Stories this week at WFU

WAKE FOREST DIVINITY SCHOOL PLANS OPENING CONVOCATION — The Wake Forest University Divinity School officially starts its sixth academic year at 11 a.m. Aug. 31 in Wait Chapel with an opening convocation address from university President Thomas K. Hearn Jr. This is the first time Hearn has delivered the address during the Divinity School’s opening convocation. The free, public event marks a new year for the Divinity School and its 96 students. The school, which opened in 1999 and graduated its first class in 2002, will welcome 32 first-year students this year. The new students come to Wake Forest from 13 states and represent nine religious denominations. Hearn is entering his last academic year as president of Wake Forest. He has announced he will retire in June 2005.

Contact: Jacob McConnico, mcconnjn@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.

 

‘ANGELS IN AMERICA’ AUTHOR TO GIVE SEPT. 9 LECTURE — Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner will give a free, public lecture at 7 p.m. Sept. 9 in Wait Chapel. The event will be followed by a book signing at the College Bookstore, near the chapel. Kushner, an openly gay, Jewish socialist, is the author of several critically acclaimed plays, including “A Bright Room Called Day,” “Slavs,” “Homebody/Kabul,” and the seven-hour, two-part epic “Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes.” Although the lecture is free and open to the public, Kushner will not do any interviews during his visit. The lecture cannot be recorded.

Contact: Jacob McConnico, mcconnjn@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.

 

COOL VIBES AND A NEW KIND OF JAZZ COME TO WFU — Stefon Harris, award-winning vibraphonist and composer, and his jazz quintet Blackout will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sept 9 in Brendle Recital Hall in Scales Fine Arts Center for the first concert in the 2004-2005 Wake Forest’s Secrest Artists Series. Harris, who plays both marimba and vibraphone — sometimes simultaneously — composes and performs a unique version of jazz funk that is taking the jazz world by storm. Harris and Blackout, featured on Harris’ latest disc release, “Evolution,” have performed to sold-out crowds at The Kennedy Center and North Sea Jazz Festival. Tickets are $16, general admission; $12 non-Wake Forest Students and senior citizens. To order tickets before Labor Day, call 336-758-5757. After Labor Day, visit the Theatre Box Office or call 336-758-5295 between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays.

Contact: Pam Barrett, barretpm@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.

 

WFU CARDIAC REHABILITATION PROGRAM EXPANDS — The Wake Forest University Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, associated with the health and exercise science department on the university’s Reynolda Campus for the past 29 years, has reorganized. The program on the Reynolda Campus will continue its focus on long-term exercise maintenance for cardiac patients, but the program will also expand to provide exercise and lifestyle programs for those living with other chronic diseases and conditions such as pulmonary disease, diabetes and obesity. To reflect the new mission of the program, the name will change to the Healthy Exercise and Lifestyle ProgramS (HELPS). “Our revised program will offer a medically directed, professionally supervised exercise program for people with a variety of chronic diseases in need of a structured exercise program,” said Peter Brubaker, associate profess or of health and exercise science. Patients who are in the early stage of cardiac rehabilitation will now go to the J. Paul Sticht Center on Aging and Rehabilitation at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

Contact: Cheryl Walker, walkercv@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.

 

EXHIBIT POKES FUN AT ART ESTABLISHMENT — Wake Forest’s Charlotte and Philip Hanes Art Gallery will celebrate the opening of two exhibits, “Inside the Ropes” by Ted Potter, former director of SECCA, and “Monumental Micros,” at 7 p.m. Sept. 10. The exhibit will run through Oct. 10. Potter’s large-scale paintings, which are based on friends with whom he has worked for the past 40 years, give a humorous inside look at members of the art establishment. “Monumental Micros” is a joint exhibition of small-scale sculptures by members of the Philadelphia Sculptors and Sculptors Inc. of Baltimore. Made from diverse materials, many of the works are no larger than a box of safety matches. Admission is free. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and 1-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Contact: Pam Barrett, barretpm@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.

 

TALKING WITH TEENS: TIPS FOR PARENTS — When parents try to start a conversation with their teen-agers, they often get one-word answers, says Christy Buchanan, associate professor of psychology at Wake Forest University. Although talking with adolescents can sometimes be tough, Buchanan offers suggestions for ways to improve communication. “Direct questions are sometimes not as effective,” says Buchanan, who has written numerous articles on parent/adolescent relationships. “Kids are not always ready to talk in response to a question.” Conflict between parents and children during the adolescent years is connected with negative behavior, so good communication is worth the effort, Buchanan says. She stresses the importance of overcoming awkwardness about addressing difficult subjects, so adolescents feel okay about bringing up those topics.

Contact: Cheryl Walker, walkercv@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.

Categories: Arts & Culture, Events, School of Divinity, School of Medicine, Speakers