June 4, 2001

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Ohio State's news, experts and events give you more on the news

News
News Researcher finds Plains Indians were tallest in the world – At about 5 feet 8 inches tall, Equestrian Indian tribes on the American Plains in the late 1800s were the tallest people in the world, suggesting they were surprisingly well-nourished given the possibility for diseases at the time. A new study by Richard Steckel, a professor of economics and anthropology at Ohio State looked at the height of the tribe members as a measure of their health and lifestyle. Steckel’s findings contradict the modern image of American Indians as sickly victims succumbing to European disease. Steckel says the height data shows the ingenuity and adaptability of the equestrian Plains tribes in the face of remarkable stress from disease and hardships. http://www.osu.edu/researchnews/archive/tallind.htm Contact: Richard Steckel, Economics, (614) 292-5008.

Experts
Farmers, Horse Owners Should Watch for West Nile – The West Nile virus has not been found in Ohio, and farmers and other horse owners can help keep it that way. Bill Saville, an Ohio State University Extension veterinarian in Veterinary Preventive Medicine, says controlling mosquito populations is the best way to help prevent the disease’s movement. The virus is spread by mosquitoes and can infect many species of mammals and birds, but people, horses, crows and blue jays are particularly susceptible. In 2000, infected mosquitoes were found in Erie County, Pa., which borders northeast Ohio. The Northern House Mosquito is the disease's principal transmitter. Mosquitoes typically get the virus by feeding on infected birds. They then spread it to humans, horses and other animals through biting. Saville says people in Ohio's Lake Erie counties should watch for dead crows, blue jays and other birds - a sign of possible West Nile infection. Contact: Bill Saville, Veterinary Preventive Medicine, (614) 292-9453 or saville.4@osu.edu.

Events
Model of new Ohio Stadium windows unveiled – June 4. Three one-ton stained glass windows will fill openings in the rotunda of Ohio Stadium, thanks to a $2 million gift from Motorists Insurance Group. The windows 12-feet wide and 18-and-a-half-feet tall, will depict a Block "O" and Ohio State football traditions. Special lighting behind the windows will accent the artwork. They will be installed as part of the Ohio Stadium renovation project in late summer. The Motorists Insurance Group gift will be officially announced at a news conference at 4 p.m. on Tuesday (6/5) at the entrance rotunda to Ohio Stadium. A scale model of the stadium windows will be on display.Contact Tom Hof, Office of Development, (614) 688-3345

Rainforest Alliance co-founder speaks at Humanities Baccalaureate – June 7. Daniel Katz, co-founder of the Rainforest Alliance and an Ohio State alumnus, will deliver the keynote speech at the College of Humanities Baccalaureate on Thursday (6/7). The annual celebration of achievements of students, faculty and alumni begins at 3:30 p.m. in the Wexner Center Film Video Theatre, 1871 N. High St. Founded in 1986, the Rainforest Alliance has become a pioneer in alternatives to deforestation with the SmartWood and Conservation Agricultural Network certification programs. Contact: Shari Lorbach, College of Humanities, (614) 292-1882

Comedian Bill Cosby is speaker at Ohio State’s spring commencement – June 8. Actor and comedian Bill Cosby will deliver the commencement address during Ohio State’ spring graduation ceremony on June 8. Approximately 5,000 graduates will receive degrees during the event on the Oval. Commencement begins at 9:30 a.m. Spring commencement – the university’s only outdoor ceremony – has been held on the Oval for the last two years while Ohio Stadium is renovated. Workers prepare the Oval for the ceremony setting up more than 30,000 folding chairs, constructing a speakers platform and installing a sound system. Graduates rehearse on Thursday morning. Contact Amy Murray, University Relations, (614) 292-8385.

Cancer Survivors celebrate – June 10. Cancer survivors will gather with their families, doctors and nurses for the 10th annual Cancer Survivors Day, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday (6/10) on the roof of the Ninth Avenue Parking Garage. The Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute has celebrated Cancer Survivors Day for 10 years with the reunion. This year has special significance because it marks the 30th anniversary of the War on Cancer, declared by President Nixon in 1971. The James will have several identified former cancer patients available for interview, including some who were first treated many years ago. Contact Michelle Galiun, Medical Center Communications, (614) 293-3737.

Ohio State employees set new giving record – Six tons of food and nearly $20,000 in monetary contributions is the new giving record to Operation Feed 2001 by Ohio State University staff, faculty and students. On Operation Feed’s 20th anniversary, food drive benefited with donations of 11,400 lbs. (almost 6 tons) of food and $19,467.03 to the Mid-Ohio FoodBank. The donations will provide more than 50,000 meals to men, women and children in the area. Monetary contributions increased 8.5% over last year and food contributions increased by almost 600 pounds or five percent. Contact Ned Cullom, leader of OSU’s Operation Feed 2001 drive, (614) 292-4341.

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; Melinda Sadar, (614) 292-8298; and Shannon Wingard, (614) 247-6821.

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