Stories this week at WFU

PATCH ADAMS CLOWNS AROUND FOR BENEFIT EVENT AT WAKE FOREST
Dr. Hunter (Patch) Adams, the physician and clown made famous by Robin Williams’ portrayal of him in the hit movie “Patch Adams,” will present “The Joy of Caring,” a benefit lecture on love and service at Wake Forest’s Wait Chapel Feb. 29 at 7 p.m. The benefit, organized by Wake Forest junior Julie Koch to raise money for Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity and Adams’ Gesundheit Institute, will include a slide show of the Missionaries of Charity’s work in India, Adams’ lecture and a video presentation of Adams’ clowning work in Afghanistan. Tickets are $12 and available at the Benson University Center Ticket Office. All proceeds will benefit the two charities. No still photography, audio or videotaping is permitted during the event. Koch is available for interviews.
Contact: Wake Forest News Service, 336-758-5237.

WHAT WILL SUPER TUESDAY BRING FOR EDWARDS?
Jack Fleer, professor emeritus of political science, is available for analysis of John Edwards’ presidential run and for comment on the outcome of Super Tuesday, March 2. Fleer is the author of “North Carolina Politics” and has followed Edwards since he ran for Senate in 1998. Allan Louden, associate professor of communication, can discuss candidates’ performance in the two Democratic debates and how their performance will affect Super Tuesday’s outcome. Louden was the debate adviser for one of the U.S. Senate candidates in North Carolina in 2002, and he is teaching political communication this semester.
Contact: Jacob McConnico, mcconnjn@wfu.edu; or Sarah Mansell, manselss@wfu.edu.

‘AWAY’ MESSAGES PART OF COLLEGE LIFE
College students today maintain “buddy lists” on their instant-messenger systems that reach triple digits, and reading what friends are saying while they are away from their computer screens (away messages) has become an obsession. Two Wake Forest students have created software called BuddyGopher that simplifies the process. They say it shows just how popular away messages are. “Away messages are the most common online extension of your campus social life,” says Nick Gray, a senior from Atlanta. “They’re not just messages about what you’re doing anymore; people post their favorite quotes, their personal philosophy and daily problems.” More than 7,000 are signed up for the free service.
Contact: Sarah Mansell, manselss@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.

TRIBLE LECTURES CELEBRATE WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
The annual Phyllis Trible Lecture Series at Wake Forest brings four prominent lecturers in the field of feminist theology to Wait Chapel for a program March 2-3 focused on the topic “The Children of Hagar and Sarah: Feminist Perspectives in Judaism, Christianity and Islam.” The event, which is offered as part of the university’s celebration of March as Women’s History Month, is open to the public. The lectures are named in honor of Phyllis Trible, University Professor of Biblical Studies at the Wake Forest Divinity School, who became one of the school’s first faculty members before its opening in 1999. Members of the media will have an opportunity to talk with the featured speakers. A full story on the event is on the News Service Web site.
Contact: Jacob McConnico, mcconnjn@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.

PORTION SIZE OR INGREDIENTS FOR HEALTHY EATING?
Associate Professor of Health and Exercise Science Gary Miller is available for interviews for stories about health and nutrition in connection to National Nutrition Month (March). Miller is an expert in nutrition and teaches “Nutrition in Health and Disease,” among other courses.
Contact: Sarah Mansell, manselss@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.

Categories: Campus Life, Events, Speakers