This is a link to that item you were talking about.
Upham was a name of a building on the campus and the basjoos were planted in the garden along with some palms.
The plants are said to be Balbisiana X Basjoo cross.
The plants which I have seen that were said to be in that study have the same growth characteristics as a regular plant.
These plants do exist but they do not seem any bigger then others I have seen locally.
This might be due to siting and growing conditions.
Cincinnati.Com: Home Style - You, too, can grow palms, magnolias