OLD GOLD&BLACK W A K E
F O R E S T
U N I V E R S I T Y
VOL. 91, NO. 26
T H U R S D AY, A P R I L 3 , 2 0 0 8
“Covers the campus like the magnolias”
Students work to keep professor
SG elections bring results, controversy Davis takes presidency, Walker disqualified
By Molly Nevola | Staff writer
For visiting assistant professor of history Michael Bennett, teaching at the university since his arrival in August 2006 has been the “best two years of his life.” All this may change, however, as Bennett’s contract to teach has not been renewed for next year, despite widespread student sentiment to keep him onboard. Bennett, who was originally hired for one year and was then extended to two, said that he did not know what exactly was happening until the matter was full blown. “This past January, students began asking me what I was teaching next year; they kept asking about my schedule … and they knew it (from WIN) before I saw it,” he said. Bennett said his students inquired as to why he was not included in the list of courses. “‘I guess my contract’s not going to be extended,’ I told them,” Bennett said. Bennett, a family man with two young children, was originally a corporate lawyer before he decided to pursue a PhD. and become a university professor. His expertise is the Civil War military, but he was invited to join the university faculty to teach the Vietnam War. But now, after two years of teaching various introductory history courses on top of his specialties, Bennett will be looking for B ennett something new. And the students have taken note. Students are seeing an opportunity, Bennett said, and in a new form of activism are asking that the department consider keeping him. “The students here … they want to establish relationships with professors; they don’t just want an A on the test, they want life guidance … they are hungry for it and they expect it,” Bennett said, praising the quality and intelligence of his students. According to Trustee bylaws and the College Handbook, a visiting professor may not stay in a visiting position for more than three years. The American Association of University See Bennett, Page A5
By Elliot Engstrom | News editor
Elliot Engstrom/Old Gold & Black
President-elect Jermyn Davis, accompanied by speaker-elect Matt Triplett, talks by phone with WAKE TV See SG, Page A6 after learning of his landslide victory in this year’s election for Student Government president.
Students for Obama make community impact By Haowei Tong | Staff writer The Wake Forest Students for Barack Obama group is in full force with a jam-packed agenda. Senior Kyle Haney and sophomore Randy Paris pilot the organization, which currently has 140 members. Last week, several attended a packed organizational meeting for Forsyth County. They held a kickoff meeting in Annenburg Forum in Carswell Hall on April 2. They were joined by official Obama campaign staff and Professor Jennifer Collins, who attended law school with Obama. “The abundance of Obama-related events is very encouraging. This group’s proximity to official Obama campaign staff allows us to participate fully,” freshman Aaron Williams-Simmons said. Haney is particularly enthused about the potential of Forsyth County, asserting that Obama’s campaign here is
completely grassroots and meticulously organized. His enthusiasm about the growth of Students for Barack Obama matched his excitement about the general campaign. “Obama’s campaign methods are revolutionary in Winston-Salem and nationwide. His solid platform, nonpartisanship and hope are so promising. Not just people in power are approached by the staff. Literally everyone has the opportunity to make a change,” Haney said. Other students expressed similar sentiments. “At the Forsyth County rally, the energy was epidemic. I was impressed by the turnout, and I’m definitely motivated about the events to come,” freshman Jessica Dupont said. Paris created the campus’ Students for Barack Obama group and also conveyed immense enthusiasm about its growth. See Obama, Page A4
Firm donates $500,000 By Katie Phillips | Staff writer
Representatives from the international accounting firm Ernst & Young, along with the university’s Calloway School of Business and Accountancy students and faculty, gathered for a special ceremony regarding future plans of a development center in Kirby Hall. A major gift to the university was contributed along with the announcement of the construction of a new student professional development and advising center. The new center will be managed by the first director of student professional development in the Calloway School. It will open in the fall of this year. The director will offer professional development skills and advising services to all Calloway School majors. A donation of $500,000 from Ernst & Young will be used towards the development of the professional and advising center. Named the Ernst & Young Development Center, it will be housed in an area of 900 square feet of newly remodeled space on the ground floor of Kirby
Hall. “For Ernst & Young, this gift underscored our commitment to Wake Forest and the future business leaders that are graduating from the Calloway School,” Tom Hough, vice chair of the firm, said of the donation. President Hatch also spoke at the ceremony. He noted the importance of the Calloway School’s relationship with Ernst & Young, thanking both parties for their commitment. Hatch said that the new development center exemplifies the “signature of Wake Forest University’s quality and personal attention given to students at our first rate school.” Dean Jack Wilkerson of the Calloway School noted the importance of the firm’s “longstanding support for academic programs.” “The center will help students add business savvy and a more polished professional demeanor to the technical skills they have acquired through the school,” he said. “The thing that has been most impressive to me about the friendship and support of this firm is
See Gift, Page A4
Life | B7
INSIDE: Brieflies
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Police Beat
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Spotlight
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The Hot List
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Sudoku
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The tension was palpable outside of the Student Government office April 1 as candidates, media and onlookers awaited the results of the day’s Student Government elections. “I’m so scared right now,” said Saket Munshaw, candidate for the position of treasurer. “I love Wake Forest so much,and I’m concerned for its future.” Many candidates shared Munchaw’s sentiment, and as the results slowly trickled from the Student Government office, the tension slowly grew. Jermyn Davis won a landslide victory for the office of president, with 77.7 percent of the vote. Presidential candidate Sarah Walker was disqualified from the race for reasons that Student Government declined to give out following the election. However, the Old Gold & Black discovered e-mails and text messages sent out by Walker on the day of elections
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In Other News
• Guest lecturer discusses God, existence | A2 • University to host first annual film festival | A3
Haowei Tong/Old Gold & Black
Students and staff attended an organizational meeting for Barack Obama’s campaign March 27.
University senior VP resigns By Elliot Engstrom | News editor
James R. Bullock, vice president for university advancement, has resigned due to personal reasons. His resignation will be effective April 1. Bullock has been a staff member at the university since 1985. President Nathan O. Hatch commented on Bullock’s resignation in a recent university press release. “We appreciate James’ many years of service to Wake Forest,” Hatch said in the release. “With remarkable enthusiasm, he has been instrumental in developing significant financial support for the university’s educational mission.” Bullock was himself a graduate of the university’s Babcock
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Graduate School of Management. As vice president for university advancement, Bullock directed the university’s capital campaign, known as “Honoring the Promise: The Campaign for Wake Forest.” Bullock is also a member of the university senate, where he is on the Standing Committee on Senior University Appointments, which is chaired by Derrick Boone of the Babcock School of Management. “It has been my privilege to serve Wake Forest for the past 23 years,” Bullock said. “I am grateful for the many friendships made with alumni, students, faculty and staff. I know that our school will continue to have a bright future under Dr. Hatch’s inspirational leadership.”
Bullock stressed the fact that the university should strive to accommodate those who do not have the resources to attend without aid. “Having attended Wake Forest on scholarships made possible through others’ generosity, I hope Wake Forest will continue to be a place of opportunity for promising students of limited means,” Bullock said. “While I am looking forward to the next chapter of my career, Wake Forest is and always will be the home of my heart.” No specific reason has been given for Bullock’s resignation. Upon searching Bullock’s name on the Wake Information Network, one finds a link to www.bullockconsult.com, the See Bullock, Page A4
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