Stories this week at Wake Forest

STUDENTS ARRIVE EARLY TO VOLUNTEER

About 36 Wake Forest freshmen will arrive more than a week before classes to volunteer at community agencies and organizations, such as Amos Cottage, Samaritan Ministries and AIDS Care Service. The freshmen students and their mentors-upperclassmen-will volunteer on Aug. 15, 16 and 17 through SPARC (Students Promoting Action and Responsibility to the Community). “SPARC introduces students to their college community, as well as their extended community,” said Paige Wilbanks, assistant director of student development at Wake Forest. “It helps them see service is a responsibility to membership in a community.” For a complete schedule of SPARC activities, contact the News Service.

DIVINITY SCHOOL BEGINS CLASSES THIS FALL

After more than a decade of preparation, the Wake Forest Divinity School opens this fall to 24 full-time students from a variety of denominational traditions. The school offers a three-year program to earn a master of divinity degree. Classes start Aug. 25. The school’s curriculum will focus on biblical studies, church history, theology and ministry studies, such as pastoral care and preaching. Within three years, the program is expected to enroll about 110 students. The divinity school is Wake Forest’s first professional school to open since the Babcock Graduate School of Management was founded in 1969. The divinity school will formally celebrate its opening Oct. 12-13.

NEW DIVINITY SCHOOL WILL RESPOND TO CHANGING CHURCH

Wake Forest’s new divinity school will respond to challenges facing church and society in the 21st century, according to founding dean Bill J. Leonard. “This endeavor comes at a time when the church in America is experiencing transitions in its theological and organizational life,” Leonard said. “Divinity schools old and new must find ways to prepare ministers for the changing situation.” Leonard, a Baptist minister and a nationally known church historian, is available for interviews by calling 336-758-4315.

AVOIDING THE “FRESHMAN 15”

Away from home and an established routine, college freshmen often exercise less, go on late-night burger runs and snack as they study. “All these things can slowly add up,” said Gary Miller about the “Freshman 15,” a term for weight gain among college freshmen. Miller, an assistant professor of health and exercise science who specializes in nutrition, has several tips to avoid the extra weight and maintain a healthy diet: 1) Eat three, well-balanced meals; 2) Don’t skip meals-you’ll only overindulge later; 3) Choose healthier study snacks such as pretzels and yogurt instead of chips and dip; 4) Start a regular exercise routine with friends; 5) And, remember, eating late at night isn’t necessarily the problem, it’s the additional fat and calories. For more tips by Miller, call the News Service to arrange an interview.

COLLEGE IS A TIME FOR LEARNING FINANCIAL SELF-CONTROL

“As a nation, we are frequent users of credit cards, often building up debt,” said John Dunkelberg, a business professor from Wake Forest’s Calloway School of Business and Accountancy. But college-a time between living at home and true independence-is an ideal time to learn credit card responsibility. Dunkelberg, who specializes in finance, said students should get one credit card and only charge what they can completely pay off when the bill arrives. “Think of credit card purchases as cash purchases,” said Dunkelberg, adding students will learn to avoid spending temptations. Dunkelberg is available for comment by calling the News Service.