Stories This Week at WFU

U.N. SPEECH MAKES CASE FOR MORE WEAPONS INSPECTIONS — Evidence submitted by Colin Powell to the United Nations Wednesday made a strong case that Iraq is attempting to conceal weapons from inspectors, but the information did not make a case for war, says Jonathan Marks, a visiting professor in the political science department at Wake Forest. “What is clear is it is impossible for someone watching to come to grips with the weight of the evidence,” Marks said. “That’s why the U.N. weapons inspectors need to be allowed to continue their job. This information can be integrated into the inspections.” Marks, who teaches an innovative new class at Wake Forest called “Terrorism and the Law,” is a practicing English barrister and international law expert. He says that under international law there are only two conditions that allow a country to go to war – an act of self-defense, or express written consent from the United Nations. To arrange an interview with Marks, contact Jacob McConnico at mcconnjn@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.

WFU PROGRAM ‘MENDS BROKEN HEARTS’ — A group of professors at Wake Forest will be thinking a lot about hearts next week, and not just because of Valentine’s Day. They work with Wake Forest’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, the first such program in North Carolina and one of the first in the nation, now in its 28th year. Participants in the program will celebrate Cardiac Rehabilitation Week Feb. 10 – 15 as part of American Heart Month. According to the CDC, an estimated 1.1 million Americans will have a first or recurrent heart attack this year, and approximately 700,000 will die of heart disease. Wake Forest’s program has helped thousands of local residents who have survived heart attacks, heart surgery or other heart problems. The group is now using a new exercise and evaluation facility near Groves Stadium that provides more options for treating patients. The program’s director, Peter Brubaker, is available for interviews about the program and general heart health. Photographers are welcome to shoot footage of patients working out during their exercise therapy sessions held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. To arrange coverage, contact Sarah Mansell at manselss@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.

INTERNATIONAL A CAPPELA COMPETITION AT WFU — The International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella South Quarterfinals will be in Wait Chapel Feb. 8 at 8 p.m. A cappella groups from Wake Forest, Florida State University, the University of Florida, Clemson University and the University of Georgia will compete. Members of the groups will be available for interviews prior to the competition. Broadcast media are welcome to record the performances. To arrange an interview or coverage of the event, contact the News Service at 336-758-5237.

WHO CONTROLS THE POWER? — “Community Control of Public Utilities,” a free, public symposium, will be held at Wake Forest Feb. 7 from 3-5 p.m. in Room 1308 at the Worrell Professional Center. “Hotly contested legal and political battles have erupted from California to Florida between communities seeking cheaper, more reliable electric sources and the entrenched power companies defending their monopoly control over communities,” says Tom Roberts, law professor at Wake Forest and co-organizer of the event. Tom Cloud, an attorney who has worked with several Florida cities to help them take back control of local electric utilities, will be the primary speaker. To arrange coverage, contact the News Service at 336-758-5237.

OPRAH’S FIRST ‘PHENOMENAL MAN’ TO SPEAK AT WFU — Ron Clark, Oprah Magazine’s first “Phenomenal Man,” will speak at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 in Brendle Recital Hall. A fifth-grade teacher at Harlem’s Public School 83 and the 2000 Disney American Teacher of the Year, Clark will talk about “Teaching through Adversity—Facing Challenges and Making a Difference.” The event is free and open to the public. Featured on “Oprah” and invited three times to the White House, Clark has gained national recognition for his innovative teaching. ABC is turning his life story into a Sunday Night Movie of the Week. Clark’s new book, “The Essential 55,” will be published in May. To arrange an interview with Clark or coverage of his talk, contact Cheryl Walker at walkercv@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.

ANCIENT ROCKS TEACH MODERN CHILDREN — Wake Forest’s Museum of Anthropology will host an after-school program Feb. 10 at 4:15 p.m. for children grades 1 – 5. “Rocks that Speak” will explore ancient rock art and cave drawings, featuring Kokopelli — a well-known figure in Southwestern rock art. The children will participate in a learning activity and a craft. Visual opportunities will be available. To arrange coverage, contact the News Service at 336-758-5237.

ARE THOSE PILLS REALLY HELPING EASE YOUR KNEE PAIN? — They have become widely popular among people seeking relief from knee pain, but Wake Forest Professor of Health and Exercise Science Steve Messier says no one knows for sure if glucosamine/chondroitin supplements like Flex-A-Min and others really work. He hopes to find an answer with GATES, a new study that will analyze the effects of glucosamine and chondroitin paired with exercise in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. Messier, an expert on biomechanics and osteoarthritis, is available for interviews about treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee and his new research. Participants are still being accepted for the study. To arrange an interview, contact Sarah Mansell at manselss@wfu.edu or 336-758-5237.

ART-O-MAT AUTOMATIC HIT AT WAKE FOREST — Winston-Salem’s newest Art-O-Mat is in Wake Forest’s Benson University Center. The Art-O-Mat concept was developed by Winston-Salem artist Clark Whittington. Demand among students for original art dispensed from a circa 1960 cigarette vending machine seems to be great. Since last week, some of the most colorful paintings have sold out. For more information, contact James Buckley, director of Benson University Center, at 336-758-4853.

Categories: Arts & Culture, Community, Events