Martha Stewart's company: What's next?
The future of the company Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia is extremely uncertain, now that its namesake and founder has stepped down as chairman and CEO as a result of a federal indictment, according to James Owers, a professor of finance at Georgia State University. "It will be remarkable if the professional management that she has put in place can maintain momentum without the crystallizing role that she has played so visibly," says Owers, who is available to comment on how developments in Stewart's case could affect her company. Law professor Ellen Podgor, an expert on white collar crime, is available to comment on Stewart's legal troubles. Contact Owers at 404-651-2619 or jowers@gsu.edu and Podgor at 404-651-2087 or epodgor@gsu.edu. Hear audio of Owers discussing the future of Stewart's company at http://www.gsu.edu/~wwwrad.

Summer rains, pesky mosquitoes prompt West Nile concerns
West Nile virus, which killed 284 people on its westward march across the United States last year, has transformed an irritating mosquito bite into a potentially deadly health hazard. Although no human cases have yet been reported this year, Georgia State University experts speculate the season's soggy conditions will provide ideal breeding grounds for disease-spreading mosquitoes. Georgia State biologists are working feverishly in a recently completed biosafety level 3 laboratory to reduce future West Nile deaths. Last summer, professor Margo Brinton discovered a gene that makes mice resistant to West Nile virus. In the new BSL-3 lab, Brinton and other biologists are trying to determine if humans and birds have a similar gene that confers resistance to the disease. Brinton, who has studied West Nile and related viruses for decades, can answer general public health questions about the virus, as well as questions about possible genetic links to West Nile. Contact her at 404-651-3113 or mbrinton@gsu.edu.

Black, white and red all over
The integrity of professional journalism has taken a lot of hits recently. At the center of the crisis is the nation's newspaper of record, The New York Times. Just last week, the executive and managing editors resigned in the wake of the Jayson Blair scandal. What can journalism students and the editors they will someday work for learn from the scandal? Carolyn Codamo, associate chair of the Department of Communication at Georgia State University, says the problem is not isolated to a few individuals in the field. "While there is no excuse for what Jayson Blair did, the whole affair is indicative of deeper issues relating to developments in the media that call into question the integrity of the profession," she says. For more, contact Codamo at 404-651-2591 or ccodamo@gsu.edu.

School's out: Parents should let children explore new interests
Between camps, academic classes and trips to the pool, there's no shortage of things for children to do on summer vacation. But with all the options available, parents are sometimes misinformed on what kinds of activities kids should be involved in during the summer, said John Kesner, an associate professor of early childhood education at Georgia State University. While there's no simple rule about whether solely academic or social activities are best, Kesner advises parents to allow their children to be part of the decision-making process, making sure that whatever activity is chosen is something the child enjoys and wants to do. Still, parents should also try to provide guidance and encourage their children to explore new interests, he said. Kesner, an expert in childhood development, is director of the College of Education's Saturday School for Scholars and Leaders, a year-long program that offers a variety of enrichment classes ranging from fine and applied arts to forensic science and zoology for children in grades K-8. For other tips for parents, contact Kesner at 404-651-2584 or ecejek@langate.gsu.edu.

Happening at Georgia State University:

National debate competition brings 5,000 kids, parents, teachers to campus
The Lincoln Financial Group/National Forensic League Speech and Debate Championships, a debate and public speaking competition for gifted high school students, will be held June 15 - 20 at Georgia State University. Ted Turner and several elected state officials are among those expected to participate in the events, which will draw about 5,000 students, teachers and parents. Additional venues include the Carter Center, King Center and Ebenezer Baptist Church. For more information, visit http://www.gsu.edu/news .

Gilbert retrospective on display
The work of Atlanta artist Ralph Gilbert will be exhibited June 2 through Aug. 8 at the Ernest G. Welch School of Art and Design Galleries. The show, "25 Years of Works on Paper," highlights Gilbert's drawings and prints, including studies for commissioned public art projects at Piedmont Park and the Helene S. Mills Senior Center of Fulton County. Gilbert, the school's director, will give an artist's talk at 5 p.m. June 19. The events are free and open to the public. For more information and gallery hours, visit www.gsu.edu/gallery or call 404-651-0489.

Georgia State Leads is published monthly during the summer by 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.

Georgia State Leads will be published monthly during the summer by 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