"Faces of Courage" 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

Williams named to OPCD post

Matt WilliamsThe Office of Personal and Career Development named J. Matthew Williams the associate director for marketing and communications, starting Sept. 16. Williams will oversee strategy and operations for the OPCD’s marketing and communications team, which impacts all undergraduate, Graduate School of Arts & Sciences and Divinity School students.

In addition to managing all communications to the OPCD’s many constituent groups, Williams will lead the OPCD’s initiatives in student tracking and outcomes, social media, LinkedIn alumni and industry networks, and special projects/events.

Williams previously served as the assistant director of the office of diversity and inclusion, where he led the Faces of Courage programming in 2011-2012. He also was instrumental in implementing faculty and staff recruitment and retention initiatives, while also strengthening faculty, staff, and student intercultural communication competence as a trained diversity educator.

Williams’ prior work as a marketing and communications professional includes positions with Ketchum Public Relations and Widmeyer Communications, where he developed communication programs to help nonprofits, government agencies, and Fortune 500 companies advance civic and social issues. His work has been nationally recognized by the Public Relations Society of America and the Texas Public Relations Association, as well as at other industry events.

Categories: Staff News

Special discount for Spirit Walk bricks ends June 30

The “Pave the Way” program will end on June 30, 2013. The program enables students and student organizations to support diversity and inclusion initiatives on campus through purchase of a custom-engraved bricks for placement on the Spirit Walk at a discounted rate.

Proceeds from the purchase benefit the Faces of Courage Fund, which is dedicated to resourcing initiatives and programs that develop the cultural competence of our students. Administrative departments and others have also joined the effort to help fund enhancements to the campus cultural climate.

The Wake Forest Spirit Walk is an iconic piece of the campus community. Located among the ZSR Library, Tribble Hall and Benson University Center, the walkway houses bricks dedicated to the legacy of alumni, student organizations and friends of Wake Forest. To purchase a brick or learn more about the special initiative, you can visit go.wfu.edu/spiritwalk.

Williams to speak on ‘Faces of Courage’ at SAC meeting

Matt WilliamsWake Forest’s Faces of Courage celebration will be the topic of a presentation Nov. 27 at a meeting of the Staff Advisory Council.

The meeting will be held from 9:30-11 a.m. in Benson University Center, Room 401 C/D.  It is open to all University staff.

Matthew Williams, an assistant director in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, will make a presentation on the year-long celebration intended to commemorate the 50th year of integration at Wake Forest. The year, which features numerous events and activities, is devoted to honoring the legacy and actions of all those people past and present who have contributed to diversity at the University.

In his presentation, Williams will show a video titled “Impetus to Desegregate,” which relates to the Wake Forest experience of Ed Reynolds, Wake Forest’s first black graduate.

Provost Rogan Kersh will speak on Jan. 22, same time and location. Hof Milam, senior vice president for finance and administration, will participate in the presentation.

Categories: EventsStaff News

Archives