A service of the University of South Carolina Office of Media Relations. For information on faculty availability, contact the Office of Media Relations, 803-777-5400.

A distinguished professor emeritus, Maris will address the House Committee for Veterans Affairs at the hearing, “Truth about Veterans’ Suicide.” Maris says causes of veteran suicide have both common and unique factors compared to the general population in the United States. Depression, alcohol abuse, having a firearm, isolation, marital disruption and trained aggression are more prevalent among veterans and are contributing factors to suicide.

Maris says suicide among veterans is an epidemic, with rates having increased from 7 percent of military deaths in 2002 to 68 percent in 2005. Maris calls for better military death reporting practices, mental health screening and improved healthcare practices for veterans.

Maris is available to talk with media by phone after the hearing.

To arrange an interview with Maris, call Peggy Binette or Margaret Lamb in the university’s Office of Media Relations at 803-777-5400.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that five of the nation’s top nine jobs through 2016 are in computing – network systems and data communications analyst; computer software engineers, applications; computer systems analyst; database administrators; and computer software engineers, systems.

Dr. Duncan Buell, chairman of the department of computer science and engineering at the university’s College of Engineering and Computing, said people with degrees in computing should have no difficulty finding a job. In fact, there are three jobs for every person with a bachelor’s degree in computing. He can discuss the job market and computing careers.

To arrange interviews, call Karen Petit at 803-777-5400.