Stories this week at Wake Forest

RESEARCHING A PIRATE SHIP FOCUS OF TALK

The investigation of a shipwreck believed to be Queen Anne’s Revenge, Blackbeard’s lost flagship, will be the focus of a talk by Mark Wilde-Ramsing at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 2 at the Museum of Anthropology. Wilde-Ramsing is an underwater archaeologist leading the research effort off the North Carolina coast. The talk is part of a special exhibit at the museum until Sept. 14. The traveling exhibit features recovered artifacts, Blackbeard facts and a video of research dives. For more information, call 336-758-5282. Contact the News Service to arrange an interview with Wilde-Ramsing.

DNA PIONEER TO SPEAK AT WAKE FOREST

James D. Watson, the Nobel Prize-winning scientist who discovered the structure of DNA, will deliver Wake Forest’s Opening Convocation address at 11 a.m. on Sept. 16 in Wait Chapel. Watson’s address is part of “Science & Technology: The Next Millennium,” a yearlong series of events and activities focusing on science and technology topics, such as cloning, computer security and the environment. News organizations interested in interviewing Watson should contact the News Service.

WAKE FOREST 28TH BEST NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

Wake Forest University ranks 28th among national universities in the new edition of U.S. News & World Report’s guide, “America’s Best Colleges.” The annual guide gives Wake Forest high marks for its small classes, low student-faculty ratio, high graduation and retention rates, financial resources and alumni giving. The 2000 edition of “America’s Best Colleges” ranked Wake Forest 28th among 228 national universities–147 public and 81 private. The guide describes national universities as offering “a full range of majors as well as master’s and doctoral degrees.

SHE’S DRESSED SOME OF THE GREATEST CHARACTERS OF ALL TIME

Mary Wayne-Thomas, an assistant professor of theatre, has researched, designed and created costumes for actors in productions ranging from “Macbeth” to “Carousel.” Her 20-year career with Wake Forest’s theatre department is now the subject of an exhibit at the Scales Fine Arts Gallery until Sept. 26. The exhibit highlights the design process from artist renderings and fabric swatches to the final costume. When Thomas isn’t designing costumes she focuses her creative energy on sets-also featured in the exhibit in the form of small models, sketches and photographs. Thomas’ history with the theatre dates back to her days in high school and a mother who designed community theatre costumes. To interview Wayne-Thomas, contact the News Service.

CALLOWAY STUDENTS NATION’S BEST ON CPA EXAM

Accounting students in the Wayne Calloway School of Business and Accountancy ranked first in the nation for passing all four parts of the CPA exam in one sitting. The rankings are based on CPA exams taken in 1998 and are the most recent results available from the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), which compiles all national scores and then announces the rankings. Wake Forest, which offers a five-year program to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting, was ranked among schools with advanced degrees. However, Wake Forest had the highest passing rate among schools in both the graduate and undergraduate category.

PARENTS CAN HELP THEIR CHILDREN SUCCEED IN SCHOOL

Parents can help their children be more successful in school, according to Christy Buchanan, an associate psychology professor who specializes in parent-child relationships. Buchanan’s suggestions include parents being model learners for their children. Parents can fill this role by showing an interest in learning new things, reading in front of their children, visiting museums and other such activities, she said. For a complete list of tips to help children succeed in school, contact the News Service to arrange an interview with Buchanan.

AVOIDING THE “FRESHMAN 15”

Away from home and an established routine, college freshmen often exercise less, go on late-night burger runs and snack as they study. “All these things can slowly add up,” said Gary Miller about the “Freshman 15,” a term for weight gain among college freshmen. Miller, an assistant professor of health and exercise science who specializes in nutrition, has several tips to avoid the extra weight and maintain a healthy diet: 1) Eat three, well-balanced meals; 2) Don’t skip meals-you’ll only overindulge later; 3) Choose healthier study snacks such as pretzels and yogurt instead of chips and dip; 4) Start a regular exercise routine with friends; 5) And, remember, eating late at night isn’t necessarily the problem, it’s the additional fat and calories. For more tips by Miller, call the News Service to arrange an interview.

Categories: Campus Life, Events, Research, Speakers, Student, University Announcement