Ohio State President William “Brit” Kirwan might have been away from Columbus on business, but that didn’t stop him from addressing students at Tech Expo ’98.”His schedule took him to a different place, but our video made it possible for him to be (at the expo).” said Egondu “Ego” Onyejekwe, director of emerging technologies at Ohio State. The video connection was one kind of technology showcased at the fourth annual event. Advances in computer software, the Internet, communication services and graphics were also featured.The Tech Expo is a part of OSU’s Space Week, which is a series of activities in connection with the upcoming space shuttle mission of Sen. John Glenn (D-Ohio).Onyejekwe is involved in organizing the fair for the second year. She said there were three purposes for the Tech Expo.”The first purpose is to break away from the tyranny of space and time, then to economize time and effort required to access information in the space age,” Onyejekwe said. “The final reason is to extend reaches of the university, in teaching, research and service beyond our immediate geographic boundaries.Onyejekwe used Kirwan’s “appearance” as an example of what she meant by breaking away from the tyranny of space and time.Onyejekwe said the expo is a time for vendors to come and introduce new products. She said vendors must pay for their booths. “The vendors are providing vital services showing a range of new technology that people may be interested in,” Onyejekwe said.Santos Otero, an undecided freshman, said there was a lot of “good stuff” on display.”It blew my mind,” Otero said.Mike Warfe, a sophomore majoring in engineering, felt the students’ needs were over looked.”There were a lot of good vendors, but next year they might want to open it up to more products that students can relate to, not businesses,” Warfe said.