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WELCOME TO OSUToday, the latest news and information for faculty and staff of The Ohio State University for Wednesday, May 28. The deadline for submissions is noon the prior business day.

Headline news

OHIO STATE ESTABLISHES CENTER FOR WOMEN'S HEALTH

Ohio State hopes to position itself as a leader in women’s health issues with the opening of the OSU Center for Women’s Health this year. The goal is to create a multidisciplinary women’s health clinic, a research program that will support pilot funding for university researchers and an educational program that will provide more comprehensive offerings for students while enabling OSU to host an international symposium. Rebecca Jackson, a nationally recognized women’s health researcher in the field of menopause-related issues with a focus on osteoporosis, will lead the center. Joining her will be a trio of program directors - Michael Blumenfeld (Women’s Health Clinical Services), Catherine Lucey (Women’s Health Educational Programs) and Electra Paskett (Women’s Health Research Initiatives) - as well as the center’s administrator, Kristine Hertz. A location for the center has not yet been chosen, but it is expected to be close to the Medical Center.

TODAY: ENGINEERING STUDENTS IN ROLLER COASTER DESIGN COMPETITION

Ohio State first-year engineering students who built their own model-scale roller coasters will blend innovation with their knowledge of the laws of physics and safety requirements during a competition from 2:45-4 p.m. today (5/28) in E100 Scott Lab. The public is invited to attend. Of the 124 teams who built roller coasters, the 14 best teams will present their final model for the public and judges. The competition highlights the college’s First-Year Engineering program, which combines lectures, projects and labs for students to learn team-building, project management and communication skills. Read more >

COMMENCEMENT EVE CEREMONY TO HONOR GRADUATES AND FAMILIES

The inaugural Commencement Eve Candlelight Ceremony, set for 9 p.m. Saturday (6/7) on the Oval, will honor spring graduates and their families with remarks from President E. Gordon Gee, Archie Griffin, and senior Michael Repasky, who was selected through a competitive audition process to represent the graduating class. Graduates attending the ceremony will also receive their class pin and participate in a candlelight rendition of Carmen Ohio. Graduating students and their families and guests are invited to attend, and no RSVP is necessary. Contact: couch.28@osu.edu or 292-8763. Read more >

UNIVERSITY STAFF CULTURE SURVEY BEGINS MAY 29

Ohio State will be conducting a survey to obtain the opinions of university staff regarding leadership, work environment, job satisfaction, and more. The 2008 Culture Survey is sponsored by the Office of the President and will take place online. All university staff and a random sample of medical center staff will receive an e-mail invitation to participate on Thursday (5/29). The survey will close on Thursday (6/19). Staff who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing for $50 Barnes and Noble gift cards. For more information, go to hr.osu.edu/culturesurvey.

VIEW ONCAMPUS’ TOP 3 ON 2 FEATURE ONLINE

Each issue, onCampus profiles a university employee, a top news item and a photo in its Top 3 on 2 feature. The current issue features a spotlight on Jim Ray, an architect in Facility Design and Construction. The photo illustrates construction workers celebrating as they place an evergreen tree on top of the Ohio Union to signify the last piece of steel placed at the highest point of the facility, which is scheduled to open in 2010. Read more >

SPRING CHORAL CONCERT MAY 29 IN OSU LIMA’S REED HALL

The University Chorus will perform its annual Spring Choral Concert at 8 p.m. Thursday (5/29) in the Martha W. Farmer Theatre for the Performing Arts in Reed Hall at Ohio State Lima. The concert is free and open to the public. Richard L. Mallonee, director of Choral Programs, directs the choir. Music lecturer Michael Benson will accompany the chorus. For details, call the box office at (419) 995-8382.

EPILOG FEATURES GRADUATING MFA WRITERS MAY 30

The OSU Writers’ Guild and the Creative Writing Program are hosting “Epilog: An Evening of Poetry, Fiction and Creative Nonfiction” at 7 p.m. Friday (5/30) in Roy Bowen Theater in the Drake Union. The event honors graduating MFA creative writers and will feature readings by the graduates from portions of their work. The event is free. Contact: bierschenk.1@osu.edu

STEP PARENTS, FOSTER PARENTS AND BLENDED FAMILIES

Human Resources and The Women’s Place are sponsoring a Working Mothers Support Network discussion on Wednesday (6/4) facilitated by Willa Young, Student Affairs Learner Initiatives. The forum will be held from noon-1 p.m. in 400 Stillman Hall Conference Room. The open discussion will focus on the joys and challenges of being a step family, adoption family, foster family, blended family, and GLBT family. Contact: 292-2800. Read more >

ANNUAL OHIO ACADEMIC ADVISING ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE

The Annual OHAAA Conference is scheduled for Friday (6/20) at the Fawcett Center. The theme is Adventure in Advising. Keynote speaker Julian Parrott, University of Illinois, will present “Grounding the Helicopters: Rolling with the Challenges Presented by Today’s Parents." Register online