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WELCOME TO OSUToday, the latest news and information for faculty and staff of The Ohio State University for Thursday, May 1. The deadline for submissions is noon the prior business day.

Headline news

ANNUAL MEEK LECTURES TODAY, MAY 2

The Department of Chemistry is presenting its annual Devon Walter Meek Lectures starting at 4:30 p.m. today (5/1) in 1015 McPherson Laboratory. Jeffery Bricker, director of research at UOP LLC, a division of Honeywell International Inc., will deliver a public lecture, "Meeting Energy Demand in an Oil-Expensive, Warming World." A reception and undergraduate chemistry student poster session will follow in the first floor foyer. Bricker will present a second, technical lecture, "New Inorganic Catalysts for Major Petrochemicals: Mechanism and Performance" at 11 a.m. Friday (5/2) in 1015 McPherson. Contact: oneal.66@osu.edu or 247-6348. Read more >

DISTINGUISHED LECTURE: MATHEMATICAL LOGIC SPAWNED COMPUTING - AND COULD REVOLUTIONIZE IT

Logic is the foundation of computing - and the computer may be integral to teaching logic. In his University Distinguished Lecture Wednesday (4/23), Harvey M. Friedman spoke of the connections between mathematical logic and the software industry, and spelled out a plan for computer programmers to learn logic in a new way. Through the Syrus Project, housed in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, the Distinguished University Professor of mathematics, philosophy, and computer science and his colleagues are developing software that will greatly help teach logical reasoning to computer science undergraduates at Ohio State. Read more >

TODAY: EMOFF TO DISCUSS ACCORDIONS, DRUMMING AND THE SUBSURREAL

Ron Emoff, OSU associate professor of music will close the 2007-08 Faculty Lecture Series today (5/1) at OSU Newark when he presents “Resurrecting Place in the Non-Nation: Accordions, Drumming and the Subsurreal on Marie-Galante, French Antilles,” from 7-9 p.m. in the John Gilbert Reese Center ballroom. A reception will follow the lecture. Emoff will provide musical and visual samples. The event is free and open to the public, although RSVPs are requested by calling (740) 364-9517 or e-mailing rsvp-newark@osu.edu. For more information, call (740) 364-9635 or visit www.newark.osu.edu.

HISTORY OF BLACK COLUMBUS CONFERENCE MAY 3

The Department of African American and African Studies Community Extension Center will host the Fifth Annual History of Black Columbus Conference from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday (5/3) at the Community Extension Center, 905 Mount Vernon Ave. The conference theme is the Health of the Black Family: Mind, Body and Spirit, and the event will feature panel discussions and presentations by OSU faculty, community members and local public health officials. Pre-registration for the conference is $10, $5 for students and senior citizens (age 60 and older) and includes a continental breakfast and lunch. On-site registration is $15, $10 for students and seniors. For details visit http://aaascec.osu.edu or call 292-3922.

MERSHON CENTER OFFERS STUDY ABROAD SCHOLARSHIP

The Mershon Center for International Security Studies has established the Ralph D. Mershon Study Abroad Scholarship to support undergraduates who wish to enhance their educational experience by studying in a foreign country. Students are encouraged to take foreign language courses, especially those deemed critical for national security, such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Hindi, Farsi, and others. Priority will be given to students who are preparing for a career related to international security studies. Scholarships of up to $2,000 each will be awarded. Apply before Sunday (6/1). Read more >

TODAY ONLY: PRESALE OFFER FOR FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS

Flight of the Conchords will perform at Value City Arena on Friday (5/16). New Zealanders Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement have crafted a unique, two-man comedy blend which is now self-proclaimed as the popular “guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo.” OSU faculty and staff have access to the presale today (5/1) only from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Use this link and enter the password: fouxdufafa in the box marked “OSUToday.”

MAY WEEK EVENTS KICK OFF FRIDAY

May Week events will kick off Friday (5/2) and will run through Saturday (5/10). Events include Picnic on the Oval with President E. Gordon Gee, kayaking in Mirror Lake and a slam-dunk contest. For students, there's a Passport Contest, where they can enter into a raffle to win two round trip American Airline tickets. View a list of events. Contact: moeller.64@osu.edu

COMMUNITY SERVICE IS FOCUS OF ROCK THE BLOCK MAY 3

Ohio State students, faculty and staff will roll up their sleeves for Rock the Block from noon-3 p.m. Saturday (5/3). The single-day community outreach event focuses this year on revitalizing the university district. President Gee will help start the day off during registration, which takes place from 11-11:45 a.m. at 15th Avenue and High Street. Following the service work, volunteers will return to 15th and High for a barbeque. Contact: Lynanne Wolf-Sabatino, 204-6106

WILD STAGES: KABARETT MFA TODAY THROUGH MAY 17

Ten MFA actors in Theatre, under the guidance of professor John Giffin, recreate the Wild Stages of 1890-1933, when dissatisfaction with prevailing forms of artistic expression led to new forms of entertainment on stage, including popular songs, puppet and shadowbox shows, poems, dances, one-act plays and dramatic sketches. Shows will be presented today (5/1)-Sunday (5/17) in Roy Bowen Theatre, Drake Performance Center. For tickets and details, call the box office at 292-2295.

MARION CAMPUS PRAIRIE PLANT SALE SET FOR MAY 3

The Larry R. Yoder Prairie Nature Center will hold its fifth annual Prairie Plant Sale at the south parking lot from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday (5/3) on the OSU Marion campus, 1465 Mount Vernon Ave. The sale includes unique plants native to the prairie, such as big bluestem, Indian grass, switch grass, black-eyed susan, gray-headed coneflower, New England aster, and more. Donations to support the Prairie Nature Center will be accepted for purchase of all prairie plants. Contact: Emily Meyer at (740) 725-6269. Read more >

SOUTH OVAL TRANSFORMED FOR MEDIEVAL AND RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL MAY 3

King Arthur takes over the South Oval on Saturday (5/3) as the Council for the Medieval and Renaissance Festival presents "The Road to Camelot" from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. The annual Medieval & Renaissance Faire, which is free and open to the public, includes performers, song, dance, swordplay and vendors. Contact: torpie.1@osu.edu
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MOTHER’S DAY 5K CHARITY RUN TO BENEFIT LITERACY

The Mother’s Day 5k run/walk for charity is being hosted by the Second and Seven Foundation and the Student Athlete Advisory Board at 10 a.m. Sunday (5/11) to benefit improved literacy in Columbus elementary schools. The race will start following a speech by former Buckeye football player and current New England Patriot Mike Vrabel. Registration is $20 before Saturday (5/4) and $25 after. Contact: sheehan.35@osu.edu or billingsley.23@osu.edu
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