Stories this week at WFU

EXPERTS AVAILABLE TO ANALYZE STATE OF UNION ADDRESS – What issues will President Bush focus on during his second State of the Union address Jan. 28? Allan Louden, an expert in political communication, says he may use the airtime to signal the United States’ next move in the War on Terror. Louden, associate professor of communication, has analyzed presidential speeches and debates for several years and was Senator Elizabeth Dole’s debate coach during the recent North Carolina senate race. John Dinan, assistant professor of political science, says this year’s speech should be markedly different from last year’s speech because of the context in which it will be delivered. Louden and Dinan can provide insight on the State of the Union address and what issues President Bush chooses to discuss. Louden is available for interviews prior to the address. Dinan is available prior to the address, and on the evening of Jan. 28. To arrange an interview with Louden or Dinan, contact the News Service at 336-758-5237.

ECONOMICS PROFESSOR SAYS WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM NEEDS TO TURN PLANS INTO ACTION – Participants in this weekend’s World Economic Forum should focus their attention on the practical ways that economic growth and development can be spread around the world, says economic development expert Sylvain Boko. “Promoting good governance, democracy and economic reform provides a healthy framework, but access to industrial countries’ markets for developing countries’ goods will do more,” he says. Boko, an assistant professor of economics, is the author of “Decentralization and Reform in Africa.” He says progress during the forum’s previous 32 years has been slow. “At the end of the day, elaborate expert analyses, promises of help and resolutions make little difference in the lives of the poor in Africa, Latin America and Asia.” Boko, a native of West Africa and a Knight of the National Order of Benin, leads a yearly Wake Forest study abroad trip to his homeland where students study African economic issues. The World Economic Forum is meeting through Jan. 28 in the town of Davos in the Swiss Alps. To talk with Boko about the Forum and his research, contact Sarah Mansell at manselss@wfu.edu or 336-758-523. Contact Boko directly at 336-759-2809.

STUDENTS SHARE VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCES – Forty-nine students and six faculty/staff members who traveled abroad on service trips during the winter break will share stories about working with orphaned children and comforting dying adults during a program Feb. 5 at 4:30 p.m. in Pugh Auditorium of the Benson University Center. Four student groups, accompanied by a faculty/staff advisor, traveled to Calcutta, India; the Agalta Valley in Honduras; Mexico City, Mexico; and the Can Tho Province of Vietnam to volunteer over their winter break. The groups returned recently and students are available for interviews. To arrange coverage or an interview, contact the News Service at 336-758-5237.

RING IN THE YEAR OF THE SHEEP – Wake Forest will celebrate the Chinese New Year Feb. 8 at 11:30 a.m. in the theatre lobby of the Scales Fine Arts Center. The festival will feature a lion dance troupe, a martial arts and Chinese yo-yo demonstration, and a traditional Chinese dance. Other activities include the tangram puzzle, puppet making, and Chinese brushwork. Cristina Yu, a university librarian, organizes the festival each year. She is available for interviews leading up to and following the festival. Visual opportunities are available, including participants in historical Chinese costume, a Beijing spear demonstration and local children participating in arts and crafts activities such as zodiac wheel making. This year’s new moon marks the end of the year of the horse and the beginning of the year of the sheep. This is the fourth year the university has celebrated the Chinese New Year. To arrange coverage, contact the News Service at 336-758-5237.