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
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.
American Demographics (June): Joe Sirgy, professor of marketing in the Pamplin College of Business and executive director of the International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, was quoted in a story, "Crashes, Fires, and Falls" about advances in product safety in the U.S.
Virginia Business (July): George Morgan, the Crestar professor of finance and director of the university's Space and Wireless Business Center, was quoted in two stories, "Spectrum Speculators" and "Wireless Village," about Virginia Tech's successful bid for broadband radio spectrum in an FCC auction earlier this year.
The New York Times (July 15): Don Chance, the First Union professor of financial risk management, was quoted in a feature story, "If the price isn't right, just change it," about the tendency of many companies to re-price stock options in corporate pay packages to keep key employees.
CBS MarketWatch Report (July 16): Don Chance was quoted in a story, "Technological changes, competition spurring CBOE's merger talks with Pacific Exchange," about the reasons behind the proposed merger of the Chicago Board Options Exchange and the Pacific Exchange.

Richmond Times-Dispatch Metro Business Monthly (August): Janet Keith, associate professor of marketing, was quoted extensively in a story, " Sales Bloom with Cold Calls," about the necessity for sales people to make cold calls. Keith also provided tips for successful calling.
The Washington Post (August 30): Debra Callihan, assistant professor of accounting, was quoted in a story, "A Change that Makes House Sales Less Taxing," about the opportunities and pitfalls of the new law eliminating taxes on most home sales .
Star Tribune, Minneapolis (September 14): Steve Markham, professor of management, was quoted in a story, "Less Qualified Tend to Lie More on Tests," about the tendency of some job applicants to lie on pre-employment personality tests to get jobs they aren't qualified to have.
International Securities Regulation Report (September 24): Vijay Singal, associate professor of finance, was quoted in a story, "Imposition of Currency Controls Draws Fire as Foreigners See Risk to Transparency Gains," about foreign investors' bearish response to the Malaysian government's ban on ringgit trading in overseas markets.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch, (September 29): Kent Murrmann, associate professor of management, was quoted in a story, "A rejuvenated labor movement?" about the current state of American trade unionism and the efforts of union leaders to spark a national debate about the proper role of corporations in American society.
Business Finance (October): Vijay Singal, associate professor of finance, was quoted in a story, "The Fire Sale in Asia," on prospects for troubled Asian economies and the challenges and opportunities for U.S. investors and manufacturers.
RF Design (October 1998): The national magazine for radio-frequency industries featured "A moment with Theodore S. Rappaport," outlining the career of the founding director of Tech's Mobile & Portable Radio Research Group (MPRG) and including an interview with Rappaport about the future of wireless communications. Rappaport's views on smart-antenna technology was the subject of the cover article of the October 12 issue of Mobile Phone News. Rappaport and his MPRG colleagues are developing antenna systems that will reduce interference in wireless communications transmissions.
Blue Ridge Business Journal (October): Vijay Singal, associate professor of finance, was quoted in a cover story, "World Markets Affect the Region," about the impact of economic turmoil in Asia and other parts of the world on importers and exporters in Southwest Virginia.
Smart Money Interactive (October 5): Don Chance, the First Union professor of financial risk management, was quoted extensively in a story, "Derivatives 101," that explained how these financial instruments work.
The Chicago Tribune (October 25): Barry O'Donnell, associate director of the MBA program in the Pamplin College of Business, was quoted in a story, "Has the MBA Lost Its Magic?" about the career value of having this advanced business degree.
World Boom Ahead (1998): Virginia Tech's MBA program in Northern Virginia was among a handful of MBA programs cited in this book by Knight Kiplinger. The MBA program was included in a section that described how business schools are seeking to differentiate themselves in a competitive market for advanced business education by specializing in certain areas. Virginia Tech's MBA program was cited for its specialty in information and communications technology.
With Good Reason (week of November 1): Communication Studies Professor James Weaver talked about America's love affair with horror films.
CNN "CNN and Company"(November 6): English Professor Nikki Giovanni discussed current social and political issues in a half-hour roundtable discussion on the off-year congressional elections.
With Good Reason (week of November 8): English Instructor David Toomey, author of Amelia Earhart's Daughters, discussed female military aviators from World War II to the dawn of the space age.
Baby Talk (November) and Parents (December): Robin Cooper, associate professor of psychology, was quoted on her work on infants' recognition of their mothers' speech.
Washington Post (Nov. 19): A story on the Alexandria Research Institute included quotes from President Paul Torgersen; Electrical Engineering Head Leonard Ferrari; and Lynn Nystrom, director of news and external relations for Engineering.