Stories this week at Wake Forest University

STUDENTS DISCUSS BLACK WOMEN’S ROLE IN SOCIETY— Several Wake Forest students will gather tonight at 7:30 to share personal stories, perceptions and concerns about the history and future of black women. The discussion, “Delta Deep Talk,” is hosted by Delta Sigma Theta sorority in recognition of Black History Month. It will be held in the Poteat Residence Hall Lounge. Following the discussion, each student will light a candle in honor of a black woman who has influenced their life. The event will end on the steps of Wait Chapel. Approximately 30 students are expected to participate in the discussion. To arrange an interview with one of the students, contact Sarah Smith at manselss@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.

‘THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES’ COMES TO WINSTON-SALEM — More than 50 students, faculty and staff members from Wake Forest and Salem College will perform “The Vagina Monologues” to a sold-out crowd on Feb. 7-8 as part of the international V-Day 2002 College Campaign. About 800 colleges and universities participate in the campaign, which raises money for nonprofit groups that work to end violence against women. “It’s a very emotional performance whether you’re laughing or crying,” said Lilly Massa, a Wake Forest senior who is co-producing the show. The Battered Women’s Shelter of Winston-Salem and the domestic violence hotline sponsored by Family Services of the Triad will receive proceeds from the local performance. Tickets are still available for the Feb. 14 and 15 shows. To arrange an interview with cast members and the event organizers, contact Vanessa Willis at willisv@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.

‘DEAD-MAN WALKING’ AUTHOR TO SPEAK AT WFU— Sister Helen Prejean, a Roman Catholic nun who wrote “Dead Man Walking,” will present “Dead Man Walking—The Journey,” Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. in Benson University Center’s Pugh Auditorium. “I have found for 15 years that the American public is ready to talk about the death penalty,” she said in a recent PBS interview. “They’ve needed somebody to take them there.” Sister Prejean has accompanied five men to their death by execution. Susan Sarandon won an Academy Award for her portrayal of Sister Prejean in the movie version of the book. To arrange an interview with Sister Prejean, contact Sarah Smith at manselss@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237 in advance of her Feb. 12 lecture.

MEDIA Q&A WITH DORIS KEARNS GOODWIN— Following her convocation address on Feb. 21, presidential historian and journalist Doris Kearns Goodwin will meet with the media for a brief press conference at approximately 12 p.m. The convocation ceremony begins at 11 a.m. Broadcast media are also invited to tape the first 10-15 minutes of her convocation speech. To arrange coverage of the ceremony and reserve a spot at the press conference, contact Sarah Smith at manselss@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.

THE GOOD LIFE: HOW HOLLYWOOD, MEDIA CHANGED SKIING IN AMERICA — With the 2002 Winter Olympics just around the corner, skiing expert Margaret Supplee Smith is available to talk about the history of the sport in America, and its place in popular culture. Smith, chair of the art department at Wake Forest, is writing a book about the architecture of ski resorts. Her research has taken her to nine states to study ski history from the 1930s until today. She recently presented “The Image of Skiing in American Popular Culture” at the U.S. Ski History Congress in Utah. Part of the presentation focused on how a 1937 photo spread in Life magazine and James Bond movies like “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” and “The Spy Who Loved Me” changed skiing from a rustic, middle class sport into a destination resort activity. To arrange an interview with Smith, contact Vanessa Willis at willisv@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.

UNDERSTANDING LOVE, FROM AN ANCIENT PERSPECTIVE— At the beginning of his course “Love in the Bible and Other Ancient Texts,” Wake Forest Professor Fred L. Horton Jr. asked his class of 15 students to define love. Since then, the students have studied it in texts ranging from ancient Egyptian poetry to books of the Bible. “I’m thinking back to things I did in relationships and considering what I would do differently now that I’ve thought about all these different characteristics,” said a sophomore in the class. The students will have a special party on Valentines Day, Feb. 14. To arrange an interview with Horton or the students, contact Vanessa Willis at willisv@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.

Categories: Arts & Culture, Community, Events, Student