OHIO STATE HOSTS TOWN MEETING ON RACE RELATIONS IN COLUMBUS

   COLUMBUS -- Preparing students for a diverse society will be the focus of an Ohio State University town meeting, "Improving Race Relations for the 21st Century: The Roles of Community, Business and Higher Education," Monday (5/17) from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road.

   "The inspiration for this dialogue is the recent series of articles published in the Columbus Dispatch entitled the 'Color Chasm,' in which various aspects of race were discussed and profiled," said Janice Hoffman, director of Ethnic Student Services. "We believe one of the primary focuses of the articles is our ability to become a part of the reconciliation that needs to take place in our city, and we hope this town meeting will provide a positive forum for continued discussion and meaningful conversations about race."

   The discussion will be moderated by Clarence N. Wood, president of the Human Relations Foundation of Chicago and the author of "A Response to the Race Relations Attitudes/Differences Survey Report: A Vision for Columbus, OH -- An Open, Interactively Integrated and Civil City."

   Panelists include Ohio State President William E. Kirwan; Edward J. Ray, executive vice president and provost; David Williams II, vice president for student and urban/community affairs; Columbus Mayor Greg Lashutka; Val Moeller, president of Columbus State Community College; Mike Curtin, president, associate publisher and editor of the Columbus Dispatch; Stan Sanders, news director for WCMH Channel 4; Ed Clay, station manager for WOSU Channel 34; and Brian Gallagher, president, and JoAnna Cooke, vice president of marketing, both from the United Way of Franklin County.

   Immediately following the town meeting, participants will have the opportunity to continue discussion with panelists about the community's, Ohio State's and other universities' roles in building ongoing positive race relations in Columbus.

   The town meeting is part of Ohio State's continuing involvement in the national Racial Legacies and Learning Initiative. Sponsors of the meeting are the Racial Legacies and Learning Initiative, The Race Relations Vision Council of The United Way, Coca-Cola and Ohio State.

   A reception with refreshments will follow the meeting, which is free and open to the public. WOSU will tape the event and air it at a later date.

Contact: Janice Hoffman, Ethnic Student Services, (614) 688-4988