This week at Wake Forest

Civilization From Scratch

If civilization were to end tomorrow, what would you build your new world upon: history, religion, the humanities, the arts, science or business? Wake Forest students, faculty and others will cast votes for their picks Tuesday, Jan. 28, in Benson University Center’s third floor rotunda. G. Page West III, an associate professor at the Calloway School of Business and Accountancy, is ready for his five-minute shot at world-building. “If there’s a new civilization, somehow it needs to be organized,” West said. “What we teach in the business school is organization.” The so-called “Raft Debate” is part of Wake Forest’s “Discovery Series” — a monthly series of discussion and entertainment programs from 11 a.m. to noon.

Growing Up Brady

Gen-Xers who grew up watching “Brady Bunch” reruns will get to relive those moments on Saturday, Jan. 25. Barry Williams, better known as Greg Brady, will discuss TV’s grooviest family at 8 p.m. in Benson University Center’s Pugh Auditorium. Williams, the author of “Growing Up Brady,” can also be seen in his cameo appearance in the “Brady Bunch Movie,” to be shown following his talk.

Food Makers To Cash In On Oats

The Food and Drug Administration’s decision to allow Quaker Oats and other manufacturers of fiber-rich foods to label their products heart-healthy has many business analysts predicting a boon in sales. A health claim can make a big difference to a brand’s success, notes Sheri Bridges, an expert on brand marketing at the Calloway School of Business and Accountancy. Bridges said that during the last oat-bran craze, even makers of high-fat cookies and donuts noted their oat-bran content to cash in.

Bi-Partisan Politics Among Clinton’s First Tasks

President Clinton’s inaugural address called for an end to partisan politics. Keeping this promise will be among his biggest challenges, said Katy Harriger, an associate politics professor at Wake Forest. Clinton needs to move beyond rhetoric and take advantage of the public’s disdain for politics as usual, Harriger said, adding that Clinton’s proposed Medicare cuts may be a move in that direction. Clinton’s opinion rating has risen, but working with a Republican majority in the Senate, as well as continued ethical questions will remain a challenge, she said.

Categories: Events, Faculty, Media Advisory