EASLEY’S LATEST LOTTERY PUSH DEPENDS ON ACTIVE SUPPORTERS – John Dinan, assistant professor of political science at Wake Forest, has tracked lottery legislation across the country, and he has closely followed the debate about a numbers game for North Carolina. He says that Gov. Mike Easley’s latest call for a state lottery during the March 3 State of the State address to the General Assembly could receive a boost from several newly elected state legislators, but it is still too early to tell. “The success of Governor Easley’s lottery proposal will depend in large part on whether lottery proponents are able to do a better job this year of mobilizing supporters in the general public.” Dinan says. “Last year, polls showed that a sizeable majority of residents supported the lottery, but the critics were much more active in opposing a lottery referendum.” To arrange an interview with Dinan, contact Jacob McConnico at mcconnjn@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.
STUDENTS ASK, ANSWER TOUGH HEALTH QUESTIONS – This month in Paul Ribisl’s first-year seminar class, 15 Wake Forest students will discuss eating disorders, date rape, alcohol and tobacco use. Earlier this semester they debated the risks and benefits of breast implants and estrogen replacement, and the role that stress plays in disease. “Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in Health and Society,” forces students to research various health issues and then defend one side of them. Ribisl, chairman of the health and exercise science department, says that often by the end of the class period, after hearing classmates’ arguments, many students change their stance. Ribisl has taught at Wake Forest since 1973 and also founded the university’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. To arrange an interview with Ribisl or coverage of the class during Health Awareness Month (March), contact Sarah Mansell at manselss@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237. The class will not meet this week because of spring break.
EXPERTS AVAILABLE TO COMMENT ON WAR-RELATED ISSUES – The News Service has prepared a list of university experts available to comment on stories related to a potential war in Iraq. Sources range from experts on international law to presidential communication. The list is available online through the News Service Web site. To request a copy of the list, contact the News Service.
IS IT LEGAL FOR THE U.S. TO GO TO WAR WITH IRAQ? – Jonathan Marks, a practicing English barrister and visiting scholar in the Wake Forest University School of Law, is leading a new class in the university’s political science department this semester that deals with legal responses to acts of terrorism. The course includes discussion about several highly-publicized acts of terrorism, but Marks and the students find themselves dealing more and more with the ongoing talk of a U.S. war in Iraq as a response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. “My goal in teaching this class is to help students understand the legal arguments for and against military or criminal action against any state that is believed to be sponsoring terrorism,” says Marks, an international law expert. “Because of the nature of the times we are living in, we find ourselves discussing daily the topics that are played out on the news.” To arrange an interview with Marks, contact Jacob McConnico at mcconnjn@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.
STUDENTS VOLUNTEER DURING SPRING BREAK – Two Wake Forest student groups will volunteer in Atlanta and New Orleans during spring break March 8 – March 16. Wake Forest students have been participating in such service trips, known as Wake Alternative Breaks, since 1995. Each trip is student-initiated and the cost per student is partially subsidized by the Wake Forest Volunteer Service Corps. Both groups will consist of 10 to 12 students volunteering in various ways with local agencies from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. each day. Student leaders who have participated in previous Wake Alternative Breaks plan the trips and daily activities. For more information or to arrange an interview with volunteers, contact the News Service.
PROFESSOR ELECTED PRESIDENT OF NATIONAL ASSOCIATION – Samuel T. Gladding, professor and director of Wake Forest’s counselor education program, has been elected president of the American Counseling Association. Gladding, who is also associate provost at Wake Forest, will serve as president-elect of the association during the 2003-2004 academic year and president during the 2004-2005 academic year. Founded in 1952, the American Counseling Association is the world’s largest counseling organization with a membership of more than 56,000 in the United States and 50 other countries. He is available for comment on counseling-related topics.
WAKE FOREST CELEBRATES ST. PATTY’S – Irish poetry, music, dance and storytelling will highlight Wake Forest’s Irish Festival March 15 – 20. The celebration begins at noon March 15 with the Irish Festival Community Day at Reynolda House, Museum of American Art (adjacent to the Wake Forest campus). It will feature traditional Irish music and dancing. The outdoor event will also include storytelling, poetry and hands-on crafts for children.
SPRING BREAK BEGINS MARCH 8 – Wake Forest students will be on spring break March 8 – March 16. The News Service will remain open during this time.
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