Spectrum - Volume 19 Issue 24 March 20, 1997 - 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 19 Issue 24 - March 20, 1997

Virginia Tech faculty and staff members and students are often the subject of significant national and statewide 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.

(Birmingham, Ala.) Post Herald (June 4, 1996): Anne Cheney , associate professor of English, was identified as a nominee for a Pulitzer Prize in biography. She had recently completed The Life and Legacy of Jesse Hill Ford.

USA Today (Oct. 31): John Edwards, a professor of sociology, was quoted in the LIFE section in an article on the internet.

Applied Microwave & Wireless (Nov./Dec. 1996): The Mobile and Portable Radio Research Group was featured in an article, "University Programs Develop New Wireless Engineers."

Hispanic Engineer (Winter 1997): Virginia Tech chemical engineering Ph.D. candidate Monique Jackson was the first subject chosen for a series of interviews for articles spotlighting outstanding Hispanic engineering graduate students. Jackson is president of the Student Chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.

Scientific American (January 1997): William H. Velander , professor of chemical engineering, co-authored an article titled "Transgenic Livestock as Drug Factories." The article revealed how the introduction of human genes can induce livestock to produce therapeutic proteins in milk.

Esquire (Feb. '97 issue): Professor Anne Cheney was quoted in an article regarding her biography of Jesse Hill Ford.

CNN (Feb. 3): English Professor Nikki Giovanni was profiled on "All About Women," a feature airing several times during the day. She discussed her new book "Love Poems."

CNN (Feb. 4): English Professor Nikki Giovanni discussed current political and social issues on "CNN & Company," a half-hour talk show on the network.

Voice of America (Feb. 11): Marketing Professor James Littlefield discussed pyramid schemes bilking the public of Albania.

WRVA Radio (Feb. 12): Antonio Trani , an associate professor of civil engineering, was interviewed on airport and airline safety for a segment of the station's "Newsroom" show.

Philadelphia Inquirer (Feb. 16): Sociology Professor Clifton Bryant was quoted in a story on Jewish burial societies.

NBC (week of Feb. 10): Associate Professor Doris Zallen in the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies was a consultant for a segment of "Chicago Hope."

(Virginia Public Radio) With Good Reason (week of Feb. 28): Virginia Tech History Professor Crandall Shifflett discussed the history and legacy of vanishing coal-mining communities.

Richmond Times Dispatch (March 2), Washington Post (March 3), Chronicle of Higher Education (March 7): Articles were written about Virginia Tech's stock in PPL Therapeutics, the company recently in the news as a result of cloning a lamb from the cells of an adult sheep. TransPharm Inc., a company created in 1992 by Tracy Wilkins , director of the Fralin Biotechnology Center, as a spin-off of research conducted at Virginia Tech, merged with PPL in 1993. Mike Martin of Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Vice President for Finance and Treasurer, Ray Smoot , and Wilkins were quoted in the Times Dispatch and the Post , and Wilkins was quoted in the Chronicle . They pointed out that the coverage will increase people's awareness of the significant work in biotechnology taking place at Virginia Tech.

(Virginia Public Radio) With Good Reason ( week of March 7): English Professor Lucinda Roy talked about her latest poetry.