News

Professor teaches classes on school shootings.  A psychology course at Ohio State this quarter offers students an opportunity to explore some of the issues concerning adolescent violence and alienation raised by the shootings at Columbine High School and other schools.  The course, called Columbine and Beyond: Exploring the Dark Side of Adolescence, is taught by Raymond Montemayor, associate professor of psychology.  The students do case studies of 14 school shootings in at attempt to understand the events and develop a profile of school shooters, Montemayor said.  The two-year anniversary of the Columbine shootings is April 20.  Contact: Raymond Montemayor, Psychology, (614) 292-3059.

Experts

Law professor says death penalty case not a simple matter – Barring a last minute stay, 48-year-old Jay D. Scott will die by injection at 9 p.m. Tuesday (4/17) at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility near Lucasville. Scott would be the second Ohioan – the first not a volunteer, to be executed since Ohio reinstated the death penalty.  Douglas Berman, an assistant professor of Law, has studied a number of death penalty cases and says there are a number of issues involved in the Scott case.  Berman was involved in organizing  “Addressing Capital Punishment Through Statutory Reform,” a recent symposium at the Law School.  Contact: Douglas Berman, Law, (614) 688-8690.

What next with China?  The 24-member crew of the U.S. surveillance plane has come home, but China is conducting an internal campaign to remember the pilot killed in the collision with a U.S. spy plane as a revolutionary martyr.  Two faculty members can comment on our current situation with China.  Peter Gries, a postdoctoral researcher at the Mershon Center, is an expert on China foreign policy and is currently writing a book on Chinese nationalism.   John Quigley, a professor of law who specializes in international law, can discuss how international laws affect the situation. Contact: Peter Gries, Mershon Center, (614) 292-9625; or John Quigley, Law, (614) 292-1764.

Events

It’s Engineer’s Week! – April 16-21.  Engineering students at Ohio State will be celebrating their annual “Engineers Week” with activities designed for fun and learning. Beginning Monday (4/16) and continuing throughout the week, students will be competing in events including an egg drop from a five story parking facility; a hay bail toss; construction of a straw tower; and an engineer auction. The week also includes information sessions as well as a barbeque, dance and awards ceremony.  Contact: Gina Langen, Engineering Communications, (614) 688-4423.

Judge lectures on dispute resolution – April 19.  Dorothy Wright Nelson, Senior Circuit Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, will present the annual Schwartz Lecture on Dispute Resolution at 3 p.m. on Thursday (4/19) in Drinko Hall auditorium. Judge Nelson has written widely in the area of alternative dispute resolution, and last year received an award from the American Bar Association for Outstanding Contribution to Dispute Resolution. Contact: Liz Gates, College of Law, (614) 292-0283.

Conference examines Ohio State outreach efforts – April 20.  “Helping to Build Ohio’s Future: The Ohio State University’s Outreach/Engagement Commitment” is a conference for Ohio State staff, faculty, students and community partners to explore implementation of the university’s outreach efforts.  The conference will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday (4/20) at the Adam’s Mark Hotel, 50 N. Third St.  Featured speakers include President Kirwan, Provost Ray and others.  Morning sessions include “The Ohio State University's Commitment,” and “Community Partnership with Ohio State -- Why and What are the Benefits?”  Following afternoon working discussions focused on P-12 education, economic development, and health and safety, the conference will conclude with a session on “Next Steps.” Contact: Karen Bruns, (614) 292-9613 or visit http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/engage/conference.html

Reporter offers view of diversity – April 20.  Steven Holmes, a reporter with The New York Times Sunday Magazine, will talk about his experiences and contributions to the recent Times series “How Race is Lived in America.”  A writer in the Times’ Washington Bureau, Holmes covers Congress as well as race and demographic issues. Holmes will deliver his talk at 2 p.m. on Friday (4/20) in 131 Hitchcock Hall, 2070 Neil Ave.  Contact: Jessica Sherrick, Office of Residence Life, (614) 688-6240.

Young scientists compete in Olympiad – April 21.  More than 1,400 Ohio middle and high school students will compete in the Ohio Science Olympiad state tournament on Saturday (4/21) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St.  The students have all won at local and regional tournaments.  At the state tournament, they’ll be quizzed on knowledge of science processes, concepts and skills.  They’ll also compete in 23 events, including the Boomilever, Bottle Rocket, Mission Possible, Scrambler and Wright Stuff, to design and build a propeller-propelled aerodynamic device for greatest time aloft.  Ohio winners advance to the Science Olympiad National Tournament at Colorado Springs, Colorado on May 19.  Contact: Sarah Sieling, Conferences and Institutes, (614) 292-8571.

Brainstorming session aimed at saving Ohio’s Black farmers – April 21.  According to the 1997 Ohio Census of Agriculture, there are only 135 black owners of farms in Ohio. African-American farmers nationwide are declining at a rate much faster than that of other farming groups.  A conference on Saturday (4/21) offers farmers to share strategies, knowledge and success stories to reverse the trend.  “Sustaining Communities: Ohio’s Black Farmers at the Crossroads at the Crossroads,” is the first conference for African-American farmers in Ohio.  It will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Stafford Ecological Center, 3083 Liberty Road in Delaware.  Contact: Gail Myers, Department of Anthropology, (614) 885-4232.

Hispanic heritage heralded – through April. Tango dancing, Latino cuisine and Hispanic-related discussions and events are among the highlights of Ohio State’s 23rd Annual Hispanic Awareness Month in April. “Stepping into the Millennium with the Traditions of the Past” is the theme for this year’s celebration. According to the 2000 census, the national Hispanic population has increased nearly 60 percent during the past decade. The month-long calendar of events includes opportunities to learn about history, minority health and wellness, women’s leadership issues, and to spend an evening with ABC News anchor John Quiñones. A complete calendar of events is at http://www.osu.edu/ethnicstudents/HSS/. Contact: Shannon Wingard, University Relations, (614) 247-6821.

Diversity Lecture continues theme of Hispanic Awareness Month – As part of Hispanic Awareness Month, Ohio State’s Diversity Lecture Series will offer talks on the role of Hispanics in Education.  Remaining talks include:

April 18 – Nancy “Rusty” Barceló, associate vice president for academic affairs and chair of the Chicano Studies Department at the University of Minnesota, will discuss The Role of Hispanic Women in Higher Education: Making it to the Top, 9 to 11 a.m., Hale Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 12th Ave.

April 26 – Manuel Pacheco, president of the University of Missouri system, will deliver Setting the Framework for Hispanics in Higher Education for the New Millennium, 9 to 11 a.m., Room 4, Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road. Contact: Trina Phillips or Frank Hale, (614) 688-4240.

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 – Elizabeth Conlisk, (614) 292-3040; Amy Murray, (614) 292-8385; Lesley Deaderick, (614) 292-0569; Karissa Shively, (614) 292-8295, and Shannon Wingard, (614) 247-6821.

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