Inside WFU – news for faculty and staff

Secrest Artists Series with Rachel Podger has been canceled

March 25, 2023

©Theresa-Pewal

The Secrest Artists Series with violinist Rachel Podger scheduled for March 29 and 30 as well as the masterclass with Wake Forest music students scheduled for March 28 have been canceled.

“I am heartsore to have to miss performing my beloved solo Bach for you next week in Brendle Recital Hall,” said Podger. “I felt hugely honored to have been asked to play in such a beautiful hall, had been keenly anticipating the prospect of its acoustic and was looking forward to coaching and engaging with Wake Forest’s exceptional students. I’m sorry not to be with you as planned, but hope to see you very soon.”

“We are very sorry to share this news,” said Hayden Barnes, manager of the Secrest Artists Series. “For all those who planned to attend the event, we appreciate your support and your patience as we work to reschedule this opportunity for our community and for our faculty, staff and students to engage with Ms. Podger for a later date.”

Faculty proposals funded

March 23, 2023

Congratulations to the following Wake Forest faculty and staff members who have had proposals funded.

Patricia Clayton, associate professor of engineering, whose proposal “Empowering Engineering Scholar-Activists through Community-driven Research Experience” has been funded by the National Science Foundation and the University of Texas at Austin.

Sarah Esstman, associate professor of biology, whose proposal “Rotavirus Genome Replication and Virion Assembly” has been funded by the National Institutes of Health.

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Secrest Artists Series presents Rachel Podger, March 29

March 23, 2023

©Theresa-Pewal

Secrest Artists Series presents violinist Rachel Podger on Wednesday, March 29 and Friday, March 31 at 7:30 p.m. in Brendle Recital Hall.

Podger has established herself as a leading interpreter of Baroque and Classical music. Her appearance at Wake Forest University will be a two-concert set of the complete Bach Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin.

In addition to the concerts, Podger will conduct a masterclass with Wake Forest music students in Brendle Recital Hall on Tuesday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

Wake Forest University and medical school faculty, staff and retirees receive free admission for themselves and one guest to each Secrest Artists Series performance. Register here.

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TechX 2023 coming March 28-30

March 23, 2023

Wake Forest University’s Information Systems 2023 Virtual TechX Conference will be held March 28-30.

Learn how our campus community has creatively incorporated technology and collaborative initiatives into the classroom, workplace and other spaces to deliver an enriched learning experience, foster relationships and engage constituents.

Register for individual live sessions and see a full lineup of the presentations on the TechX 2023 website. Registration is free.

Faculty, staff and students will be able to join live sessions and interact with pre-recorded sessions beginning March 28.

Memorial Service for retired history professor Howell Smith

March 22, 2023

A service for retired Wake Forest University history professor Howell Smith, who died in January, will be held Saturday, March 25 at 2 p.m. in Wait Chapel.

During his 47 years teaching — from 1965 to 2012 — Smith taught courses on American history and the University’s first courses in African American history, helped establish the Asian Studies major and championed symposia on the war in Vietnam, social change and other contentious topics in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

He was history department chair from 1987-1995 and also served as the pre-law advisor for many years.

Here’s a look back at his career.