June 4, 1999

This and every University Communications news release is available at http://www.osu.edu

30,000 CHAIRS SET UP ON THE OVAL--June 8. Spring commencement will be held on the Oval this year while Ohio Stadium is renovated. Preparations for the ceremony begin early in the week as workers set up chairs for graduates and their guests, construct the speaker's platform and install a sound system. Key commencement planners will be available for media interviews on Tuesday (6/8) from 1:30-2:30 p.m. on the Oval. Preparations will be interesting to watch, and this is the only time that all key officials are guaranteed to be available to reporters. Graduates will rehearse the ceremony on Thursday (6/10) at 9:30 a.m., providing another photo opportunity.
CONTACT: Ruth Gerstner, University Communications, 292-8424.

NEH CHAIR SPEAKS AT HUMANITIES BACCALAUREATE--June 10. William Ferris, chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), is the featured speaker at the College of Humanities Baccalaureate, 3:30 p.m. on Thursday (6/10) in the Wexner Center Film/Video Theater, 1871 N. High St. A professor of anthropology and a widely published author, Ferris spearheaded the Encyclopedia of Southern Culture, which is recognized as a major reference work linking popular, folk and academic cultures. In November 1997, Ferris assumed the chairmanship of the NEH, a federal agency that provides grants to individuals and institutions to support learning in the humanities.
CONTACT: Shari Lorbach, College of Humanities, 292-1882.

TRUTH COMMISSIONER IS COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER--June 11. A human rights lawyer and member of South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) will deliver the commencement address at Ohio State's spring ceremony. Approximately 4,700 graduates will receive degrees during the ceremony, which begins at 9:30 a.m. on the Oval. Dumisa Ntsebeza (Du-MEE-suh Ent-see- BAY-suh) is described by the Mail & Guardian of South Africa as "largely unsung as a hero of the struggle" against apartheid. The TRC was established in 1995 to investigate apartheid-era human rights abuses committed by all sides between 1960 and 1994.
CONTACT: Ruth Gerstner, University Communications, 292-8424.

JOB MARKET LOOKS GOOD FOR OHIO STATE GRADS--Many students who are graduating on Friday are entering a favorable job market. Here's what career offices around campus are reporting:
Arts and Sciences--The job market looks especially promising for those with degrees in technology-related fields. Engineering--Many engineers report multiple job offers, thanks to strong demand and student co-op programs.
Education--Science, mathematics and special education teachers are in demand while the market for social studies and elementary education is more competitive.
Business--Technology-related fields like information systems are highest in demand while the market for human resources managers is tight. Companies are hiring more undergraduates in corporate financial management positions which in the past have gone to MBAs.
Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences--Employers want agribusiness and applied economics majors in sales, marketing and financial fields. Demand is also high for food industry majors and turf grass majors.
CONTACTS: Pam Park-Curry, Arts and Sciences, 292-7055; Rosemary Hill, Engineering, 292-6651; Thomas Vecchione, Education, 292- 2741; Margie Bogenschutz, Fisher College of Business, 292-8586; Ray Miller, Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, 292- 1589.

The person listed as the contact for each item will have the best information about the story. Feel free to call on our news services staff for assistance with these or other Ohio State news stories--Amy Murray, 292-8385; Ruth Gerstner, 292-8424; and Emily Caldwell, 292-8309.
**Compiled by Amy Murray, University Communications, (Murray- Goedde.1@osu.edu).