WFU in the news: Aug. 26-Sept. 1, 2024

FEATURED NEWS

Do you have a case of the ‘September Scaries?’
By Elizabeth Angell | The New York Times
Many of us currently find ourselves in the grips of the “September Scaries.” Those familiar with the concept of the Sunday Scaries will recognize this feeling. You could try “microdosing” a few September tasks this week, said psychology professor Christian Waugh, who studies positive coping mechanisms. Slow transitions are always easier than rapid ones. He also recommended ditching the “good-bad dichotomy” of summer fun versus September obligation. If, for example, you have to shop for back-to-school supplies, don’t frame that trip as the official (and sad) end of summer. Instead, plan to buy notebooks in the morning and go to the pool in the afternoon. – 8/29/2024

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

America must free itself from the tyranny of the penny
By Caity Weaver | The New York Times Magazine
When economics professor Robert Whaples published an article in 2006 about the imperative to eliminate America’s 1-cent coin, he received a personal note: “Get it done, and you will deserve the Nobel Prize!” The note was from Paul Volcker, the former chairman of the Federal Reserve in which capacity he technically oversaw the annual ordering of billions of pennies from the Mint for distribution among the American populace. – 9/01/2024

Did Trump’s campaign break the law at Arlington National Cemetery?
By Aaron Blake | The Washington Post
There are strict federal laws about what can and can’t be done at Arlington National Cemetery, according to law professor Tanya Marsh, who specializes in cemetery law. “One of the very specific prohibitions in the code of federal regulations is that memorial services and ceremonies at cemeteries like Arlington will not include partisan political activities,” said Marsh. “That’s not a prohibition that a family has the right to just give permission to for a political figure to ignore.” – 8/28/2024

Sri Lanka’s potential political realignment
By Neil DeVotta | South Asian Voices
“Sri Lanka is scheduled for its next presidential election between September and October 2024. Its previous presidential poll in November 2019 saw Gotabaya Rajapaksa easily elected,” writes politics professor Neil DeVotta. “Yet massive anti-government protests related to inflation and scarcity forced President Rajapaksa to flee the country in July 2022. This was after Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa — his brother who was president from 2005 to 2015 — had fled two months before.” – 9/02/2024

Six Black professionals appointed to new roles in higher education
The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education
Mary Muchane has been named the inaugural assistant provost for faculty development at Wake Forest University. She has an extensive background in faculty support, including her current role as the assistant dean for research development and director of sponsored programs at Davidson College in North Carolina. – 8/30/2024

Organists’ Review
Organists Review Magazine
A new British recording of music professor Dan Locklair’s choral music on the Convivium label was released internationally in May. Two of England’s most prestigious magazines, BBC Music Magazine and Choir & Organ had excellent reviews in their August issues. One of the pieces mentioned, “The Texture of Creation,” was commissioned for Former Wake Forest University President Tom Hearn’s Inauguration and premiered at that event. – 8/01/2024

REGIONAL & TRADE

Wake Forest University honored for community service
Minuteman Press
Wake Forest University has been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for this year. This recognition is given to schools that engage their staff, faculty and students in achieving results that can be measured in the community. – 9/02/2024

This NC region is a hub for fast-growing tech and science startups
Triad Business Journal
Wake Forest Innovation Quarter is fertile ground for life sciences and other tech-oriented start-ups. The more than 240-acre complex grew from the University’s need for additional health sciences research space. – 9/01/2024

LOCAL

Wake Forest University cuts the ribbon on its new child care and early education center
By Cambridge Wrege, Kellina Djanfa Wanteu, Sarah Leonhardt | WS Today
Wake Forest is supporting Winston-Salem’s littlest learners with a new educational endeavor. Construction on KinderCare at Wake Forest University is complete. The employer-sponsored child care and early educational center is located at 1100 Reynolds Blvd., adjacent to the University’s Reynolda campus. It will provide infant through pre-K care to children aged six weeks to five years old. – 8/29/2024

WGHP-TV (High Point, NC) also covered this story.

Home sales, prices may play key voter role in 2024 election
By Richard Craver | Winston-Salem Journal
Do voters feel that the governor or state legislature is responsible for the health of the economy, or do voters hold the president and the president’s party accountable? Dinan asked. “When political scientists prepare models that forecast the outcome of presidential elections, perhaps the leading factor that is included in nearly every forecasting model is the health of the economy, and this can be expected that this will be a key factor in voting for president in 2024.” – 9/01/2024

WAKE FOREST NEWS

KinderCare at WFU prepares to open its doors
By Cheryl V. Walker | Wake Forest News
Wake Forest University celebrated a milestone in its commitment to supporting faculty, staff and students with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house for the soon-to-open child care and early education facility at the University Corporate Center. – 8/28/2024