PURDUE NEWS SUMMARY FOR WEEK OF NOV. 27-DEC. 1 This digest contains summaries of the following stories from Purdue News Service and Agricultural Communication Service. All these stories, and more, are available on the World Wide Web at http://news.uns.purdue.edu/html3month/3month.html (Instructions for retrieving stories and photographs via the Internet are at the end of this document.) 1. Cantilever software bridges gap between design, production 2. Professional development classes offered at purdue 3. Learn biotech basics on-line from Purdue 4. Living Christmas trees: A lot of work but a joy to the world 5. Purdue turns lemons into lemonade for agricultural exporters 6. 'Hidden hunger' threatens many crops, researcher says 7. Purdue to host national conference for agribusiness 8. Tax workshop helps farmers close the book on 2000 9. Annual Illiana Vegetable Growers School approaches 10. Purdue plans graduations for West Lafayette, Calumet 11. Associate dean promoted to president's executive assistant 12. Purdue education dean heads back to the classroom 13. Airport director retires after 39 years of service 14. Purdue Repertory Dance Company presents 8 premieres 15. Purdue announces additional flu vaccine opportunities 16. Purdue technology resources coming to Web 17. Purdue Bell Tower is new site for Golden Taps ceremony 18. Purdue police arrest four students on drug-related charges 19. Purdue calendar 20. Agriculture calendar 21. Best Bets for Journalists 22. News tips sent the week of Nov. 27 - Dec. 1 23. Purdue Notebook 24. Inside Purdue and Perspective ------------------------ GENERAL INTEREST NEWS ------------------------ 1. CANTILEVER SOFTWARE BRIDGES GAP BETWEEN DESIGN, PRODUCTION A high-tech, start-up company located in the Purdue Research Park is developing software to help large manufacturers of customized, high-value products reduce time to market and lower costs. ''What if your manufacturing organization could communicate efficiently and painlessly with engineering - in the early stages of product development - to significantly reduce the total time and cost required to design and deliver new products?,'' asks Julie Goonewardene, president of Cantilever Technologies. 2. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CLASSES OFFERED AT PURDUE Purdue University's Office of Continuing Engineering Education is offering 14 noncredit, professional development courses beginning Jan. 8. Classes will be taught at Purdue during the spring semester and broadcast via the Indiana Higher Education Telecommunications System to more than 100 industrial and public access sites in Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee and Wisconsin. 3. LEARN BIOTECH BASICS ONLINE FROM PURDUE People looking for information on agricultural biotechnology can log onto a Purdue University Web site that takes them step-by-step through the basic science and fundamental issues surrounding biotechnology. ''There is a lot of confusion about agricultural biotechnology, and we thought we could help by trying to explain the basics of the science in accessible terms,'' says horticulture professor Peter Goldsbrough, a member of the team that created the Web site. ''We wanted to create a resource for high school teachers and students, but we also wanted it to be accessible to anyone looking for more information on the subject.'' 4. LIVING CHRISTMAS TREES: A LOT OF WORK BUT A JOY TO THE WORLD It's that time of year again. People are buying presents and decorating their homes for the holidays. A Christmas tree is an essential part of the decorating. However, after the holidays, most Christmas trees end up on the curb where they wait for the trash truck instead of Santa Claus. A living Christmas tree is an option for home owners who would rather not throw their tree away. It's usually sold with the root ball secured in a burlap sack or as a potted tree that can be planted later. -------------------- AGRICULTURAL NEWS -------------------- 5. PURDUE TURNS LEMONS INTO LEMONADE FOR AGRICULTURAL EXPORTERS When the Indianapolis owner of Fry & Associates, a food technology company, first tried to sell margarine in the newly opened Eastern European markets several years ago, he learned an important lesson: What worked in the United States sat unsold on the shelves in Poland. ''Quite frankly, they were used to making butter from milk that was slightly fermented, plus they strongly preferred butter and margarine with no salt,'' owner Dennis Fry says. ''We changed our margarine to have a stronger flavor, and left out the salt, and it began to sell.'' 6. 'HIDDEN HUNGER' THREATENS MANY CROPS, RESEARCHER SAYS Acres of crops fail to reach yield potential every year, and Purdue University plant pathologist Don Huber says the reason often can be traced to the same source that robs humans of optimal performance: a poor diet. Huber says crops usually get enough phosphorus, potassium and other common minerals to grow, but often can't draw sufficient micronutrients from the soil to fend off diseases. Such nutrients include the metals manganese, copper, zinc, iron and boron. Symptoms aren't always apparent. Scientists call the phenomenon ''hidden hunger.'' 7. PURDUE TO HOST NATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR AGRIBUSINESS Agribusiness executives will discuss issues critical to the industry's future at Purdue University during the National Conference for Agribusiness, January 29-30, 2001. The theme for the 2001 event is ''Selling Redefined: Innovative Sales Strategies for a Virtual World.'' The conference is sponsored by the Center for Agricultural Business, within the Agricultural Economics Department at Purdue. This year's focus will be on the adoption of technology in agribusiness management and selling. 8. TAX WORKSHOP HELPS FARMERS CLOSE THE BOOK ON 2000 Before they flip the calendar to 2001, farmers may want to take one last look at their 2000 taxable income. Producers have until year's end to make any changes that would affect what they owe Uncle Sam. A Purdue University workshop can help them make wise tax-planning decisions. ''Income Tax Management for Farmers in 2000'' is scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 12. The workshop will be broadcast live by closed-circuit TV at locations throughout Indiana. 9. ANNUAL ILLIANA VEGETABLE GROWERS SCHOOL APPROACHES The annual Illiana Commercial Vegetable Growers' school is scheduled for Jan. 4, 2001 at Teibel's Restaurant in Schererville, Ind. ''Producing tomatoes in high tunnels and pest management updates, together with the chance to get together with other growers are probably the largest draw,'' said Liz Maynard, Purdue University Cooperative Extension specialist. --------------------------- NEWS ABOUT PURDUE PEOPLE --------------------------- 10. PURDUE PLANS GRADUATIONS FOR WEST LAFAYETTE, CALUMET Purdue University will conduct three graduation ceremonies at two campuses later this month. Approximately 2,950 students are eligible to participate in West Lafayette commencement ceremonies at 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, in the Elliott Hall of Music, said Kathleen Munn, assistant registrar. 11. ASSOCIATE DEAN PROMOTED TO PRESIDENT'S EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT President Martin C. Jischke announced today (11/27) that Candiss Baksa Vibbert, associate dean of the graduate school, has been appointed as executive assistant to the president. Vibbert, a 20-year veteran of Purdue, will assume her new position on December 1. ''Candiss Vibbert brings an extraordinary amount of experience and ability to this new position,'' said Jischke. ''In addition to her broad and deep knowledge of Purdue and its missions, she possesses outstanding professional communication skills and a record of excellent performance in every position she has held. I feel very fortunate that she has agreed to join my staff.'' 12. PURDUE EDUCATION DEAN HEADS BACK TO THE CLASSROOM Saying it's a natural career evolution, Marilyn Haring announced Monday (11/27) she will conclude her 10 years of service as dean of the Purdue University School of Education at the end of this academic year. Haring, who was named dean in 1991, will take a one-year sabbatical starting in July to prepare for her return to the classroom. ''Marilyn Haring will be difficult to replace,'' said Purdue President Martin C. Jischke. ''Her commitment to making the School of Education a national leader has been outstanding. We are losing a great administrator, but we are gaining an outstanding leader in the university classroom.'' 13. AIRPORT DIRECTOR RETIRES AFTER 39 YEARS OF SERVICE Robert E. Stroud, director of the Purdue University airport, will retire Dec. 31, capping almost 40 years with Purdue - half of those in his present position. Betty M. Stansbury will succeed Stroud effective Jan. 1. Stansbury recently served as assistant airport manager at the Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston from 1996-2000. ''During the past 39 years Bob Stroud has served the university and the community with distinction,'' said Chuck Sharp, director of service enterprises. ''Because of his leadership, we are well positioned to take advantage of the opportunities that will be available in the first years of the new century.'' ------------------------------- ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT ITEMS ------------------------------- 14. PURDUE REPERTORY DANCE COMPANY PRESENTS 8 PREMIERES The Purdue Repertory Dance Company (PRDCo) will present eight premieres in their winter dance concert, ''Winter Works,'' Dec. 7-9 in the Experimental Theater, Stewart Center. The performances are at 8 p.m. with a 3 p.m. matinee on Dec. 9. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for Purdue students, $6 for senior citizens and $4 for children under 13 years. They can be purchased in person or by phone from the Purdue Box Office at (765) 494-3933 or (800) 914-7469. ---------------------- MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS ---------------------- 15. PURDUE ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL FLU VACCINE OPPORTUNITIES Purdue University has added two additional day-long flu shot clinics for the campus community. Flu shots will be provided from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Friday (12/1) and Friday, December 8. ''We have just received our second shipment of the vaccine ahead of schedule, which enables us to add these vaccine opportunities,'' said James Westman, director of the Purdue Student Health Center. The clinics will take place in Stewart Center, Room 306 this Friday, and Stewart Center, Room 302 next Friday. 16. PURDUE TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES COMING TO WEB Purdue is looking to provide Indiana companies with information technology expertise they need now and in the future with a new Web site that should help business professionals connect with faculty experts. ''We have about 150 staff members at the West Lafayette campus involved in information technology teaching and research,'' said John Schneider, assistant vice president of industry research and outreach. ''Most IT professionals around the state are not aware of the resources available to them. This Web site and other outreach programs are designed to help change that.'' 17. PURDUE BELL TOWER IS NEW SITE FOR GOLDEN TAPS CEREMONY One of Purdue's most reverent traditions, the Golden Taps ceremony honoring the lives of students who have passed away during the semester, makes a permanent move to the Purdue Bell Tower on Monday (12/4). Seven students will be honored in the short outdoor ceremony set for 9:30 p.m. at the base of the tower. Families and friends of the deceased, along with interested members of the general public are invited to attend. 18. PURDUE POLICE ARREST FOUR STUDENTS ON DRUG-RELATED CHARGES Purdue University police arrested four students on drug-related charges Wednesday (11/29) evening. Steven R. Dietrich, captain of detectives, said police arrested the four on warrants specifying a range of drug-related charges. All were taken to the Tippecanoe County jail where one was still incarcerated Thursday afternoon. 19. PURDUE CALENDAR This calendar lists entertainment events, lectures and meetings involving Purdue people during the next month. An online calendar of Purdue events is at http://www.purdue.edu/calendar/ 20. AGRICULTURE CALENDAR This calendar lists Purdue Agriculture events during the next four weeks. 21. BEST BETS FOR JOURNALISTS --Memorial Union continues holiday activities --Caterpillar worker to finally get weekends off --New Purdue grad races to NASCAR circuit 22. NEWS TIPS SENT THE WEEK OF NOV. 27 - DEC. 1 --State's largest Christmas tree moves to the Union 23. PURDUE NOTEBOOK --- Mary Anne Anderson, former special events coordinator to the Dean of the College of the Arts at Ohio State University, was appointed administrative assistant to Purdue University Galleries. - Sharon A. DeVaney, associate professor of consumer sciences and retailing, was named Mary Ellen Edmondson Educator of the Year by the Association of Financial Counseling and Planning Education. - Muriel Harris, professor of English, received Women's Issues in Literacy and Life Assembly's Rewey Belle Inglis Award at the organization's Nov. 17 conference. 24. INSIDE PURDUE AND PERSPECTIVE Check the online versions of Inside Purdue, the faculty/staff newspaper, and Perspective, a quarterly publication for alumni, parents of students, faculty and staff, for other news about Purdue, at http://www.purdue.edu/PER/Periodicals.html. HOW TO RETRIEVE STORIES AND PHOTOGRAPHS ELECTRONICALLY Releases, publication-quality photographs, and a searchable database of Purdue and Big 10 experts are available at the PurdueNews Web site at http://news.uns.purdue.edu. Faculty and staff may register as experts at the Web site. 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