WFU awards and recognitions briefs

Franco named director of Humanities Institute
Wake Forest Professor of English Dean J. Franco has been named director of the Wake Forest University Humanities Institute beginning Jan. 2017. The institute, which was established in 2010, supports humanities scholarship which draws on disciplines like philosophy, literature, religion, history and other fields to interpret the human experience, understand our world and engage the issues of our time. Franco joined Wake Forest in 2001. He directs the Jewish Studies minor, has recently served as associate chair of the English department and was the Scott Family Faculty Fellow from 2012-2014. He researches and publishes on race and literature.

WFU student awarded grand prize for photography
Wake Forest sophomore Maddie Arnel was invited to participate in the National Italian American Foundation’s (NIAF) annual gala in Washington, D.C. Her photos, “Speaking Hands: How Tradition Molds Modernity,” won the Grand Prize in the NIAF’s 2016 photo contest. The photo outscored 24 other finalists who were chosen from more than 100 submissions from all over the United States. Arnel worked on the project with Dr. Silvia Tiboni-Craft, assistant teaching professor of Italian.

WFU Employees of the Year announced
Betsy Chapman, director of parent giving, and Patty Kennedy, administrative assistant in the Department of Health and Exercise Science were recognized as Employees of the Year. They were nominated by faculty and staff for their contributions in the areas of innovation, integrity, accountability, inclusion and Pro Humanitate.

Chapman was honored for mentoring students and helping parents feel part of the Wake Forest experience. The Daily Deac blog she authors was cited throughout her award nomination as a highly effective way to connect parents with the campus community. Kennedy was recognized for embracing new ideas and serving as a positive role model for new staff members. Kennedy has also demonstrated community service through her work with the United Way and Arts Council.

Piscetelli, Williams receive Winston Under 40 Leadership awards
The Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce has named Michael Piscetelli, associate athletic director of development, and Matthew Williams, director of communication in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Winston Under 40 Leadership Award winners. They were among 20 who were presented the award.