This week at Wake Forest

African-American Journalist/Author to Speak

Brent Staples, author of the critically-acclaimed autobiography, “Parallel Time: Growing Up in Black and White,” will speak at Wake Forest at 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, in Brendle Recital Hall. Staples’s book chronicles his ascent from the mean streets of the urban ghetto to the executive offices of The New York Times. Currently, he is an editorial writer for The New York Times. He has also been assistant metropolitan editor and editor of The New York Times Book Review.

Spirituality and Volunteerism Connected

To explore the link between volunteerism and spirituality, Wake Forest will host a conference Friday and Saturday, April 11-12, in Benson University Center, Room 401. Organized by Wake Forest students, faculty and campus ministers, the “Spirituality and Volunteerism” conference will feature guest speakers, panel discussions, breakout groups and exhibits by area service organizations. The event is open to the public.

Students to Host Carnival for Special Olympics Kids

Kids competing in the Special Olympics at Wake Forest Tuesday, April 15, can also have their faces painted or dunk someone in a dunking booth at a carnival sponsored by the university’s Volunteer Service Corps. Five hundred children are expected to attend. The Special Olympics will be held at the campus track stadium. The carnival will be set up in the field across the street from the Worrell Professional Center from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Journalists to Discuss the Press and Foreign Policy

Two prominent journalists–one American, one Palestinian–will speak at Wake Forest Thursday, April 17, in Scales Fine Arts Center, Room 102. At 7:30 p.m., reporters Sandy Tolan and Lamis Andoni will address “Today’s Media: What Voice in Foreign Policy?” Tolan is a frequent contributor to National Public Radio. Andoni is a reporter for Al Rai, the largest Arab daily in Jordan and Al Ahram, Egypt’s largest newspaper. The two are married. The program is part of Wake Forest’s Great Decisions lecture series in International Studies and is co-sponsored by the university’s international studies department and the journalism program.

Meteorology Professor to Give Guest Lecture

Craig Bohren, author of “Clouds in a Glass of Beer,” will present a public program at 8 p.m. Thursday, April 17, in Olin Physical Laboratory, Room 101. In “All That’s Best of Dark and Light,” Bohren will explain why clouds, snow and other weather phenomenon appear to vary in brightness.

Angels in Our Midst

Popular culture’s fascination with angels and whether these entities exist will be the focus of “Do You Believe in Angels,” a Tuesday, April 15 panel discussion from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Benson University Center’s third floor rotunda at Wake Forest. Panel members will include Rev. Stewart Ellis with the university’s Presbyterian ministries; Andrew Ettin, an English professor; and Greensboro author Belinda Womack, who has written about angels. The public discussion is part of the Benson Center’s Discovery Series.

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