, University Relations, 292-8298.

NEW GRADUATES HIT THE STREET - Aug. 31. John E. Pepper, chairman of Procter & Gamble's board of directors, will be the speaker at Ohio State's summer commencement exercises, Thursday (8/31) in St. John Arena. Approximately 1,400 graduates will receive degrees during the ceremony, which begins at 9:30 a.m. In addition to the graduates, honorary doctorates will be presented to Jules LaPidus, retired president of the Council of Graduate Schools; renowned agricultural research scientist R. S. Paroda; and Pepper. The Distinguished Service Award will be presented to alumni Donna M. Alvarado, founder and managing director of Aguila International; and Robert A. Barnes, chairman of the board of United Carriers Corporation. Contact: Melinda Sadar 292-8298.

ENGINEERING STUDENTS WIN INVENTORS AWARD - Sept. 8. The National Inventors Hall of Fame in Akron is giving top honors, including a $20,000 prize, to a process designed by two recent Ohio State engineering graduates. Matt Dickerson and Ray Unocic, who earned bachelor's degrees in materials science and engineering (MSE) last June, teamed up as undergraduates to invent a manufacturing method that produces a low-cost, high-performance ceramic composite. The method - called Pressureless, Reversible Infiltration of Molten Alloys or PRIMA - won top honors at the 2000 National Collegiate Inventors Award Competition. Dickerson and Unocic are the only undergraduates to win an award in this year's competition. Competition officials call PRIMA a "dramatic breakthrough" in the low-cost processing of high-performance, complex-shaped non-oxide ceramic composites, including nitrides, carbides and borides. Ohio State has filed a patent application on PRIMA. Prizes will be presented by Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Computers, at a luncheon September 8 in Akron. They'll also be recognized at the National Inventors Hall of Fame induction on September 9. Contact: Dana Stone, College of Engineering, 292-4064; or Matt Dickerson, inventor, 292-8971.

OFF TO COLLEGE? WARD OFF THE HOMESICK BLUES - Most students going off to college for the first time are surprised to find themselves feeling homesick. Even though they see themselves as independent and are often excited about being on their own, many students find themselves calling or going home every weekend. Counselors at Ohio State have helped their share of homesick students adjust to their new environment. Our experts advise students to make friends and get involved, ideally during the first two weeks at college, to ease separation anxiety from family and friends. Contact: Karissa L. Shivley, University Relations, 292-8395

RACIAL PROFILING SHOWS UNEQUAL JUSTICE FOR BLACKS, BOOK SAYS - Racial profiling by police officers would make more sense if whites were targeted instead of African Americans, according to the author of the new book Race and Justice. Ohio State University Professor of Social Work Rudolph Alexander, Jr., examined 1996 U.S. crime statistics for the eight most serious crimes. He found that whites were more likely to be arrested for rape, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft and arson, while African Americans were more likely to be arrested for murder and robbery. Contact: Rudolph Alexander, Jr., 292-1878.

BUCKEYES TO SYDNEY - Ohio State is well represented on the U.S. Olympic Team with current and former student-athletes and coaches. Among the Olympic athletes: Blaine Wilson ('94-'97), who will compete in men's gymnastics, with Jamie Natalie (Sr.) is an alternate; Carolina Moraes (Jr.) and Isabella Moraes (Jr.), who will swim in the synchronized swimming competition; Nick Rees and Marko Strahija ('95-'98), who compete in men's swimming; David Pilcher ('89-'92), who will dive; Brian Volpenhein, who participates in men's rowing; Laura Johnson ('91-'94), an alternate in women's volleyball; Mark Croghan ('88-'91, who participates in men's track; and Katie Smith ('93-'96), who plays in women's basketball event. Current and former coaches named to coach the team include Vladimir Nazlymov in fencing, Peter Kormann ('89-97) in men's diving, and Doug Beal ('72-'74) in men's volleyball. Wrestling coach Russ Hellickson will participate as a commentator for NBC. Contact: Liz Cook, Athletics Information, 292-6861

The person listed as Contact will have the best information about the story. Call on our media relations staff for help with any Ohio State story--Reggie Anglen, 292-8423; 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)