Stories this week at WFU
‘THE U.S. AND GLOBAL POVERTY’ — Critics have argued that high debt owed by poor countries to rich countries has widened the gap between these countries and that the United States is not doing enough to help the economic recovery effort in poor countries. Sylvain Boko, associate professor of economics, will discuss what can be done to narrow the global poverty gap during his lecture “The U.S. and Global Poverty” at 7 p.m. April 21 in Scales Fine Arts Center, Room A102. The talk is free and open to the public. This is the sixth and final lecture in Winston Salem’s Great Decisions 2005, a six-week citizens forum on current foreign policy issues. The series is sponsored by Wake Forest’s Center for International Studies.
Contact: Jacob McConnico, mcconnjn@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.
WFU STUDENT CONNECTS VOLUNTEERS WITH HISPANIC COMMUNITY — To connect Wake Forest students who speak Spanish with organizations in Winston-Salem that need them, Wake Forest senior Jessie Lee Smith started Aprender y Enseñar. In English, it means “to learn and to teach.” The student-led service organization places Wake Forest students with local agencies that work with the Hispanic community. Using a Web site (www.wfu.edu/student-organizations/aprender), the students are matched with agencies based on their interests, Spanish-speaking ability and schedule. In addition to providing much-needed volunteers, the program also helps Wake Forest students practice Spanish and better understand Hispanic culture and issues. “Our agency strives to serve as the ‘one-stop’ volunteer agency where students of all majors, Spanish levels and backgrounds can come and find a community organization that needs their help,” Smith said. The network now includes 15-20 partner volunteer organizations in Winston-Salem that are working with Aprender y Enseñar. Among them are the AIDs Care Service, the Second Harvest Food Bank and Forest Park Elementary.
Contact: Cheryl Walker, walkercv@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.
DIGGS ELEMENTARY TOWER NEARING COMPLETION — Diggs Elementary School will soon have a colorful new landmark created by its students and teachers and Wake Forest faculty and students. Wake Forest students started erecting the tower earlier this month and will continue their work through the month of April. The completed tower will be unveiled at a May 6 dedication ceremony. The 25-foot steel structure will be covered with 500 ceramic tiles created by students from Diggs, a magnet school for the visual and performing arts. The art painted on the colorful tiles reflects lessons that students have learned in the classroom about social studies, reading, dance, music, ecology and geometry. Wake Forest students will work on the tower with Diggs students from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 22. David Finn, associate professor of art at Wake Forest, initiated the project in 2004 and worked with Wake Forest students to design the tower to place near the entryway of the school. Finn received funding support from Wake Forest’s Ethics and Leadership Fund.
Contact: Cheryl Walker, walkercv@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237; or Kristin Eckart, Kristin@paveways.com or 336-721-1021.
LEGENDARY GOLFER, WFU ALUMNUS TO DELIVER COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS — Arnold Palmer, one of the most beloved golf legends of all time and a Wake Forest University alumnus, will deliver the 163rd commencement address at Wake Forest at 9 a.m. May 16. Palmer will address approximately 1,450 Wake Forest graduates during the outdoor ceremony on the newly named Thomas K. Hearn Jr. Plaza (the Quad). The ceremony is not open to the public. The Wake Forest News Service will be distributing information regarding media arrangements for commencement soon. Parking passes and media credentials will be required for all members of the media. To ensure coverage of the event by your organization, contact Jacob McConnico at mcconnjn@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.
WHO ARE THE GRADUATES? — While the university is busy preparing for Arnold Palmer’s May 16 Wake Forest commencement address, the approximately 1,450 Wake Forest graduates who will hear Palmer’s speech are busy preparing for their next step in life. As commencement nears, the News Service can connect media with members of the graduating class who have inspiring or unusual stories. Among those students who will march during the ceremony: a student who started a project to connect Spanish-speaking classmates with local agencies in need of translators, a Rhodes Scholar, several Peace Corps volunteers and future military leaders.
Contact: Jacob McConnico, mcconnjn@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.
Categories: Community Impact, Happening at Wake
Media Contact
Wake Forest News
media@wfu.edu
336.758.5237
