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WELCOME TO OSUToday, the latest news and information for faculty and staff of The Ohio State University for Friday, Sept. 28. OSUToday is published daily Monday-Friday. The deadline for submissions is noon the prior business day.

Headline news

NEW VICE PRESIDENT AND SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO LEAD UNIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT

Incoming President E. Gordon Gee has named Jeff Kaplan vice president for business development and collaborative advancement at the Medical Center and special assistant to the president. He will report jointly to Gee and the senior vice president and executive dean for health sciences, Chip Souba. Kaplan’s first assignment is to serve as the interim vice president for University Development where he will oversee university advancement operations and continue preparations for a university-wide fundraising campaign. He replaces Jim Schroeder, who will assume duties as senior consultant to the president. Kaplan will fulfill this role until a permanent vice president has been selected.

Kaplan earned a J.D. degree from Ohio State’s College of Law and a B.A. from Yale. When he first joined Ohio State, he worked in athletics, admissions, and business administration. Until recently he served for seven years as associate vice chancellor and chief administrative officer at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Prior to that he held various senior posts at Saint Thomas Health Services, Nashville; Baptist Hospital, Nashville; Children’s Hospital and Children’s Hospital Foundation, Columbus; and US Health Corporation and Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus. He also was director of admissions and assistant to the president at the University of Vermont. He comes to Ohio State from OhioHealth.

AIR FORCE COMMANDER TO SPEAK AT MERSHON CENTER

Maj. Gen. R. Mike Worden, commander of the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, will deliver “Strategy, Military Transformation, and the Role of Air Power” at noon Thursday (10/4) at the Mershon Center for International Security Studies. The Air Force Warfare Center is responsible for ensuring combat air, space and information operations forces are trained and equipped to conduct integrated combat operations. Worden has directed operations in Japan, Southern Europe and most recently Iraq. RSVP online

OSU NEWARK CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF EDUCATION FOR CITIZENSHIP

Ohio State Newark is celebrating its 50th anniversary on Monday (10/1). The school will mark the occasion with an anniversary celebration from 7-9 p.m. Saturday (12/1) in the Reese Center Ballroom, and with activities through May 2008. The gathering of the campus and its community will include those who have generously shared their resources, financial and otherwise. Audio/visual booths featuring historical documents and tapes will be available. Alumni, the board of trustees, local officials and the campus and surrounding community are invited to attend the event. To RSVP, call (740) 366-9211 or e-mail rsvp-newark@osu.edu. More about the 50th anniversary and related events can be found at www.newark.osu.edu.

BUTLER IS OCT. 16 ASFW LUNCHEON SPEAKER

Laura Butler, personal performance and life fulfillment specialist, is the guest speaker for the next Association of Staff and Faculty Women luncheon on Tuesday (10/16) at the Fawcett Center. She will discuss what you need to thrive in a work environment, and how you can translate your needs and skills into a successful and satisfying career. Registration and lunch will begin at 11:30 a.m.; the session ends at 1 p.m. Seating is limited; download a registration form. Contact: Julee Klima, 247-6411

BUCK IRB NEWSLETTER AVAILABLE ONLINE

The September 2007 edition of the Buck-IRB Newsletter (Institutional Review Board) is now available online. This issue discusses office hours to assist with IRB preparations, IRB form help sessions, revised amendment form, and announces the launch of the new IRB Web site and addition of a WIRB analyst in the office. Contact: prestage.2@osu.edu

SEPTEMBER SIS UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER AVAILABLE ONLINE

The September edition of the University Community Newsletter is now available online (use the University Community Newsletter link) with the latest information about the Student Information System Project, as well as a look at the new functionality for Student Records. When you visit the SIS Web site, you can opt to have the monthly communication sent directly to your inbox. Look for the sign-up box at the bottom of the SIS home page.

OSU MARION OFFERS LITERATURE CONFERENCE FOR TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS

Ohio State Marion is hosting a conference for area educators from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Friday (10/19) in Morrill Hall focusing on utilizing cultural and ethnically diverse children's literature in the classroom. The morning keynote speaker is Asma Uddin-Mobin, a pediatrician who has written children's books about the Muslim-American experience. The afternoon keynote is Matt Zbaracki, an expert on humor in children's literature. The cost is $30, which includes lunch. Register online by Friday (10/5).

SECREST ARBORETUM HOSTS OCT. 6 AUTUMN DISCOVERY DAY

Visit the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center’s Secrest Arboretum for Autumn Discovery Day, from 9:30 a.m.-noon Saturday (10/6) and see the unveiling of the arboretum’s new Discovery Gardens, talk to gardening experts, and purchase special plants for your yard. Learn about the new Discovery Pavilion, now under construction, and how research connects to the landscape and to agriculture. The free public program takes place at OARDC’s Wooster campus, 1680 Madison Ave. Get details, directions and a complete list of plants for sale at http://secrest.osu.edu/ or call (330) 263-3761.

TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR IRISH FOLK GROUP PERFORMANCE

The Irish vocal group Anuna will perform at 8 p.m. Wednesday (10/3) in Weigel Auditorium. The original choir from Riverdance is presenting its Celtic Origins Concert - as seen on Public Television - during their U.S. tour. A limited number of specially priced tickets are being offered to OSU faculty, staff and students. For a special student price of $10, go to www.ticketmaster.com and search for Anuna or Weigel Hall and enter the password SCHOOL. For a special $25 faculty or staff ticket, enter the password MUSIC. Contact: 292-0789

BLOOD DRIVE SET FOR OCT. 2 AT BLANKENSHIP

A blood drive is scheduled for 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesday (10/2) in 1019 Blankenship Hall. To schedule an appointment, call (800) GIVE-LIFE or visit www.givelife.org (sponsor code: buckeyes). If you donated on or before Tuesday (8/7) you are eligible to donate again. Positive identification is required (Red Cross donor card or photo ID showing date of birth).

ENTRIES SOUGHT FOR INTERNATIONAL PHOTO CONTEST

International Affairs is sponsoring an International Photography Contest open to all current Ohio State students, faculty, staff and visiting scholars. Entries must be original and must have been taken outside the United States. Prizes will be awarded in three categories: People, Places and OSU Spirit. The winning photographs will be displayed in a special exhibit in Bricker Hall during November and December. The deadline to enter is Friday (10/19). Submit entries to Paul Collier at collier.123@osu.edu. Contest rules and an official entry form are available at http://oia.ohio-state.edu/photocontest/