“ loss of sophomore student University mourns
Page 4 | Thursday, November 21, 2013
Andrew Pillow, a sophomore and native of Fort Worth, Texas, passed away on campus on November 14, 2013 BY MOLLY DUTMERS Online Managing Editor dutmk11@wfu.edu The Wake Forest community mourns the loss of student Andrew Pillow, who died on campus on Thursday, Nov. 14. Pillow, a sophomore from Fort Worth, Texas, was a brother of Kappa Alpha Order. An aspiring political science major who was passionate about education reform, Pillow had hoped to work in Washington D.C., one day, possibly following in his father’s footsteps and pursuing a career as a lobbyist. Pillow was loved and admired on campus. In the wake of his death, the campus community and friends of Pillow took to social media to express their condolences and share memories of him. Tyler Sweeny, a close friend and fraternity brother of Pillow, shared his memories of Pillow on the Pillow Memories Facebook page. “Andrew Pillow was the ideal friend,” Sweeny said. “There’s no other way of putting it. He was the most genuine, kind-hearted friend I’ll ever have. I can’t describe how happy I was to see him every day because he lit the room up with smiles when walking in.” Sophomore Sarah Burke Butler, who was also a close friend of Pillow, commented on his infectious smile. “Pillow had the most contagious smile and always knew how to brighten your day,” she said. “He was an amazing friend and only saw the good in people. I will never forget
Old Gold & Black | News
Pillow had the most contagious smile and always knew how to brighten your day.” Sarah Burke Butler
him. He touched so many people and will be greatly missed.” Others remembered Pillow for the great impact that he had on the lives of everyone he met. People have commented on his ability to make everyone he spoke with feel appreciated and important. “There are so many of us that miss you,” said a close friend of Pillow, who wrote a letter to his late friend and shared it with the OGB. “There are so many of us that miss you. You changed the landscape of Wake Forest, and in each individual life, in death just as you did in life. You took a piece of our hearts.” A celebration of Pillow’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at Trinity Hills Baptist Church in Benbrook, Texas. A visitation for family and friends will be held Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Pillow’s memory to H.O.P.E. Farm, 865 E. Ramsey Ave., Fort Worth, Texas 76104; Trinity Hills Baptist Church Children’s Ministries, 6970 FM 2871, Benbrook, Texas 76126; or R.L. Paschal Scholarship Fund, 3001 Forest Park Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76110. Pillow attended R.L Paschal High School in Fort Worth, where he was the president of his class and a member of the baseball and football teams. The date and time for a service on campus in Pillow’s memory will be set following the service Saturday in Texas. The Office of Communication and External Relations will share details of the memorial service.
Photo courtesy of Dean Shore
Hatch delivers annual State of the University Address The university President discusses WakeForest’s progress over the last year and hopes for the future BY AUSTIN COOK News Editor cookar12@wfu.edu President Hatch delivered his fifth annual State of the University Address to students, faculty and administrators in Brendle Recital Hall on Nov. 19. The speech, which outlined the strategic progress that the university has made over
the last year, lasted roughly 30 minutes and touched on subjects including tuition affordability, faculty research, post-graduate employment, preserving Wake Forest’s sense of community as well as teaching students to be leaders in the 21st Century. “It’s no secret today that higher education is caught in a whirlwind of complicated issues,” Hatch said. “What we share is a deep commitment to Wake Forest and it’s flourishing, and for that I am grateful.” The speech comes at a time when the university is positioning itself for significant changes in the coming years as the administration continues to try to establish Wake Forest as a national collegiate institution.
Adrian Martino/Old Gold & Black
Nathan O. Hatch, university President, addressed a crowd of students, faculty and administrators Nov. 19 in Brendle Recital Hall for the annual speech.
Ålso, the recent additions of Farrell Hall, Magnolia and Dogwood Residence Halls as well as the upcoming completion of a new North Campus dining hall, the university has seen significant changes just in the last few months alone. But with the recent rollout of the latest capital campaign, “Wake Will: The Campaign for Wake Forest,” further improvements are expected in the not-so-distant future. These updates include a renovation of the Z. Smith Reynolds Library and Reynolds Gymnasium, among other facilities. The campaign, which will raise a total of $600 million over the next five years, will also expand scholarship and financial aid opportunities to students as well as increasing faculty research resources. During the address, Hatch discussed the various facets of the university that he believes distinguish it from other colleges and universities in the United States. “The story of Wake Forest is intriguing not so much because it is one of smooth sailing, great achievement, plentiful resources and famous graduates,” he said. “The Wake Forest story involves much more struggle, determination and will to succeed, sometimes against great odds.” Hatch noted specifically the university’s role as a leading institution advocating a standardized test-optional admissions policy, as well as the upcoming construction of the wellness center and the success of the Office of Personal and Career Development. Regarding the university’s financial standing, Hatch pointed out that a time period of
fiscal “stewardship” during the recession has allowed it to emerge stronger from a time of economic turbulence and uncertainty. To ensure the long-term financial stability of the university, Hatch also talked about the decision to privatize the investment office, led by Jim Dunn, vice president and chief investment officer. The new firm, which will be called Verger Capital Management, will handle the university’s future investments. Hatch reaffirmed the university’s commitment to the “teacher-scholar” faculty model as well as the residential college community that he believes makes Wake Forest a unique institution. In the final portion of the address, he also discussed the university’s pledge to help develop students into leaders of civility in a world that seems increasingly divided. He mentioned the recent event that featured Maya Angelou, Provost Emeritus Ed Wilson and Johnnetta Cole advocating for the Dignity and Respect Campaign on campus as an example of the university’s efforts in that goal. In closing the speech, Hatch thanked the faculty for their ongoing commitment to the success and well-being of the students and reminded them of the enormous role they play in their lives. “All of you — faculty, staff and administration — have the privilege of being involved in that rich and complex process of formation so that these students will, in fact, emerge as a generation whose lives will matter,” Hatch said. “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your efforts to that end.”