Stories this week at Wake Forest

Follow the Flight of the Albatross

Each morning, several thousand students and teachers across the United States are following the flight of albatrosses in the North Pacific waters off Hawaii. The Albatross Project, which began Jan. 25, was designed by Wake Forest University biologist David Anderson to identify ways to protect the birds from long-line fishing and answer evolutionary questions about their flights. Using tiny transmitters, Anderson and his team are tracking two species of albatross through satellites that relay the birds’ latest locations each morning. Wake Forest distributes the results to classrooms (several in the Triad area) and individuals subscribing to the project’s listserve. Several local schools are participating and B-roll opportunities are available. Call the News Bureau for more information or click here to read the story online.

Spinning Toward Heaven

With one palm upturned toward the heavens to receive the divine blessing and the other turned down to give it, they whirl around and around, the hems of their garmets spinning as they turn. The Sema Ceremony of the Whirling Dervishes of Turkey will be held at 9 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, in Brendle Recital Hall. This meditation in movement is performed by six whirlers accompanied on traditional instruments including Ney (reed flute), Tanbur (long-necked lute) and Bandir (frame drum). For more information, contact the News Bureau.

Faith in Focus: the Media and Religion

From Waco’s inferno to the recent White House sex scandal, the media constantly seeks to measure Americans’ attitude about matters of faith and morality. At 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 7, three award-winning journalists will join moderator Scott Libin from the Poynter Institute for Media Studies in a town hall-style discussion on media coverage of religion. The program, to be held in 111 Carswell Hall, features: Bob Abernethy, former NBC News reporter; Sharon Green, senior cultural affairs editor for National Public Radio; and Cecile Holmes, editor of the award-winning religion section of the Houston Chronicle. The interactive format will include video, audio and print examples of stories on religion topics to generate discussion. The public is invited. The event is part of Wake Forest’s 1997-98 Year of Religion in American Life. Click here to read a story online about the program.

Categories: Arts & Culture, Campus Life, Events