AMERICA AT WAR

Gauging presidential public relations
Two American Presidents named George Bush have led the United States to battle in the Middle East. Both men used speeches and other forms of communication to rally Americans around the cause. How does George W. Bush compare to his father? Is he doing a good job of making the connection between Iraq and terrorism? "This George Bush is not an especially eloquent president as that is normally understood," says Mary Stuckey, associate professor of communication at Georgia State University. "High flights of poetic language are just not his thing; he nonetheless has been quite persuasive." Contact Stuckey, who researches political communication and war rhetoric, at 404-651-2519 or mstuckey@gsu.edu. Hear audio of Stuckey discussing Bush's performance so far at http://www.gsu.edu/~wwwrad/.

The Middle East: An insider's perspective
While many news reports only speculate about how Middle Eastern residents feel about the U.S. military forces in the region, a Georgia State University sociologist can provide an authentic perspective. Behrooz Ghamari-Tabrizi, who is Iranian, has family members still living in Iran and can expound on their views of the current war. Ghamari-Tabrizi is also an expert on Islamic social movements and can answer questions about how Middle Eastern nations might respond to Operation Iraqi Freedom. Contact Ghamari-Tabrizi, assistant professor of sociology, at 404-463-9358 (office) or 404-525-2538 (home).

Planning for the worst in uncertain times
People tend to avoid estate planning because it's uncomfortable for them to contemplate their own death - yet wills are a vital part of successful personal management, says Conrad Ciccotello, a professor of risk management and insurance at Georgia State University. Ciccotello recommends that people living in regions that may be terrorist targets (such as near nuclear-power and chemical plants or dams) consider naming more than one guardian for their children and more than one executor for their will (a primary person and a backup). Contact Ciccotello at 404-651-1711 or cciccotello@gsu.edu.

Coping with increased business risk
War with Iraq has forced American companies to account for a whole new range of risks facing their businesses, including heightened threats of terrorism, higher oil prices and international boycotts of their products, among other uncertainties. Martin Leinweber, director of Georgia State's Center for Enterprise Risk Management and Assurance Services, can provide perspective on how businesses are reshaping their strategies to cope with these risks and how the war has affected corporate leaders' tolerance for risk-taking. Contact Leinweber at 404-651-2738 or mcleinweber@gsu.edu.

War won't stop study-abroad programs
The war in Iraq may be gaining momentum, but the global conflict shouldn't cause alarm among international students studying in the United States or Georgia State University students studying overseas, according to Doug Podoll, director of international programs at Georgia State. Podoll expects most international students will opt to stay in the States to finish the semester and those studying abroad will likely do the same. At this time, the university does not plan to cancel its programs abroad. For students studying overseas, Podoll said: "Often the safest thing is to stay put, go about your business, and stay away from protests." Georgia State has about 1,600 students from 140 countries enrolled this semester and about 20 students studying abroad in Eastern Europe and Central America. Over the next few months, more than 300 Georgia State students plan to study across the globe, from France to South Africa. Contact Podoll at 404-463-9073 or dougpodoll@gsu.edu.

Happening at Georgia State University:

Attorney to lecture on harassment and bullying in schools
American Civil Liberties Union attorney Beth Littrell will lecture March 31 on "Bias and Bullying in School: Educators' Responsibilities to Address Harassment and Discrimination" as part of the College of Education's Speaker Series. Littrell began the Sticks & Stones Project, a public-education campaign of the Georgia ACLU designed to reduce hate-based harassment in Georgia schools. The event will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, March 31, in Georgia State's Student Center (Sinclair Suite, second floor). Sponsored by the College of Education and the Center for Research on School Safety, School Climate and Classroom Management. Free and open to the public. For more information, call the College of Education at 404-651-2525.

Global concert celebrates international music and dance
Georgia State University's Diversity Education Programs and School of Music will present a concert featuring music and dance performances from three continents at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, at the Rialto Center for the Performing Arts. The concert, "Celebrating a World of Rhythm and Dance II: The Music of South India, Native North America and Nigeria," showcases Indian classical dance dramas, Native American powwow dances and excerpts from a festival honoring Oshun, the female orisha (deity) of beauty honored by the Yoruba of Nigeria. Tickets cost $10 for general admission and $5 for non-Georgia State students with ID. Georgia State students are admitted free with identification. For tickets, call the Rialto Box Office at 404-651-4727. For more information, call 404-463-9720 or visit the School of Music's website at www.music.gsu.edu.

GOAL! Program helps address depression among college students
Georgia State will host a GOAL! "Go On And Live" college seminar, "Depression in College: Real World. Real Life. Real Issues," March 27 as part of a national effort to address the prevalence of depression among college students. The seminar features MTV's "Real World" Chicago star, Cara Kahn, as well as speakers from Georgia State's Counseling Center and the National Mental Health Association of Georgia. The GOAL! campaign is part of a national effort to educate people about depression, and provide resources and treatment options. The event will be held at noon Thursday, March 27, in the Student Center Speaker's Auditorium (44 Courtland Street). Free and open to the public. Media interviews are available. For more information, contact Liz Wasden at 212-601-8117.

Georgia State Leads is a biweekly email publication from the Department of University Relations. For more information about the publication or to sign up to receive Georgia State Leads, contact Beth Flannigan at 404-651-3574 or bflannigan@gsu.edu.

Don't see what you're looking for? Call University Relations at 404-651-3025 for fast access to faculty experts and university news. After hours and on weekends, contact Betsy Robertson, assistant director, via pager at 404-655-3456.

©2003 Georgia State University