Spectrum - Volume 18 Issue 35 July 11, 1996 - Newsmakers

A non-profit publication of the Office of the University Relations of Virginia Tech,
including The Conductor , a special section of the Spectrum printed 4 times a year

Newsmakers

Spectrum Volume 18 Issue 35 - July 11, 1996

Virginia Tech faculty and staff members and students are often the subject of significant national and state-wide news coverage. To better inform the university community about these accomplishments, the Office of University Relations has compiled this monthly report. This report excludes coverage in the Roanoke news-media market. For more information about the articles mentioned, call Julie Kane, university public relations coordinator at 1-9934, or contact your college public relations office.

Dallas Morning News (Dec. 9): Matthew McAllister , a professor in communication studies, was quoted about uses of small talk on TV.

The Des Moines Register (Jan. 14), Syracuse Herald-Journal (Feb. 1): Carroll Stephens, assistant professor of management, was cited in a story on the social impact of downsizing.

Virginia Business (March 1996): included an article about Kent Murphy , assistant professor of electrical engineering, associate director of the Virginia Tech Fiber and Electro-Optics Research Center, and president of Fiber & Sensor Technologies.

The Wall Street Journal (March 4): Jim Littlefield , marketing professor, was quoted in an article on bankers who start their own banks after being displaced by mergers.

The Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel (March 23): The lead story, "Shopping for Values," on the front page of the Living Section quoted Cosby Steele Rogers of family and child development. She discussed how children learn their values from their parents and peers.

The Charleston Gazette (March 26): Matthew McAllister , communication studies, was quoted in a story about the threat to arts and education by advertising in non-commercial space.

(The Nashville Network) TNN (March 29): The TNN "Crook and Chase Show," which is also syndicated to more than 60 local stations, interviewed E. Thomas Garman , professor of housing, interior design, and resource management, about his book Rip-offs and Frauds: How to Avoid and How to Get Away (Second Edition). Garman also appeared on WSMV-TV (CBS) and WTVF-TV (NBC) while in Nashville.

Equinox (March/April 1996): Craig Rogers , director of the Center for Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, was quoted in an article "Future Tech II: Making Smarter Stuff." Rogers was described as "one of the field's leading visionaries."

Mademoiselle magazine (April 1996): An editorial piece titled "Ladies in Waiting" credits the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University study of restroom usage times for the enactment of "potty-parity" laws in 12 states.

Richmond's Talking Business (April 1996): Christopher Neck , assistant professor of management, was cited in a story on management stress.

Virginia Business (April 1996): An article about "education powerhouses" in the New River Valley "inspiring the region's economic success" featured Kent Murphy and Rick Claus of the Electrical Engineering Department and the Fiber and Electro-Optics Research Center, and Tracy Wilkins of the university's Center for Biotechnology.

Gazette Virginian (April 17), The News and Record (May 3): The Pamplin College of Business MBA Program in South Boston was featured in a story. Ron Johnson , associate dean of MBA and international programs, conducted an information session on the part-time program for 35 prospective students.

Inform magazine (Issue No. 1, 1996): Michael O'Brien , chair of the graduate program in architecture, was featured for his designs of affordable housing for Nationwide Homes. The work of professors Robert Dunay and Donna Dunay , "Twin Stairs for two Brothers," was also highlighted. The unique house addition includes two bedrooms, a bath and a playroom for the Dunays' sons. A professor from the Washington-Alexandria Consortium, Susan Piedmont-Palladino and her firm were recognized for their design of a dentist office that successfully dealt with inherent structural challenges.

The Hartford Courant (May 9): Matthew McAllister , communication studies professor, was quoted in a story about adults addicted to children's TV programs.

Washington Post (May 20): The lead front page story about fraud quoted E. Thomas Garman of housing, interior design, and resource management.

Washington Post (May 21): Staff writer Ben Forgey covered an event in which Jaan Holt , director of the Washington-Alexandria Architecture Consortium, led a group in protesting the design requirements for the proposed World War II Memorial. Under the guidelines, Maya Lin, an undergraduate architecture student who designed the Vietnam War Memorial, would have not been allowed to compete.

Washington Times (May 21): Jaan Holt and students of the Washington-Alexandria Consortium were featured in an article concerning their protest of the design criteria of the World War II Memorial design contest.

The Virginian-Pilot (May 25): Robert Schubert , assistant dean of research in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies, was featured in an article about buildings of the future.

L.A. Parent (June 1996): The story "Shooting for Peace" cites a Virginia Tech study and quotes Cosby S. Rogers of family and child development on how playing with toy guns affects young children's subsequent behavior. A sidebar story, "Talking to Kids about Guns," quotes Rogers on ways to help children distinguish between play with toy guns and the danger of real guns.

Weight Watchers Magazine (June 1996): Janet Walberg Rankin of human nutrition, foods, and exercise is quoted in a sidebar story listing tips for controlling weight gain while on vacation.

The Virginia Engineer (June 1996): An article was published about the College of Engineering's new Practice-Oriented Master's Program, a 12-month graduate program leading to an M.S. degree with an emphasis on industrial design. Mechanical engineering professor Norman Eiss was featured as one of the program's developers.

The Virginia Engineer (June 1996): This issue included news briefs about three College of Engineering faculty members: Robert C. Hoehn , professor of civil engineering, who received the 1996 A.P. Black Research Award from the American Water Works Association; Pamela Kurstedt , assistant dean for enrichment and international programs, who has been named director of engineering programs at the Northern Virginia Graduate Center; and Hanif Sherali, professor of industrial and systems engineering, who will receive the 1996 Computer Science Technical Section Research Award from the Institute for Operational Research and Management.

Wall Street Journal (June 3): The Blacksburg Electronic Village was the subject of an article titled "Towns `Get Wired' to Spur Development" featuring Virginia Tech and the town of Blacksburg.

A&E Channel (June 6): Clifton Bryant , sociology professor, was on "Ancient Mysteries" in a segment on ancient death-and-burial rites.

The Washington-Post (June 11): Teachers and students of Virginia Tech's Washington-Alexandria Architecture Consortium were mentioned in a follow-up article on their protest of the design criteria set by the American Battle Monuments Commission for the World War II Memorial. Consortium Director Jaan Holt led the protest charge which was supported by many architecture colleges in the United States. The General Services Administration and the American Battle Monuments Commission changed most of the offending rules, except for maintaining the deadline for entries on August 12 (most design students will be on break and will not be aware of the competition).

NPR (June 17): David Conn , special assistant to the provost and professor in urban affairs and planning, and Richard Rich , chair of the Political Science Department, were featured in a segment of "With Good Reason" on chemical accidents. Last year, Conn discussed solid-waste recycling on the program.

The Australian (June 19): Sara Stock of the newspaper's Washington Bureau filed a story back to Sydney on the Equine Medical Center dedication ceremony honoring two Australians killed along with a Maryland teenager in a car accident associated with the 1995 International Mounted Games Exchange in Lexington, Kentucky last year.

Reader's Digest (July 1996): A condensed version of the USA Today weekly story appeared about Blacksburg being the "most wired town in America" with its Blacksburg Electronic Village .

American Health (July/August 1996): Gerontologist Rosemary Blieszner was quoted in an article titled "The Enduring Power of Friendship."