WFU in the news: April 1-7, 2024

FEATURED NEWS

How going back to the SAT could set back college student diversity
By Joseph Soares | The Conversation
Earlier this year, a number of colleges announced they were going back to using the SAT and the ACT. Sociology professor Joseph Soares, an expert on higher education and proponent of test-optional admissions, answers a few questions about the rationale behind the colleges’ decision to require applicants to submit scores from standardized college admissions tests. – 4/01/2024

This article was picked up in news outlets nationwide.

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

NC universities get $1M NSF grant for CROPS project
Mirage News
As North Carolina’s top economic driver, agriculture is practiced in every corner of the state. But, most of the research and technological innovations that could benefit and grow the $103 billion industry are housed within companies and universities in more urban areas of the state. To address this gap in access, researchers at Wake Forest, along with nine other university, business, state agency, and research partners, have received a $1 million National Science Foundation (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines grant to develop a 42-county Agricultural Tech Innovation Corridor. – 4/02/2024

Bettors offer inside look at bookie linked to Shohei Ohtani: ‘The guy seemed to run a good shop’
By David Wharton, Nathan Fenno | Los Angeles Times
“People who have gambling problems typically chase their losses,” said Koleman Strumpf, a Wake Forest University economist who has studied illicit bookmaking. “If you’re a problem bettor, the hole you can dig with a bookie is much bigger.” – 4/05/2024

The United States needs to get troops out of Niger
By William Walldorf | The Hill
“All military operations eventually run their course. Niger has reached that point for the United States. Time to draw down forces. The Biden administration won’t regret it. They’ll have the Nigerien junta and its decision to kick us out this month to thank for that,” writes politics and international affairs professor William Walldorf Jr., a visiting fellow at Defense Priorities. – 4/02/2024

This week on The Academic Minute
American Association of Colleges and Universities
Eranda Jayawickreme, Harold W. Tribble professor of psychology, uses some brainpower to find how you can become a good thinker. He is the project leader for the Clarifying the Virtue Profile of the Excellent Thinker Project, with support from the John Templeton Foundation. – 4/07/2024

Nex Benedict’s suicide coincides with a wave of anti-LGBTQ+ laws
By Marie-Amélie George | The Conversation
“In 2024 alone, various state legislatures have introduced almost 500 such bills, many of which target LGBTQ+ youth in schools. Some of these bills restrict which restrooms transgender students can use and which sports teams they can join. Data shows LGBTQ+ youth who live in a community accepting of LGBTQ+ identity report significantly lower rates of suicide attempts,” writes law professor Marie-Amelie George. – 4/03/2024

This article was picked up in news outlets nationwide.

Enviva bankruptcy fallout ripples through biomass industry, U.S. and EU
By Justin Catanoso | South Africa Today
“In March, Enviva, the world’s largest woody biomass producer for industrial energy, declared bankruptcy. That cataclysmic collapse triggered a rush of political and economic maneuvering in the U.S. (a key wood pellet producing nation), and in Europe (a primary industrial biomass energy user in converted coal plants),” writes journalism professor Justin Catanoso. – 4/04/2024

60th Venice Biennale Collateral Event: All African People’s Consulate
Art Africa
This project is organized by Open Society Foundations and The Africa Center, with support from Cristin Tierney Gallery, Wake Forest University, and Art Events. It is curated by Director of Hanes Gallery Paul Bright. The Consulate opens on the Grand Canal at Castello Gallery with previews on April 17, 18 and 19. – 4/04/2024

Fire and rain affect how zebras, wildebeest and gazelles migrate
By T. Michael Anderson | Discover Magazine
“In our new research in the journal Science, we report that the large herds sweeping across the grasslands of Tanzania in synchronized migration waves overlap in patterns that can be influenced by fire and rain. Our findings may help conservationists manage migratory herbivore populations, especially as they face future threats due to human-induced climate change,” writes biology professor T. Michael Anderson. – 4/06/2024

How North African railway is on track to helping China de-risk its iron ore supply
By Jevans Nyabiage | South China Morning Post
In the middle of the Sahara Desert, Chinese workers have been braving the intense Algerian heat as they build a 575km (357-mile) rail line connecting one of the world’s largest iron ore mines to the national rail network. It will also give China access to another source of iron ore, something it desperately wants, said politics and international affairs professor Lina Benabdallah. – 4/07/2024

REGIONAL & TRADE

The Paisley 7: How WFU athletes brought new life to a middle school literacy program
By Alan Brown | EducationNC
The Paisley 7 are now a part of our program’s shared history. The middle school students they mentored will look back and remember them fondly even if they never meet again. It is that way with our best teachers and coaches — when they show how much they care, their impact can be immeasurable. Every student in every school in every city should be so lucky. As should every university,” writes education professor Alan Brown in this opinion piece. – 4/03/2024

For Krispy Kreme, partnership with McDonald’s is the stuff of sweet dreams
By Richard Craver | Greensboro News & Record
Gaining McDonald’s vote of confidence means Krispy Kreme likely “met or exceeded the going-in objectives for both companies,” said marketing professor Roger Beahm. “Because Krispy Kreme already has reasonable awareness and a favorable attitude among consumers throughout the country, this new distribution channel should translate into added growth for the brand in the months ahead. – 4/01/2024

LOCAL

Sidewalk improvements coming to Polo Road near Wake Forest University
By Wes Young, Wesley Young | Winston-Salem Journal
Improvements planned for Polo Road include a sidewalk on the north side near Wake Forest University and a raised median to prevent some left turns in an area heavily used by pedestrians, Winston-Salem officials said. The work will include milling and repaving Polo Road as well as upgrades to pedestrian and traffic signals, signage and storm drainage. Improvements for biking will be marked. “We are excited the city is moving forward with plans to make significant improvements along Polo Road,” said Chris Kiwus, vice president for facilities, real estate and planning. The project will enhance pedestrian safety and benefit the entire Polo Road community.” – 4/05/2024

Wake Forest students decorate desks for children
By Keri Brown | Wake Forest News
A Wake Forest University practice field will soon be transformed into an outdoor art studio to create personalized study spaces for kids. It’s part of an education initiative called Developing Education through Student Knowledge or DESK. – 4/04/2024