OHIO STATE IN THE MEDIA

Each month staff in the Office of University Relations report on Ohio State research and connect reporters with experts across the University. They then monitor articles that mention Ohio State in the 50 largest U.S. and select world media markets. The dozens of articles each month are just one indication of the high profile the University enjoys in the national media.

The Feb. 11 Wall Street Journal quoted Robert Dixon, chief research engineer for University Technology Services, about how universities and corporations are using Internet2, a new Internet with ultra-fast connections, and how this will affect users of the commercial Internet.

The Associated Press quoted George Billman, professor of physiology, in a Feb. 14. article about how much scientists know about the link between aerobic exercise and heartbeat.

Jerald Greenberg, professor of management and human resources, was quoted by the Associated Press, Feb. 21, about how the Enron scandal has focused public attention on business ethics, but how such attention usually fades with time. Greenberg was quoted by the Associated Press on March 20 in an article about his research that found theft by employees is affected by how they are treated by supervisors. Greenberg received international attention in September for his research that found nearly any worker may be willing to steal from an employer under some circumstances -- unless the company makes clear that theft is unethical. Coverage included: the Calgary Herald, Chicago Tribune, Houston Chronicle, Reuters News Service and United Press International, Sept. 4, and CNNfn’s “The Money Gang” on Sept. 9.

Research by Tanya Chartrand, assistant professor of psychology, that found negative “mystery moods” can occur when people fail at nonconscious goals -- goals they didn’t even know they had, was the subject of articles in Shape, March 2002; First for Women, May 27; and the Los Angeles Times, July 14.

Randolph Roth, associate professor of history, was featured in reports and stories about the controversy surrounding a book by an Emory University professor concerning gun ownership in early America. Many historians believe the author seriously misused historical data in the book. Coverage included: the Wall Street Journal, Feb. 22; NPR’s “Morning Edition,” March 4; The Economist, March 9; and the Washington Times, May 22 and Aug. 23.

Research by William Marras, professor of industrial, welding and systems engineering, was the subject of a March 2002 Consumer Reports on Health article. Marras’ research suggests recurring back injuries could be due to individuals compensating for their injury by using the wrong muscles when lifting. The June 2002 Shape included an article about research by Marras and Catherine Heaney, professor of public health. Their research suggests high levels of workplace stress may make it more likely that employees will injure their backs while lifting heavy objects.

Ian Sheldon, professor of agricultural, environmental and development economics, was quoted by Reuters News Service, March 1, about new regulations in China meant to block the import of at least some types of genetically modified soybeans. The new regulations could hurt American soybean exports.

Paul Poast, lecturer in economics, had several letters to the editor published in the Financial Times recently. Poast wrote: a letter concerning the possible international effects of President Bush naming several countries as part of an “axis of evil” in the world, published March 2; a letter explaining how the Bush administration will keep together its international coalition to fight terrorism in the wake of various conflicts and controversies with U.S. partners, April 1; a letter concerning microeconomic and macroeconomic reforms of Japan’s economy, April 15; a letter arguing that the European Union must reform and simplify its governing institutions, May 16; a letter discussing why he does not believe the corporate tax system in the United States will hinder the country’s economy, June 3; and a letter arguing that the dollar and the euro should be valued at about parity, given underlying economic fundamentals, July 3.

An article about research by David Jacobs, professor of sociology, ran in the March 3 Washington Post. Jacobs’ research found states with larger proportions of African Americans are more likely to have the death penalty on the books than states with smaller black populations.

Mansel Blackford, professor of history, was quoted by Gannett News Service, March 4, about reasons behind the decision by President Bush to impose tariffs on steel imported into the United States.

United Press International, March 5, carried an article about research by Thomas Hetherington, associate professor of evolution, ecology and organismal biology, that revealed certain species of salamanders and lizards can actually hear through their lungs.

Douglas Cole, assistant professor of law, was quoted in a March 5 Associated Press article about a lawsuit by the Northrop Grumman company asking a federal judge to stop Ohio from enforcing its anti-takeover laws.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 8, ran an article about a keynote speech given by Donna Ford, professor of education, at a symposium in Pittsburgh titled “It’s Our Time to Shine!” The symposium, aimed at gifted black students, was designed to encourage them to perform well academically despite pressures to do otherwise.

Jeffrey Kipnis, professor of architecture, was quoted in a major New York Times article on March 10 about the “Mood River” exhibition at the Wexner Center for the Arts. Kipnis co-curated the exhibit with Annetta Massie of the Wexner Center. An April 27 San Francisco Chronicle article mentioned Kipnis’ work curating the show “Perfect Acts of Architecture,” then showing in San Francisco. An Aug. 11 New York Times story noted that Kipnis organized the “Perfect Acts of Architecture” exhibit that was being shown in New York.

Former President Brit Kirwan was quoted in the March 11 Business Week about the Business-Higher Education Forum, a group that is discussing ways to improve minority representation in businesses and colleges and universities. Kirwan was quoted by the Associated Press, April 25, in an article about the decision by the NCAA to relax its eligibility rules, allowing high school athletes to enter the NBA draft but still go to college as long as they don’t sign with a team or an agent. Kirwan is chairman of the NCAA’s board of directors. A June 12 Baltimore Sun article noted that Ohio State named a new institute in honor of Kirwan. The institute, established this year as one of four core priorities in the University’s Academic Plan, is called the William E. Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity in the Americas.

Articles about research by Catherine Stoney, professor of psychology, ran in several publications recently. Stoney found short periods of psychological stress can cause the body to take longer to clear heart-damaging fats from the bloodstream. Coverage included: U.S. News & World Report, March 11; Popular Science, May 2002; and Prevention and Shape, July 2002.

David Haury, associate professor of education, was quoted in a March 12 London Guardian article about the debate in Ohio whether public schools in the state should teach the theory of intelligent design along with evolution. Intelligent design is a theory that rejects the view that life on Earth evolved by mere chance and natural selection. Haury said the theory is beyond the realm of science and should not be taught in public school classrooms.

Stephen Cecchetti, professor of economics, received media attention in a number of outlets during the last several months. Cecchetti wrote an op-ed article for the March 14 Financial Times arguing that the U.S. Federal Reserve needed to be prepared to raise interest rates soon and decisively. Cecchetti was quoted in articles in the Associated Press, March 20, and Ottawa Citizen, March 22, about how promotional interest rate reductions, such as zero-percent financing on cars, probably wouldn’t last much longer. Cecchetti was quoted in the March 31 New York Times about how the U.S. economy had remained resilient and productive, even during the recent brief recession. The April 13 International Herald Tribune quoted him in an article about the median consumer price index, a method of measuring inflation that he helped develop. Cecchetti wrote an op-ed article for the May 9 Financial Times arguing that central bankers neglect their duty when they ignore unsustainably high asset prices. He was quoted in the June 22 Financial Times about how the Federal Reserve Board should have considered raising interest rates modestly to dampen the rapidly growing housing market. The Associated Press on July 23 quoted Cecchetti about how the Bush administration was hurt by the failure of U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill to take a commanding, visible presence in economic policy during a time of uncertainty. Cecchetti was quoted in the New Republic, July 22, about his belief that a healthy economic recovery hinges on businesses resuming investments in capital equipment. Cecchetti was quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Aug. 19, about his belief that current inflation levels were not high enough to prompt major concern by the Federal Reserve Board. The Sept. 25 New York Times quoted him about his belief that the U.S. economy was healthy enough and that there was no clear-cut case for further interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve Board. Cecchetti wrote an op-ed column arguing that the Federal Reserve Board was wrong to argue that monetary policy should not be used to ease distortions in asset prices, published in the Financial Times, Sept. 4, and the London Daily Telegraph, Sept. 9. Cecchetti was quoted in the New Republic, Sept. 9, in an article that examined the threat of deflation on the U.S. economy and steps the Federal Reserve Board should take to avoid deflation.