OSU Headlines

Occupational Education Program ranked among nation’s best

Grogg named interim president at OSU-CHS as Fernandes steps down
Stanley E. Grogg, D.O., will serve as interim president of OSU Center for Health Sciences beginning July 2 following an announcement from John Fernandes that he would step down as current president and dean as of July 1 to pursue other interests. Fernandes has headed the medical program since 2003. OSU will conduct a national search for his successor. Grogg is medical director of clinical research, a professor of pediatrics at OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine and former director of the Osteopathic Medical Education Consortium of Oklahoma. For more information, click here.  

Economic stimulus projects submitted for funding
The Oklahoma Department of Commerce has submitted a comprehensive application to the U.S. Department of Energy recommending more than $8 million in funding for three OSU projects among the 21 others statewide that are designed to stimulate jobs. More than half of the proposed funding would finance a significant advancement for OSU’s biofuels research. It would also help further energy conservation efforts on the OSU campus in Stillwater and at the Center for Health Sciences in Tulsa. The total funding sought for all 24 projects, which could create or save 745 jobs, is $42,245,028.

OSU alum seeking educational materials for Iraqi physicians
OSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine is working with an alumnus stationed in Iraq to provide civilian doctors with updated educational materials to improve the Iraqi health care system. Capt. Bob Hart (class of 2004) contacted the college’s Continuing Medical Education Office to request help. The college has supplied Hart with 239 hours of medical lectures on DVDs and is exploring online delivery possibilities. Hart is also looking for donations of journals, books, and other written materials on all medical subjects. He can be reached via e-mail at robert.s.hart@3bct82ab.army.mil. For more information, contact Cyndi Canning at 1-800-274-1972 or e-mail cyndi.canning@okstate.edu.

Outreach Web site for online courses debuts

Spears School students teach personal finance to teens
Five members of OSU’s Financial Management Association recently visited Lincoln Academy, Stillwater’s alternative high school, to give a presentation about the importance of personal finance to students. FMA President Conor Mahan, along with members Amalia Deines, Aubrey Gooden, Ross Gillispie and Jay Creech taught the students the basics of budgeting, saving for retirement, and monitoring their bank accounts and credit scores. For more, click here.

Oklahoma Chautauqua set for next week at OSU-Tulsa
“Lincoln's Legacy of Equality: Voices on the Fringe” is the theme for the 2009 Oklahoma Chautauqua June 2-6 at OSU-Tulsa. The 18th annual event will take place Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. under the tent. Appearing in costume, the scholars recount stories in the character's own words and in the language of their time. Daily workshops will take place Tuesday through Saturday and local musicians will provide entertainment Wednesday through Saturday at 6:30 p.m. prior to the evening performances. It’s free and open to the public. For more, click here.

Weekend Monroe Street closing for tower crane disassembly in Stillwater
Monroe Street will be closed on the OSU campus starting Friday, May 29, at 6 p.m. to allow workers to disassemble the tower crane near Monroe and Farm Road. The work to take down the large mobile construction crane will start Saturday morning and is expected to be finished later in the day, but the road closure is scheduled to continue through Sunday, May 31, in case of weather delays. Monroe will reopen as soon as the work on the crane is complete.

Executive Education Partnership Program set for OSU in July
Business and government professionals will have the opportunity to improve their leadership skills at the Executive Education Partnership Program scheduled for July 26-30 on the OSU campus at the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center. Executives who attend the Partnership Program can improve their decision-making abilities, exchange ideas and interact with professionals in a variety of fields. Session topics include strategy, ethics, marketing, coaching, leadership, emotional intelligence, economics, mentoring and a business simulation. For more information and registration, click here.

OSU transit buses to serve as “safe places”
OSU Parking and Transit Services is partnering with Payne County Youth Services to participate in Project Safe Place to give youth a “safe place” in time of need. Each location displays a distinct yellow and black Safe Place logo that students in the area (from middle school to high school) are told to look for when they are in a crisis situation or need a safe place to get help. The 18 transit buses that cover the Stillwater community will serve as mobile safe places as of June 1 along with the multi-modal facility at the corner of Monroe and Hall of Fame. For more information, contact Chris Davis at (405) 744-2373 or click here.

Call for summertime exhibit entries
The City of Stillwater Multi Arts Center is issuing a call for entries for a special exhibit that will be on display in the gallery from July 10-31. The exhibit, “The All American Summer,” seeks entries that represent the essence of summertime, such as memories of barbecues, fireworks, camping, fireflies, watermelon, etc. The exhibit is open to all artists working in all media. Submissions are due at the Multi Arts Center by July 2. The exhibit will kick off with an opening reception on Friday, July 10, from 5-7 p.m. Click here for more information.

Spring cleaning for nutrition
Clean the pantry and stock up on the basics for good nutrition. Click here.

Summer savings
Each day offers energy saving opportunities, but summer months can be a challenge to keep buildings cool and utility costs down. When leaving for the day, close blinds and angle them upward to reduce heat load into office and classroom areas. Turn off computers, monitors, speakers, and non-network printers. Turn off lights and unplug any non-essential electronic equipment. Practice these energy-saving habits at home too, and watch your own energy bills decline.  

Wellness tip: Don’t skip meals
A recent survey indicated that up to 70 percent of Americans skip breakfast. It also found that up to 40 percent skip lunch. Skipping meals can lead to excessive hunger and overeating later in the day or evening. It can also lead to low blood sugar, moodiness and fatigue. Consider keeping healthy snacks around. Examples include low-fat yogurt, low-fat string cheese, dried or fresh fruit, whole-grain cereals and nuts. 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).