News

Family, not just friends, an important source of support for HIV-positive men – People diagnosed with HIV often turn to friends for support, but Ohio State University research suggests it’s also important to approach family members for support.   Julie Serovich, program director of the Marriage and Family Therapy Clinic and associate professor of human development and family science at Ohio State, has studied HIV-infected men since 1997 under a grant from the National Institutes of Mental Health.  In her most recent study, published in the journal AIDS CARE, she found that HIV-positive men were less likely to be depressed if they got support from their families. In another study, she found that subjects who received social support from their families were less likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors than were men who did not get social support from their families.  Because of the complexities often inherent in gay men’s family relationships, Serovich says therapists often don’t even attempt to encourage their clients to open up to their families. Contact: Julie Serovich, Human Development and Family Science, (614) 292-5685.

Experts

Presidents’ success fleeting when naming Supreme Court Judges – When a president appoints a new justice to the U.S. Supreme Court, he hopes that the justice will support his policies long into the future.  But a new study of Supreme Court justices appointed by presidents from Franklin D. Roosevelt through Bill Clinton shows that presidents are successful only in the short term.  While the votes of justices initially tend to agree with the president who appointed them, within 10 years their votes no longer closely reflect the president’s policy views.  The results were published in a recent issue of the journal Political Research Quarterly.  Contact: Richard Timpone, political science, (614) 292-7830.

Events

International Week 2001 brings the world to Ohio State – through May 5. No passports are needed for this “around the world” adventure. Students, faculty and staff, and community members are invited to experience ancient cultures, see the Chinese Lion Dance and celebrate the Peace Corps 40th anniversary during Ohio State University’s International Week 2001, April 30 through May 5. The week provides students, who may be considering traveling or studying abroad, an opportunity to learn more about another country. It also allows our international students the opportunity to share their cultures, food and entertainment with the entire community.  Events include a Chinese Lion Dance at 12:15 p.m. Tuesday (5/1) on the Oval and the OSU study abroad open house, noon to 3 p.m., Thursday (5/3) at Oxley Hall, 1712 Neil Ave.  Contact: Lesley Deaderick, University Relations, (614) 292-0569.

NAACP President will speak at Ohio State – May 1.  Kweisi Mfume, president and chief executive officer of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), is the keynote speaker for the 7th Annual Big 10 & Statewide Conference, Tuesday, (5/1) at the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St.  This year’s theme is Racial Legacies and Learning…Rationalization or Legitimacy: An Inclusionary Code of Conduct for the 21st Century.  Mfume will speak from 1:15 to 2:10 p.m. in the east ballroom of the union.  A question and answer session will follow.  The purpose of the conference is to examine diversity through the overriding theme of “Racial Legacies and Learning” and to brainstorm methods of improving racial and cultural equity in all levels of society. The conference is co-hosted by Ohio State’s Office of Minority Affairs and the Division of Student Affairs.  Contact: Lesley Deaderick, University Relations, (614) 292-0569.

Lecture gives academic view of showgirls – May 1.  The College of Humanities presents its eighth Inaugural Lecture of the year on Tuesday (5/1) at the Faculty Club, 181 S. Oval Drive.  Professor Linda Mizejewski, Department of English, will present “Show Girls and Bodies of Evidence,” looking at the cultural importance of the showgirl.  Contact: Shari Lorbach, Humanities, (614) 292-1882.

Diversity Lecture Series finale – May 2. Ohio State’s Diversity Lecture Series offers the final lecture of the year at 9 a.m. on Wednesday (5/2) in Room 4 of the Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road.  Carolyn M. Mayo, director of North Carolina Health Career Access Programs at the University of North Carolina, will present Recruiting and Retaining Minorities in the Health Professions – a Program that Works. Contact: Trina Phillips or Frank Hale, (614) 688-4240.

African-American and African Studies celebrates 30 years – May 3-5.  The Department of African American and African Studies will sponsor a national symposium May 3 through 5 to celebrate 30 years of black studies. The theme is “Transforming our Discipline, Transforming Ourselves.”  A number of noted panelists and speakers will attend to discuss topics ranging from the doctoral degree in black studies to globalization and the future of Africana studies. The conference will be held at the Holiday Inn on the Lane. Also, as part of the 30-year celebration, the department in partnership with the Wexner Center for the Arts is hosting an African-American and African Film Festival. Contact: African-American and Africa Studies, (614) 292-3700.

Computer Artists and Animators offer open house – May 4.  The Advanced Computing Center for the Arts and Design (ACCAD) is hosting its annual spring open house from 4 to 7 p.m. May 4 at 1224 Kinnear Road. The event will feature a video review of computer animations, demonstrations of research and educational projects developed at ACCAD, and discussions with students, faculty and staff.  Contact: Elaine Smith, AACAD, (614) 292-1053 or visit www.accad.ohio-state.edu

Governor Taft leads Peace Corps Parade of Nations – May 4.  Celebrating the 40^th anniversary of the Peace Corps, former Peace Corps Volunteers in Ohio will carry host-country flags across the Oval in the Parade of Nations.  The parade will be led by Ohio Gov. Bob Taft, a former volunteer in Tanzania (1963-65).  The parade leaves the Wexner Center, 1871 N. High St. at 11:30 a.m. and ends at the Frank W. Hale Black Cultural Center, 153 W. 12^th Ave.  From noon to 1 p.m., acting Peace Corps Director Charles Baquet III will join Taft in at the Hale Center to talk about their experiences and the importance of the Peace Corps in “Peace Corps’ 40^th Anniversary: Accomplishments and New Initiatives.”  More than 1,200 Ohio State alumni have served in the Peace Corps. Contact: Amy Murray, University Relations, (614) 292-8385.

Board of Trustees meets – May 4. The Ohio State University Board of Trustees and its committees will meet on Friday (5/4) at the Longaberger Alumni House, 2200 Olentangy River Road.  Committee meetings, where most of the discussions take place, begin at 9 a.m.  The full board meets at 10:45 p.m. in the Sanders Grand Lounge, room 130. Among the agenda items: reports on First Year Research Seminars, the third quarter budget and compensation guidelines, and introduction of new student government leaders. Contact: Elizabeth Conlisk, University Relations, (614) 292-3040.

Dedication ceremony will open “Spirit of Women Park” – May 4.  The dedication of The Chlois G. Ingram Spirit of Women Park will take place at 3 p.m. on Friday (5/4) at the OSU Medical Center, with the unveiling of some 2,000 ceramic tiles that have been painted by their donors in honor of special women who have made a difference in their lives.  Contributors of the tiles and many of the women they honor will be present during the dedication of the park.  The park is located between the University Hospitals Clinic and Dodd Hall, 456 W. 10^th Ave.  It will be named in honor of Chlois G. Ingram, who had a long-standing relationship with University Hospitals as a “gray lady” volunteer during the late 1950’s and early 1960’s.  Contact: Betsy Samuels, Medical Center Communications, (614) 293-3737.

OSU attempts world record for largest musical chair game – May 5.  Organizers are hoping for 9,000 participants to join the “Musical ‘Chair’ity” – the largest game of musical chairs in the world – at 1 p.m. Saturday (5/5) on the Oval.  In addition to breaking the record, the game will raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which provides ill children with one special wish.  Registration $5 per chair and begins at 11 a.m. The event is sponsored by the Student-Alumni Council at Ohio State, a student service organization.  Contact: Nidhi Gupta (614) 299-0490 or Novie Sroa (614) 688-1474.

All the Faire’s a Stage at the annual Ren Fest – May 5.  Ohio State takes a step back to renaissance days on Saturday (5/5) for the 26^th Annual Medieval and Renaissance Festival.  The 2001 Faire takes place on from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the South Oval.  Watch knights defend their honor in deadly combat, while women perform traditional dance and song. Visit merchants and vendors, and feast on the food of kings in celebration of the victor of the human chess game.  It’s fun for the whole family.  Contact: Jany Chan, Chairperson, Council for Medieval and Renaissance Faire chan.206@osu.edu

Discover rare plants in Wooster – May 5.  Rare and unusual plants will be featured on Saturday (5/5) as the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center in Wooster hosts the ninth annual Plant Discovery Day. The event, featuring plant sales, auctions and children’s activities, will run from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in and near Fisher Auditorium. The event provides plants to the public that cannot be easily found in retail stores like herbaceous annuals and perennials, woody plants and dwarf, unusual and specimen conifers.  Contact: Candace Pollock, OARDC, (330) 202-3550 or pollock.58@osu.edu.

Students win prize for healthy carrot candy – The Food Science and Technology product development team of graduate students Oya Sipahioglu and Cavit Bircan and their coach, associate professor Sheryl Barringer, created Carrot Undercover, a candy designed for health-conscious consumers, which won the Product Marketability Award in a product development contest sponsored by Dairy Marketing Inc.  All-natural ingredients such as shredded carrots, whey protein, almonds and Echinacea (an herb with purported immune-enhancing ability), project a healthy image while providing both protein and vitamin A. The team will exhibit the new candy at the 2001 Institute of Food Technologists Food Expo in June. Contact: Sheryl Barringer, Food Science and Technology, (614) 688-3642.

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.