OSU Headlines

State lawmakers honor Trennepohl

OSU team places first in online timber bridge design competition
Students with the OSU chapter of American Society of Civil Engineers have won first place in the National Timber Bridge Design Competition. The OSU team competed against 14 others from the U.S. and Canada to win the competition, which requires the construction and testing of a timber bridge on campus, then submitting documentation to a panel of judges for review. In addition to winning best overall design, the OSU entry also placed second in Best Deck, third in Best Support Structure, and second in Most Innovative. The team received cash awards totaling $1,050 for their efforts. For photos and more, click here.

Lilley to be honored at international congress
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers has selected Dr. David Lilley, professor, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, to receive its Worcester Reed Warner Medal for outstanding individual contributions to the permanent literature of engineering. Specifically, “for innovative mathematical tools development, through the fundamental understanding of complex swirl flows, and their use to examine combustion performance, efficiency improvements, fire onset and fire growth in industrial applications.” The award, which includes an honorarium, will be presented to Lilley during the society’s international congress in November. For more information, click here.  

Toasting the Class of 2009
More than 60 graduating seniors participated in the Inaugural Farewell Senior Toast last week as they saluted the Class of 2009 with glasses of orange champagne. The toast is a new tradition hosted by the OSU Student Alumni Board and sponsored by Gary, Glenn and Mark Zannotti. OSU President Burns Hargis and Alumni Association Leadership Council Member Chris Batchelder spoke at the event and congratulated the seniors on their upcoming commencement. Seniors Jered Davidson and Meagan Wheeler presented the inaugural official toast they co-wrote to the attendees. The Student Alumni Board hopes to make the toast an annual tradition for graduating seniors. Click here for pictures and video of the event.

Center will accept “move out” items at no charge
The City of Stillwater’s Convenience Collection Center will accept bulk items at no charge from students with a valid OSU I.D. card through May 22. The center, 809 S. Perkins Road, accepts drop offs including non-hazardous recyclable goods, household waste and green waste, used cooking oil, tires, appliances, electronics (including TVs) and furniture items. It’s open Monday – Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. For more information, click here or call the Department of Public Works Waste Management Division at (405) 742-8269.

Oklahoma Student Media Festival set for May 12

Remote connection changes coming, options available
Information Technology plans to turn off the remote desktop connection and protocol as of June 1 to better protect the OSU computer system from hackers. IT is providing two alternative methods for connecting to university resources after that date. The first option is available to employees only. It is known as the VPN client and it can be found at the IT software distribution Web site by clicking here. The second option, available for both students and employees, is the web-based Terminal Services Gateway. Information on the configuration can be found at the IT Resource Center by clicking here. For more details, click here.

Bike to Work Day – Friday, May 15
May is National Bike Month and Friday, May 15, is National Bike to Work Day. Sign up to participate in Bike To Work Day before May 11 and get a free T-shirt (supply is limited). Register at Cooper’s Bicycle Center, 220 S. Main in Stillwater or call them at (405) 372-2525. Stillwater participants will meet at Stillwater Medical Center at 7:30 a.m. for photos and refreshments, and will then travel to campus together as a group. This event is sponsored by the OSU Seretean Wellness Center, Cooper's Bicycle Center, Red Dirt Pedalers, and Stillwater Medical Center. For additional information, please call Coopers.

How they benefit your overall health…
Don’t forget your B6 or Vitamin E.

Summer thermostat tips on- and off-campus
If you’re leaving for the summer, turn the air conditioner to auto and 82°F in OSU residential life areas that are being completely vacated. If you are staying, be sure to set your thermostat to 82 anytime you leave for an extended period of time, such as all day or a weekend. It only takes about 30-45 minutes to bring room temps back down to a comfortable 74°F when you return home.

Wellness tip: Make healthy changes stick
Are you trying to change a health or exercise behavior? If so, sticky notes may help. Try leaving brief reminders on your car's steering wheel, on the fridge, in your day planner, on the bathroom mirror, and even in your desk drawer or closet. Make them positive messages of encouragement and self-direction. These reminders are like having your own personal wellness coach. Wellness tips are brought to you by the OSU Seretean Wellness Center, dedicated to making OSU the Healthiest Campus in America. For more information about services for students, faculty and staff, call 744-WELL (9355).