Stories this week at WFU

PROFESSOR, STUDENTS HELP LOCAL RESIDENTS FILE TAXES
Millions of dollars in income tax credits go unclaimed by Forsyth County residents each year, but that will change if Yvonne Hinson has anything to do with it. Hinson, PricewaterhouseCoopers Faculty Fellow and associate professor of accountancy, is leading Wake Forest’s effort to make sure local residents take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) when they file their 2003 tax returns. The Wake Forest assistance site, which will be staffed by Hinson and her accounting students, will open Feb. 3 at 4 p.m. at the Goodwill Industries building at 2701 University Parkway. Last year, the Wake Forest group assisted around 1,700 residents and returned between $30,000 and $40,000 in tax credits to local people. Media are invited to the opening.
Contact: Sarah Mansell, manselss@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.

SOUTHERN POLITICS EXPERT SAYS EDWARDS FACES BIG TEST FEB. 3
Jack Fleer, professor emeritus of political science at Wake Forest and author of the book “North Carolina Politics,” is available to comment on U.S. Sen. John Edwards’ presidential run. Fleer has been a keen observer of North Carolina politics for more than 30 years, and he has followed Edwards’ career since 1998 when he won the U.S. Senate seat during his first run for office. “His second place finish in Iowa still keeps him in the game, but I do believe his New Hampshire finish puts greater pressure on his winning in South Carolina, and it probably means he needs to win big there.” In addition to a big win in South Carolina, Edwards needs a win in one of the other six states with primaries Feb. 3, Fleer said. “Edwards has worked Oklahoma very hard, and it is a more conservative state,” Fleer said. “He has certainly placed himself as a moderate in this race, so that might help in a state like Oklahoma.”
Contact: Jacob McConnico, mcconnjn@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.

WHAT WE WANT FROM SUPER BOWL ADS
“We’re looking for something that gets us talking around the water cooler on Monday morning,” says Associate Professor of Business Sheri Bridges of Sunday’s highly anticipated Super Bowl advertisements. “Budweiser and Bud Light have achieved this consistently over the years.” Bridges, an expert on branding and advertising, is available for comment on Sunday’s commercial contest.
Contact: Sarah Mansell, manselss@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.

INGRAM’S FILM WINS BEST DOCUMENTARY
“Monster Road,” a documentary directed by Brett Ingram, was named best documentary at the Slamdance Film Festival in Utah Jan. 24. Ingram, a lecturer in Wake Forest’s communication department, was an instrumental element in the development of the university’s film studies minor. He is teaching a documentary class this spring and is directing a university documentary on Wake Forest’s theme year, “Fostering Dialogue.”
Contact: Sarah Mansell, manselss@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.

NOT JUST WHAT YOU EAT, BUT HOW MUCH
When choosing your Super Bowl snacks this weekend, consider how much you are eating, not just what you are eating, says Wake Forest nutrition expert Gary Miller. “Studies have shown the increase in sizes of most restaurant portions, and this has influenced our serving sizes at home,” Miller says. “Food is so inexpensive for us in the United States, that adding more to the plate adds minimal cost to the producer, yet increases their profit.” Miller is available for stories relating to health and diet.
Contact: Sarah Mansell, manselss@wfu.edu or 336-758-4393.

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