WFU in the news: Sept. 11-17, 2023

FEATURED NEWS

With a new formula, U.S. News rankings boost some state universities
By Alan Blinder | The New York Times
U.S. News & World Report released on Monday the results of what it said was the most substantive overhaul of its 40-year-old college rankings empire. President Wente joined the University of Chicago and Tulane, among others, in commenting on the changes to ranking methodology. “Wake Forest has never made decisions or determined university strategy based on chasing rankings such as those from U.S. News,” said Susan R. Wente. “We do not intend to start now.” – 9/18/2023

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

Corey D. B. Walker appointed Dean of the School of Divinity at Wake Forest
By Arrman Kyaw | Diverse: Issues In Higher Education
Dr. Corey D. B. Walker has become dean of the Wake Forest University School of Divinity, effective immediately. Walker, a scholar of religion, Wake Forest Professor of the Humanities, and ordained American Baptist clergyperson, has been the school’s interim dean since January. His scholarly focus is on African American religion, philosophy, history and culture. During his time at Wake Forest, Walker also founded its African American studies program. – 9/08/2023

This announcement was also covered in the Winston-Salem Journal.

Harvard’s morgue scandal is part of ‘a much larger story’ in trading human remains
By Shira Stoll, Ryan Kath | WBTS-TV (Boston, MA)
“It’s not a black market, it’s sort of a grey market,” law professor Tanya Marsh explains of the human remains trade. Marsh teaches a course on funeral and cemetery law and is author of the book, “The Law of Human Remains.” “In 42 states it’s completely legal to sell human remains in brick-and-mortar stores,” she said. “There is no federal law specifically stating that selling human remains is illegal.” – 9/14/2023

Budget proposal could include new limits on suing North Carolina employees
By Lucille Sherman | Axios
“There’s no doubt in my mind that folks who are injured by the negligence of a public employee get a raw deal here,” David Pishko, a trial lawyer and professor at Wake Forest University Law who teaches a course called Suing Government. “We’re giving some benefit to the wrongdoer.” – 9/13/2023

Kids have already ‘normalized’ gender roles by preschool
By Denise Mann | HealthDay News
Families should include children in household tasks, added psychology professor Deborah Best. “Girls can take out the trash, and boys can wash dishes,” said Best. “Parents should include kids in the discussion of household tasks, and both parents should participate in all tasks, providing role models for the kids.” – 9/12/2023

North Carolina school will offer Early Admissions for first-generation students
Voice of America (VOA)
Many selective universities in the U.S. offer “early action,” which can boost a student’s chances of getting in if they apply early. These programs have been criticized, since underprivileged students are often unfamiliar with the deadlines and unable to get their applications in on time. Now, Wake Forest University plans to only offer the option to students who are the first members of their families to attend college. – 9/14/2023

Unlocking the power of faith communities to combat HIV/AIDS in the South
Black Enterprise
“The Black Church is one of the most important autonomous institutions that Black people have,” said School of Divinity scholar, researcher and administrator Shonda Jones. “It is an institution that is owned and cared for by Black people for Black people, and its connection to our communities and social advocacy cannot be overlooked—it is a matter of life and death.” Jones is Principal Investigator of Gilead’s COMPASS Initiative Faith Coordinating Center and a member of its HIV and Faith Advisory Board. – 9/14/2023

Chile’s coup: 50 years on, Lessons on democracy learned
Mirage News
Fifty years ago, on September 11, 1973, a violent coup ended one of the longest-standing democracies in Latin America – the presidency of Chile’s popularly elected socialist president Salvador Allende. Politics and international affairs professor Peter Siavelis, an expert in electoral, legislative and presidential politics in Chile, answers questions about the complicated role the U.S. played in the coup and why democracy should not be taken for granted. – 9/11/2023

REGIONAL & TRADE

Wake Forest Trustee Don Flow, CEO of Flow Automotive, awarded North Carolina’s top honor
Triad Business Journal
The CEO of one of the largest automotive dealerships in the Triad and one of Winston-Salem’s civic leaders has received North Carolina’s highest honor. Wake Forest Trustee Don Flow, chairman and CEO of Flow Automotive in Winston-Salem, received The Order of the Long Leaf Pine award at a ceremony at Greater Winston-Salem’s annual meeting. The award has been given by N.C. governors since 1963 to “persons who have made significant contributions to the state and their communities through their exemplary service and exceptional accomplishments.” – 9/13/2023

Latino votes drop in N.C.: Why it happened and why some Latinos are voting Republican
By Grace Vitaglione | Carolina Public Press
Spanish-language misinformation often spreads across popular sites used by Latinos like WhatsApp, politics and international affairs professor Betina Cutaia Wilkinson said in an interview last year with Wake Forest News. “Many Latinos rely on social media or messages from peers to learn about elections instead of more reliable sources.” – 9/14/2023

LOCAL

VP Harris to visit NC A&T State University today to continue her ‘Fight for Our Freedoms’ tour
By Holly Hodges | WXII-TV (Winston Salem, NC)
“It’s important for the Democratic National Party to invest in North Carolina, not just with an eye toward mobilizing voters for the presidential tickets,” said politics professor John Dinan. “There’s also a critical gubernatorial race and other races going on.” – 9/15/2023

WAKE FOREST NEWS

Strengthening the next generation of Peruvian Amazonian Leaders
By Keri Brown | Wake Forest News
Young leaders from seven Indigenous nations in the Peruvian Amazon will head back home with a new vision and resources to tackle pressing environmental and social issues in their communities. During their visit to Wake Forest University this month, the Indigenous leader delegation spent several days on campus meeting with students, staff and faculty, sharing their stories and exchanging ideas with local indigenous leaders. The program is called Connecting Cultures. – 9/13/2023

New hope for treating cardiovascular diseases
By Alicia Roberts and Cheryl Walker | Wake Forest News
In a significant step toward developing new treatments to mend blood vessels damaged by heart attacks and strokes, and even from chronic diseases like diabetes and obesity, scientists at Wake Forest University have discovered how to amplify the effects of an important signaling molecule in the blood. That molecule, nitric oxide, regulates blood flow and the activation of platelets, which form clots. – 9/14/2023

Face to Face to host presidential historians Goodwin and Beschloss
By Kim McGrath | Wake Forest News
Political historians Doris Kearns Goodwin and Michael Beschloss will join the Face to Face Speaker Forum for an evening of conversation with American journalist E.J. Dionne on Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 7:30 p.m. in Wait Chapel. Doris Kearns Goodwin is a world-renowned presidential historian, public speaker and Pulitzer Prize-winning, New York Times #1 bestselling author. – 9/14/2023