"Magnolia Scholars" Archive

$10 million gift to support first-generation Magnolia Scholars

A $10 million gift from an anonymous donor will enable first-generation students in Wake Forest University’s Magnolia Scholars program to substantially reduce their debt.

In doing so, this gift will enable Magnolia Scholars to experience college with fewer financial worries and consider opportunities they might not have otherwise.

Starting this fall, the endowed gift will provide an additional $4,000 annual award to each of the 120 scholars in this year’s program and for all Magnolia Scholars who follow in perpetuity. The funds will substantially reduce or eliminate the amount of the students’ need-based debt – which varies, based on family need – by supplementing other scholarships and grants these scholars may receive.

Read more at Wake Forest News

President Hatch receives Chief Executive HR Champion Award

nathan.hatch.300x175President Nathan Hatch has received the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR) 2015 Chief Executive HR Champion Award. Recognizing that what makes an institution great are its people, this award honors a president or chancellor of a higher education institution or system who has demonstrated significant support for the institution’s human resources function.

CUPA-HR selected Hatch as the recipient because of Wake Forest’s strategic investments in the areas of employee wellbeing, leadership development, diversity and inclusion and employee engagement. CUPA-HR recognized that, in his 10 years at the helm of Wake Forest, Hatch has prioritized the resources and support necessary for the University’s human resources team to put plans into action.

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Symposium focuses on first-generation students

ironwork.200x250“First Experiences: A Symposium on First-Generation College Students” will be held on Tuesday, April 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event, which is open to Wake Forest faculty and staff, will provide an opportunity to discuss best practices and opportunities to better serve first-generation students.

The program includes presentations on “Success for First-Generation College Students,” from Jennifer Engle, vice president for policy research at the Institute for Higher Education Policy; and on “Rewarding Strivers” by Richard Kahlenberg, senior fellow at the Century Foundation.

In addition, there will be a panel discussion featuring Cynthia Demetriou, director of retention at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Nathaniel “Nate” French, director of the Magnolia Scholars program at Wake Forest; and Esther Freeman, director for the Watson and Odyssey Scholars program at Elon University.

Registration (to cover lunch and program materials) is $10 for Wake Forest faculty and staff. Registration is available through the PDC website. For additional information, contact Nancy Aguillon at aguillna@wfu.edu or Nate French at frenchtn@wfu.edu.

Categories: Events

Proposals funded: Jayawickreme, French

Eranda JayawickremeCongratulations to Eranda Jayawickreme, assistant professor of psychology, whose proposal entitled “What are the Real Benefits of hardship: Examining Possibilities for Behavior Growth Following Adversity” has been funded by the Templeton Foundation.

 

Timothy Nate FrenchCongratulations to Timothy (Nate) French, Magnolia Scholars Program director, whose proposal entitled “Summer Bridge” has been funded by the US Department of Education and the NC Independent Colleges and Universities (WFU funding agency).

 

Ellen KirkmanCongratulations to Ellen Kirkman, professor of mathematics, whose proposal entitled “Invariant Theory of Artin-Schelter Regular Algebras” has been funded by the Simon Foundation.

 

Categories: Faculty NewsStaff News

Proposals funded: Marsh, French, Holzwarth

Tony MarshCongratulations to Anthony P. Marsh, professor of health and exercise science, whose proposal entitled “Nutritional Status & Mobility in Geriatric Patients Predicts Postoperative Complications” has been funded by the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation and the WFU Health Sciences (WFU funding agency).

Timothy Nate FrenchCongratulations to Timothy (Nate) French, Magnolia Scholars Program director, whose proposal entitled “Summer Bridge” has been funded by the US Department of Education and the NC Independent Colleges and Universities (WFU funding agency).

Natalie Holzwarth

Congratulations to Natalie A. Holzwarth, professor of physics, whose proposal entitled “First principles Simulations of Battery Materials” has been funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Categories: Faculty News

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