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Vol. 38, No. 18 |
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2-5-2008 Top 3 on 2, 2/7/08
It chose me. At the age of 11 or 12, I began hanging around OSU, going to athletic events every Saturday and enjoying the atmosphere around campus and watching teams practice. I got to know Woody Hayes, Fred Taylor, Dick Larkins, Novice Fawcett and a lot of other OSU legends. Even though I went to Ashland College and the University of Toledo to play football, I returned to finish my BA in international studies at OSU. Then I earned a master’s and PhD in sport history. I couldn’t think of a better place to spend my life so I just stayed. After graduation I’ve worked in admissions, student loans, the Graduate School; I’ve helped recruit student athletes and announced gymnastics, swimming and volleyball events — anything that came my way.
What do you like about your job? Helping students experience and enjoy OSU and what it has to offer. I have experienced so much of what they are going through that I feel I can help them get through the rough spots.
What would you improve at Ohio State? Sometimes bigger isn’t always better. I would like to figure out some way to streamline the communication and interaction between departments and students.
What is your favorite activity outside of work? I like to work on my own research projects and read, write and collect items from the Olympic Games. I have experienced first-hand the role sport plays in international relations. I can’t imagine a time when I’m not trying to learn something new. When you stop learning you stop living.
What advice would you give a new employee? Learn about OSU, its history and what it has to offer and enjoy yourself — and try not to let the bad days and negative people get you down.
If you weren’t working at Ohio State, what would you rather be doing? I’d like to teach at a small college (or even at OSU if that’s possible), do my own research and writing in sport and Olympic history and travel.
What are you going to do when you retire? If I ever do get the chance to retire, I’d spend more time doing research, writing, traveling and collecting — and maybe go to a few more Olympic Games. If I win the lottery, I’d possibly live in Greece. I’ve been there 16 times and love the place.
If you were the university president for a day, what would you do? Since it is difficult to get much done in one day I’d probably pick a nice sunny spring day, put Dr. Alutto in charge, and go to an Indians game.
To nominate a staff member for the next issue, e-mail us at oncampus@osu.edu. Topnews Chocolate lovers take heart With Valentine’s Day approaching, most people’s thoughts inevitably turn to chocolate, and Ohio State Extension has compiled a series of studies that seem to encourage chocolate lovers to enjoy their favorite treat on one of the biggest chocolate-eating days of the year — as long as it’s done in moderation.
Researchers are in the midst of discovering exactly how these compounds work in the body. For example, a small 2004 study at the University of California at San Francisco found that a specific type of flavonoid appeared to help blood vessels dilate, increasing blood flow and reducing the risk of heart disease. A 2006 study at Oregon State University indicated that flavonoids can help increase antioxidant capacity in the blood, an effect that appears to play some role in fighting cancer and heart disease. Still another study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2007, found that eating just a quarter-ounce of dark chocolate a day may help lower blood pressure in people with mild hypertension. That’s significant, because this amount of chocolate contains just 30 to 40 calories, compared with nearly 200 calories in portion sizes previously studied. The OSU Extension report concludes that while there’s still a lot to learn about chocolate’s health effects, enjoying a small amount in moderation certainly won’t hurt — and it just might help overall health.
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