David Bahlmann, Ball State Foundation president and CEO

Indianapolis Business Journal quoted Bahlmann in a Nov. 22 article, "Colleges on alert on slow spending." With the weakening economy, the last area where universities could be pinched is on fund-raising. Ball State publicly announced a $200 million capital campaign Sept. 5 — just 10 days before the financial crisis touched off on Wall Street. It already had more than $120 million in commitments. Bahlmann said he's watching to see if market losses mean fewer and smaller gifts from donors. "We're doing well, " he said. "The question is, will we be able to sustain that given that the people that support us have seen their investments lose value?"

Michael Hicks, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research

The Seattle Times quoted Hicks in a Nov. 19 article, "What about bankruptcy option?" Hicks warns that what's ailing Detroit and its auto makers isn't fixable with a $25 billion government bailout. "This is not a bailout of the auto industry. The U.S. auto industry is doing just fine," he said. "It is a bailout of the United Auto Workers, and regardless of what happens to the bailout, it will simply prolong a period of poor performance." Hicks describes himself as a middle-of-the-road, nonideological economist. He carries weight on auto issues, however, because Indiana is, along with Michigan and Ohio, home to a large swath of auto and auto-parts manufacturers for Detroit vehicle makers and so-called transplants, the foreign automakers that build cars in America. "It's not really the wages of the guys at the factory that are the problem. It's the legacy costs — and the other union or labor costs — that are so damaging," he said, noting items such as full pay for idled UAW workers and janitorial staff receiving union wages saddle manufacturers with higher costs.

Stephan Jones, professor of information and communication studies, CICS director

In a Nov. 23 article published by the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, "Comcast leaps to wideband," Jones is featured in response to Comcast Corp.'s plans to launch its wideband service, which allows entire movies to be downloaded in minutes, in Allen County and Huntington this year. Wideband will match the speeds Verizon Communications Inc.'s fastest fiber-optic Internet package already offers Fort Wayne, New Haven and Huntertown residents. Fort Wayne residents have access to the nation's fastest residential Internet speeds, Jones said. The Verizon and Comcast packages can reach 50 mbps, which is the top residential Internet speed available in the country.

Mitchell Whaley, dean of the College of Applied Sciences and Technology

Whaley was quoted in a Nov. 25 article published in the Washington Post, "Adjusting to Your Monitor's Limits." Using a heart rate monitor can help with a workout program, but physiologists say it is important to understand the limitations of the devices, including their use in establishing maximum heart rates. Everyone has his or her own: a genetically determined "speed limit" that declines slightly with age. It can be measured in a lab but otherwise can only be estimated. There are several common formulas for making that estimation, one being 220 minus your age. A monitor that you buy might use such a formula to make an estimation but for any individual, it is quite likely wrong, by as much as plus or minus 12 beats per minute, Whaley said. "That means the zones set up by a monitor might push you too hard or not hard enough. It is therefore important to take it easy at first. See if the zones set by the monitor square with how you feel. Working out at 60 percent of your maximum heart rate should seem fairly easy; does it? Does 75 percent feel invigorating or leave you gasping?" he said.

Lucinda Woodward, assistant professor of psychological science

In a Nov. 10 article published by DC Download, "Doggone it, Barack: Can you please make a decision?," Woodward offers suggestions for the president-elect on the pooch his family will bring to the White House. Woodward said the Obama family should choose a dog that projects leadership and family friendliness, recommending black and yellow labs, collies, yorkies, dachshunds or beagles. She said the Obama family should avoid German shepherds, rottweilers, pit bulls and Chihuahuas. The story also ran in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.