"American Studies" Archive

WFDD and Office of Diversity and Inclusion win national award

From left: Matt Williams, David Matthews, Tom Dollenmayer and Barbee Oakes.

From left: Matt Williams, David Matthews, Tom Dollenmayer and Barbee Oakes.

WFDD general manager Tom Dollenmayer recently presented a plaque to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in recognition of the first place journalism award the station received for the piece it produced as part of Wake Forest’s Faces of Courage series.

WFDD and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion worked in collaboration to record, produce, and broadcast the stories of the pioneers of Wake Forest’s integration in 1962. One piece, a commentary from David Matthews (’62), was recognized during the Public Radio News Directors Incorporated (PRNDI) national award competition and received first place in the documentary category.

Campus Celebration

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion invites faculty and staff to celebrate the first 30 days of a yearlong, campus-wide “Dignity and Respect Campaign” on Wednesday, Nov. 6, from 3:30-4:45 in Brendle Recital Hall. The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature remarks from:

  • Maya Angelou, Reynolds Professor of American Studies, renowned poet and Civil Rights activist;
  • Ed Wilson, Provost Emeritus, retired professor of English and literary scholar; and
  • Johnnetta Cole, director of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African Art, former president of Spelman College and Bennett College for Women, and humanitarian.

Matthews’s commentary can be heard at WFDD’s website:  http://wfdd.org/post/breaking-family-tradition. In it, Matthews describes how history classes about British colonialism and Africa shattered his long-held prejudices about African Americans.

“We were thrilled when Matt Williams from the Office of Diversity and Inclusion approached us about working with him on the Faces of Courage project,” Dollenmayer said. ” To have that collaboration result in a first place national journalism award is an honor for both departments, and for Wake Forest University.”

Categories: Staff News

Angelou, Wilson & Cole to celebrate dignity & respect Nov. 6

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion invites faculty and staff to celebrate the first 30 days of a yearlong, campus-wide “Dignity and Respect Campaign” on Wednesday, Nov. 6, from 3:30-4:45 in Brendle Recital Hall.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature remarks from:

  • Maya Angelou, Reynolds Professor of American Studies, renowned poet and Civil Rights activist;
  • Ed Wilson, Provost Emeritus, retired professor of English and literary scholar; and
  • Johnnetta Cole, director of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African Art, former president of Spelman College and Bennett College for Women, and humanitarian.

Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. No registration is necessary.

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion launched the campaign on Oct. 7 to unite the campus under the core belief that everyone deserves dignity and respect (find out more and take the pledge). Originally established by the Center for Inclusion at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, the national movement promotes inclusion through behavioral and organizational change.

“Dr. Angelou is famous for saying, ‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ Indeed, the relationships students form with each other, faculty, and staff are at the heart of our culture here at Wake Forest,” said Dr. Barbee Oakes, assistant provost for Diversity and Inclusion.

“With the diversification of our student body over the last several years, we have dedicated great attention to cultivating a greater appreciation of how diverse constituencies enrich our community. The primary goal of the ‘Dignity and Respect Campaign’ is to embed the message ‘You Belong Here’ into the very fabric of our campus.”

Faculty and staff are welcome to encourage students, family and friends to attend.

Categories: Events

'Lay My Burden Down' conference examines the meaning of freedom

Paul EscottTo commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem State University and Old Salem, in conjunction with the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, are hosting a conference called “Lay My Burden Down” on Oct. 17-18. At the conference, experts and non-experts alike will explore issues of freedom.

Wake Forest’s Reynolds Professor of History Paul D. Escott, who is a conference organizer and Civil War expert, said that the conference will bring together several of the most renowned historians who have written about slavery and emancipation. “We are extremely fortunate to have both celebrated senior scholars, such as Ira Berlin and Thavolia Glymph, and outstanding younger historians, such as Heather Williams, Susan O’Donovan and David Cecelski. They will share new information and perspectives to this critical period in our nation’s history.”

Among the many scheduled events, Maya Angelou — Reynolds Professor of American Studies, poet, author and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011 — will present a Poem for the Occasion and three Wake Forest senior history majors will give presentations. Tours of St. Philips Heritage Center, the oldest standing African-American church in North Carolina are also being offered.

A complete schedule of events is on the “Lay My Burden Down” website.

Categories: Events

Angelou receives Medal of Freedom

Maya AngelouReynolds Professor of American Studies Maya Angelou received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama at the White House on Tuesday.

Angelou, a world-renowned poet, author, actress and civil rights activist, joined the Wake Forest faculty in 1982. She was honored along with former President George H.W. Bush, businessman Warren Buffett, artist Jasper Johns and 11 others. The Medal of Freedom is the country’s highest civilian honor.

The recipients “reveal the best of who we are and who we aspire to be,” Obama said during the East Room ceremony.

Angelou, seated between Buffet and environmental activist John H. Adams, listened as Obama described her life’s journey. Obama bent down and kissed her on the cheek as he presented her medal. Read more

Categories: Faculty News

Angelou is among Presidential Medal of Freedom winners

Maya Angelou, Reynolds Professor of American Studies, is among the 2010 winners of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. President Barack Obama will present the awards early next year. Read more.

Categories: Faculty News

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