Stories this week at Wake Forest

INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL AT WFU

World cultures will be the focus of an International Festival Series on campus this week. All events are free and open to the public. Events during the week will include a foreign film series, a concert of Latin salsa music and African dance workshops. The celebration concludes on April 1 with an international festival from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Benson University Center. The festival will feature music by a Caribbean steel drum band and a mariachi band; performances of traditional dances from Africa, Ireland, China, India and Native America; samples of food from around the world; and demonstrations of acupuncture, Tai Chi, the art of mendhi, Japanese origami, and various Chinese arts, such as painting and calligraphy. The celebration is sponsored by the Center for International Studies, the Dean of the College, the Benson University Center, the Student Union, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, and Career Services.

WFU PREPARING FOR VISIT TO BIRTHPLACE

Wake Forest alumni and students are preparing for a three-day visit to the town of Wake Forest, carrying into the 21st century a tradition of making pilgrimages to the historic campus where the university was founded in 1834 and remained until 1956. The celebration of the university’s heritage will be held March 31-April 2. Most of those attending the event will be alumni who completed their studies on the university’s original campus, which is now occupied by a Baptist seminary unaffiliated with the university. Students are expected to travel to the “old campus” by bus on Sunday morning, April 2. The buses will leave Wake Forest’s Winston-Salem campus and arrive at the “old campus” in time for a church service, a luncheon and tours.

COMMENTARY ON GAS PRICES

Jonathan Duchac, an associate professor with the Wayne Calloway School of Business and Accountancy, can offer insight into the factors affecting gas prices. Duchac’s research focus includes the oil and gas industry and accounting and financial issues. To interview Duchac, contact the News Service at 336-758-5237.

ASK THE AZALEA EXPERT

Wake Forest biology professor Kathleen Kron is a nationally known expert on azaleas, particularly native azaleas. One of the native species, the Piedmont azalea, blooms in this area in mid-April. Kron created an identification key for native species that was printed in the Azalean magazine and she fields azalea/rhododendron questions from across the country. In November, she co-authored an article identifying a new species of native azalea found in South Carolina. To arrange an interview, call the News Service.

ALGEBRA IN THE REAL WORLD

Teenagers may groan over learning algebra and complain they will never use it in the real world, but education professor Leah McCoy says algebra is at work in everything from business to sports. McCoy can rattle off dozens of examples of how algebra is used in the real world. For example, algebra is used to calculate an insurance company’s actuarial tables, make economic predictions, determine how to maximize business profits, and predict fish populations. Algebra is even used in determining how music tracks are burned into compact discs, she said. An example from the sports world traces back to Babe Ruth. After some calculations, Yankee Stadium’s left field was shortened so the slugger could hit more homeruns. “That’s algebra,” she said. To talk with McCoy, contact the News Service at 336-758-5237.

WFU BEGINS DEFIBRILLATOR TRAINING PROGRAM

Wake Forest is one of the first organizations in North Carolina to implement the American Heart Association’s Public Access to Debfribrillation program, or PAD. Through the program, Wake Forest is training key staff members and students to use automated external defibrillator (AED) machines, which are designed so non-medical personnel with only a few hours of training can operate. Wake Forest will have six AED machines placed on campus. The small, portable machines will be in several University Police squad cars, the Student Health Service and with other groups undergoing the training. For interviews about the training initiative contact the News Service, 336-758-5237.