WFU in the news: Feb. 14-20

FEATURED NEWS

Wake Forest’s premier art collection gets a new name and lots of love
By Kim McGrath | news.wfu.edu
The Wake Forest Student Union Collection of Contemporary Art is getting a new name and, with a generous gift, a lot of love as well. John and Libby Reece have endowed a conservation fund to care for, steward and rename the Student Union Collection of Contemporary Art as the Mark H. Reece Collection of Student-Acquired Contemporary Art in honor of John Reece’s father – the founder of the collection. – 2/14/2022

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

Shakeup of college presidents continues, and women are rising to the top
By Chris Burt | University Business Magazine
After 187 years of men leading its institution, Wake Forest University turned to an accomplished woman, Dr. Susan Wente, to serve as president. “Dr. Wente’s experience allows her to see a university through multiple lenses,” Wake Forest law professor Wilson Parker said. “She carries a deep appreciation for the liberal arts, dedication to professional studies, and above all, experience creating opportunities for faculty and students.” – 2/16/2022

WFU creates new scholarship for law students of color in honor of alumna Cheslie Kryst
By Gabi Stevenson | Yahoo News
Wake Forest University announced that it has named an annual scholarship in honor of Cheslie Kryst to be awarded to a law student of color. – 2/21/2022

Here’s when the old adage ‘opposites attract’ is *not* true
By Natalia Lusinkski | The Zoe Report
We’ve all heard the term “opposites attract” and probably know couples where that’s definitely the case. But when do opposites not attract? From little things (like your partner is a morning person and you’re not) to bigger things (like having different religious beliefs), some differences can be more challenging than others. “Yet couples who learn to work with, and appreciate, each other’s differences will likely find themselves developing skills and traits that benefit them,” said Nathaniel N. Ivers, associate professor and chair of Wake Forest’s counseling department. – 2/15/2022

The philosophy of honesty
Free Thoughts
Everyone values honesty, but figuring out just what it entails can be difficult. Philosophy professor Christian Miller discusses what it means to be honest and which features of our environment can push us towards dishonesty. – 2/18/2022

REGIONAL & TRADE

Wake Forest received almost $125 million in NIH funding in 2021
By Daniel P. Finnegan | Triad Business Journal
Wake Forest University received almost $125 million in funding from the National Institute of Health in 2021, helping North Carolina place fourth among all states in NIH funding. – 2/17/2022

Paul McCartney to bring ‘Got Back’ tour to Wake Forest University
By Kathy Hanrahan | WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)
Iconic singer Paul McCartney will be bringing his 13-city “Got Back” tour to Truist Field at Wake Forest University this spring. It is the only North Carolina date announced for the tour. – 2/18/2022

Online MBAs growing
By Anne Wooten Green | Triad Business Journal
Wake Forest has benefited from launching a fully online MBA program prior to the changes forced by Covid, according to Norma Montague, senior associate dean of academic programs at the School of Business. “We launched an online MBA program prior to Covid because of the increasing demand among working professionals for flexibility in modes of learning,” Montague said. – 2/17/2022

How 5 health systems are spending their innovation investment dollars
By Katie Adams | Becker’s Hospital Review
Charlotte, N.C.-based Atrium Health revealed new details about its $1.5 billion innovation district that will surround its future medical school, the Wake Forest University School of Medicine Charlotte. The district is expected to create about 5,500 on-site jobs and $415 million in earnings. – 2/17/2022

LOCAL

Willie Mae Grace, who helped a generation of Black students at Wake Forest, dies at 96.
By Scott Sexton | Winston-Salem Journal
In her 26 years at the university, Willie Mae became more than a friendly face to undergraduates away from home for the first time. That was especially true to Black Wake Forest students. She became a confidant, an advocate and a kind voice eager to help new students navigate a strange new community. – 2/19/2022

WFU launches African American studies program
By Sasha Strong | Spectrum News Charlotte
Wake Forest University recently launched its first African American studies program. The courses invite students to explore new concepts and learn more about the achievements of African Americans throughout history. – 2/17/2022

Ban of Pulitzer Prize-winning book about Holocaust ‘is how fascism begins’
By Michael Hennessey | WGHP-TV (High Point, NC)
“One of the very first acts of the Nazis when they got into power was they banned books,” said Barry Trachtenberg, Rubin presidential chair of Jewish History at Wake Forest. “I think that’s just terribly dangerous, and the truth is this is how fascism begins. It doesn’t begin from the top down where a leader just goes in and makes sweeping changes in society. It happens in these small, insidious ways.” – 2/17/2022

Guy Johnson, the son of Maya Angelou, has died in Oakland, Calif. at the age of 77
By John Hinton | Winston-Salem Journal
“We are saddened by the loss of Maya Angelou’s son, Guy Johnson, and send our sincere condolences to his family. Mr. Johnson was a good friend to Wake Forest and recently worked with the University to establish the Maya Angelou Artist-in-Residence Award to honor his mother’s legacy, celebrate exceptional artists and inspire future generations of Wake Forest students,” said Wake Forest University. – 2/17/2022

WAKE FOREST NEWS

Though virtual, the annual MLK Read-In Day for children being held Saturday
By Laurie Willis | news.wfu.edu
Read-In Day celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while promoting the importance of reading. – 2/16/2022