Stories this week at Wake Forest

COLD WAR SUBJECT OF INTERNATIONAL DEBATE AT WAKE FOREST

The Wake Forest University debate team will host an international debate between delegations from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia at 4 p.m. today in Room 208 of Carswell Hall. Debaters will take opposing stands to the topic, “This House Believes the World was Safer During the Cold War.” Students from Riga Stradins University in Latvia, Tartu University in Estonia and Vytautas Magnus University in Lithuania will compete with three Wake Forest students. The Wake Forest debate team is currently ranked fifth in the nation among college debate teams.

STUDYING WOMEN’S HISTORY THROUGH THE ENVIRONMENT

In perfect timing for Women’s History Month, nine Wake Forest students are currently learning about the history of women environmentalists. They’re in Barbara Bennett’s new course, “Ecofeminism,” a class she developed for Wake Forest that highlights the interconnections between the Earth and women using literature as a guide. “Women have long been the pioneers in the environmental movement,” says Bennett, a visiting assistant professor of English. “That is due in part to the longstanding belief that women are closer to nature. Studying the writings of women environmentalists seems natural.” Students in her class have studied Margaret Murie, Rachel Carson and others, collaborated on group presentations and most recently took a field trip to the Rachel Carson Preserve near Beaufort to learn about the estuary and clean up the beach (pictured.) At noon on Tuesday, March 27, junior Amanda Myers will present her research on Amitra Devi, an environmentalist from India. To visit class on Tuesday or arrange an interview with Bennett, call the News Service.

MEDICAL ISSUES IN BLACK COMMUNITY DISCUSSED

The university’s Nia House, a themed residence for black women, is hosting a symposium about medical issues in the black community. The series began Wednesday evening and continues through Friday. Two local physicians will discuss prenatal care and gynecological issues for black women today from 6-8 p.m. On Friday, discussion topics will include depression and eating disorders at 3 p.m. At 4 p.m., Felecia Sheffield, psychological resident at the University of South Florida’s Psychological Services Center, will present “Ethical and Cultural Considerations in the Psychological Diagnosis of African-American Women and Children.” Each event will be held at the university’s Nia House, located at 1210 Polo Rd. For more information about the series, call Jeryl J. Prescott, associate dean of the College and advisor for the Nia House, at 336-758-5959.

SOUNDS OF THE EMERALD ISLE COME TO WAKE FOREST

Celtic violinist Eileen Ivers, a seven-time, all-Ireland fiddle champion, will perform tonight as part of Wake Forest’s Secrest Artists Series. Best known for her performances with the original “Riverdance,” Ivers will combine a wide range of traditional and contemporary Irish music in an 8 p.m. concert in Wait Chapel. Ivers has toured with the rock duo Darryl Hall and John Oates and has been a featured player with the Hothouse Flowers, Luka Bloom and Patti Smith. At 7 p.m., Ivers will rehearse with two young local dancers who will have a part in the performance. The rehearsal is open to the media. Contact the News Service to arrange coverage.

NIGERIAN WOOD CARVER TO GIVE DEMONSTRATION

Nigerian master woodcarver Lamidi Olonade Fakeye will give a demonstration at Wake Forest on Friday, March 23. The woodcarving demonstration will begin at 4 p.m. in Room 2 (the sculpture studio) of Scales Fine Arts Center. Fakeye carved the doors for the Africa Room at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and his work is on display at the Smithsonian and at many museums throughout the United States and Europe. The event is free and open to the public.