Stories this week at Wake Forest

MILESTONE FOR TECHNOLOGY

This year’s graduating class will hold a unique place in Wake Forest’s history as the first class to benefit fully from a major technology initiative, which put a laptop in the hands of every student. “The graduation this month marks a milestone in one of the most comprehensive university technology programs anywhere,” said Jay Dominick, assistant vice president for information systems. “The university has moved to being the leader in the area of ubiquitous computing.” Wake Forest was recently ranked the 19th most wired university by Yahoo! Internet Life magazine. To interview Dominick or others related to the technology plan, call the News Service.

COMFORT WITH TECHNOLOGY HELPFUL IN JOB MARKET

A liberal arts education and a comfort with technology have been a selling point for Wake Forest students, according to Bill Currin, director of career services. “If you marry the liberal arts background to the ability to utilize technology, it’s very hard to beat in the marketplace.” Currin said a comfort with using computers and learning new programs are qualities recruiters are seeking, even for jobs that are fundamentally non-technological. Technology has also streamlined the job search. Submitting resumes and arranging for interviews can all happen on-line, which makes the process easier for students and recruiters.

THE JOB MARKET IS HOT

“It’s just a feeding frenzy of talent,” said Bill Currin, director of career services. The current job market has resulted in more recruiting during the fall rather than spring, he added. Currin estimated that now 85 percent of recruiting happens in the fall rather than the spring. Several years ago, the reverse was true. “The market is just so hot now the rationale is get there early and commit students.”

COMMENCEMENT LIVE ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB

Wake Forest and Cisco Systems are teaming up to provide a live broadcast of commencement over the Internet. The real-time video feed will go from Wake Forest to Cisco Systems for distribution over the Internet. Visit the Wake Forest homepage at www.wfu.edu for the link.

STUDENT STORIES FOR COMMENCEMENT

Joe Barker, a graduating biology major with a 4.0 GPA, has worked in the hospitals of Lima, Peru, assisted with a muscle research project at Wake Forest and studied healing practices in Nepal. Barker’s classmate, Sheereen Miller, was the student member of Wake Forest’s board of trustees and a communication major. After graduation, Miller will head to New York to work as an associate publicist for Time magazine. Barker and Miller will be among the approximately 1,400 undergraduate and graduate students receiving diplomas during this year’s commencement. For an interview with Barker, Miller or other graduating students, contact the News Service.

INFORMATION ON-LINE

Visit the News Service Web site at www.wfu.edu/wfunews for commencement details. The Web site features stories about John Chambers and this year’s honorary degree recipients, as well as downloadable, print quality photos. Web site coverage of commencement will include Chamber’s full text, sound clips and additional photographs.