I don’t know what percentage of our Wake Forest families had a vested interest in the Superbowl, but on campus we had reason to be proud if either team won.  Our former head football coach, Jim Caldwell, is the offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens and is now wearing another Super Bowl Ring (having previously been with the Indianapolis Colts for one of their wins).  On the 49ers side, we had player Joe Looney (’11), who wears #66.  Congratulations to both our Deacs for their role in the Super Bowl.

This morning on campus began with a stunning sunrise, all pinks and purples and oranges.  The early morning runners would have seen it, but not many others.  It’s a cold day today, but we’ll be moving back into the 50s later in the week.  Pretty mornings like this remind me of the many reasons I feel blessed to work on this campus.

And since Valentine’s Day is coming up, we thought the Daily Deac might feature some of the reasons we love Wake Forest.  And we invite you to share your own reasons too.  You can email them to parents@wfu.edu and tell us your first initial and your student’s class year, so we can recognize your quote in an anonymous fashion.

So here goes the start of our list – and we hope you’ll add your reasons too!

Wake Forest is a place where people matter.  If you need help, or a friend, or a suggestion on where to turn to solve a problem, this campus is full of students, faculty, and staff who are willing – eager, even – to help you.  

Send us more at parents@wfu.edu

It’s the end of the week and we are finishing it out on several very happy notes.

Our Police Chief, Regina Lawson, is a finalist for Campus Safety Magazine’s Director of the Year award.  Most of our parents will likely never meet Chief Lawson, but the Parent Programs office works with her a lot, and we can tell you that this recognition is richly deserved.  Chief Lawson is unflinchingly committed to the safety and well-being of this campus and the protection of our students and their property.  She is a terrific advocate and she and her staff are as hardworking as they come.  There is a nice article about her in the Winston-Salem Journal; hope you’ll take a look at it.

Wake Forest will celebrate its birthday next week – our 178th in fact (don’t we look great for our age?)  As told by our News Service, “a group of young alumni who work at the university saw the need to throw their Mother, So Dear a birthday party, collectively deciding that they would feel pretty bad if they only celebrated their mother’s birthday once every 25 years. After months of brainstorming and planning, they will host a week-long celebration, culminating on Friday, Feb. 3, the day on which Wake Forest admitted its first students.”  You can read more about our WFU birthday party online, and we hope your students will participate in the fun.

Finally, and on a personal note, one person on campus who is a dear friend of the Parent Programs office  is celebrating a special birthday today.  We won’t name names, but know that we are sending out our very best birthday wishes.

Today I looked at the University Calendar and I saw that we have several different events that might appeal to a wide range of people on campus.  Here’s a snapshot:

It is the last day to add a course – so if your student’s schedule is not settled, today is the final time he/she can add a course.  It is very important to follow this process in a timely fashion!

The Deacon Shop is holding a sidewalk sale from a group called 301 Rosemont – which promises high fashions.  This would be a great opportunity to browse in between classes

There is a chemistry and physics joint lecture.  The speaker for this seminar is Professor Charles L. Brooks III, Warner-Lambert/Parke-Davis Professor of Chemistry and Professor of Biophysics Department of Chemistry & Biophysics Program at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.  The title is ”Capturing pH Mediated Physics & Chemistry in Biological Physics”

And then the Wake-Duke basketball game at 8 p.m.  Deac families, please urge your students to come out and support the team.  We had a killer win over NC state last week and then took a whuppin from GA Tech.  We need the 6th man – our fans! – there to cheer on the Deacs at home.  Tell your students to study earlier that day and be sure to be out for the game.

We hope that our Deac families have been signing up for events for Spring Family Weekend (which will take place February 22-24 here on campus).  If you haven’t registered, you can do that online via the Student Union website.

Reynolda House, Museum of American Art is featuring a really special event as part of Spring Family Weekend.  I asked my colleagues there if they’d tell me a little  bit more about the event, because the description on the Family Weekend website seemed intriguing, and they were kind enough to give me a better picture of the event.  Here’s what they had to say.

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Deacon Parents! Be sure to pack your “Red Carpet” outfit for Spring Family Weekend (Feb. 22-24), because you are invited to attend Reynolda House’s exclusive Star Power Members Opening Party, kicking off our spring exhibition Star Power: Edward Steichen’s Glamour Photography. As chief photographer for Vogue and Vanity Fair in the 1920’s and 1930’s, Edward Steichen’s images elevated the stars of the 1920s and ’30s to Hollywood’s stars iconic status.  We invite you to join us for this momentous night!

Bask in glamour as your family struts down the Star Power red carpet, immortalize the night as your portraits are snapped by the Museum’s paparazzi, and swing with period actors dressed in 1920’s garb to infectious jazz rhythms.  Then, roam the gallery and enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as the winners are announced for our very own Academy Awards ceremony.

The exhibition will also showcase The Golden Age of Reynolda, during which the historic house’s basement was renovated as a chic party hall for entertainment.  The Reynolds family gathered in designer evening gowns to enjoy their personal bowling alley, skating rink, indoor swimming pool, and bar. Furnishings, dresses, jewelry, and accessories will be on view in the gallery.

But wait, there’s more! Tickets to this sure-to-be fun event not only include admission for two adults and your Wake Forest student, but you will also receive a Dual/Family Membership to the Museum so you can enjoy Reynolda on your return visits to campus. Don’t miss your chance to embrace your inner-star with your son or daughter (students are free!).

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Friday, February 22, 7-9 p.m. | $100 per couple (includes Membership) Advanced purchase recommended.

There is a Study Abroad Fair tomorrow (Tuesday 1/29) from 11 am-4 pm in Benson University Center Room 401.

If your student has not gone abroad yet as part of his/her college experience, please recommend the Study Abroad Fair to your student.

I can say this from personal experience – and it has been echoed in the stories of legions of students I have met during my time as an administrator – the semester (or summer) you spend abroad is transformational.  It is unbelievable how much it expands a student’s worldview, sense of history, understanding of other cultures, and self-reliance.

I loved every minute of 7 semesters of my undergraduate time at Wake Forest, but my semester abroad was transcendent and provides me with lessons I still use today and memories I treasure.

So parents of first years, sophomores, and even juniors – if you have not had the discussion about an abroad experience, please talk to your student about it.  There are some stipends and scholarships available to assist students with financial need.

Best. Semester. Ever.

Wake Forest students who have studied

It has been a very, very brisk couple of days at Wake Forest.  I walked across the Quad this morning and much of the victory toilet paper has been blown out of the trees, because it has been very windy.  We’re still rolled – it’s just the stuff that is higher up and more tangled.

Students appear to be largely staying inside when they can, though every morning you do see the dedicated early morning runners (today I saw one young man in shorts – and he must have been freezing).  There has been some talk on the news about getting some freezing precipitation tomorrow.  Looks like it would start late morning or midday, we’ll have to wait and see.

Today is Bid Day for fraternities so new members will become pledges and they’ll start the process of brotherhood in their new organizations.  Just as on the women’s side, there will likely be some young men who are disappointed at not having received a bid.  In those cases, we want to remind parents that they have many avenues of support open to them, including: talking to their RA, the Counseling Center, a member of the Chaplain’s office, or a trusted faculty or staff mentor.  There are many, many people on campus who would be very happy to help students engage in other areas of campus life and provide some support and suggestions.  If your student falls into one of these categories, see if he is willing to talk to his RA or a member of the Greek Life of Campus Life staff.  And the Parent Programs office is always here as well, and we can help refer students as needed if you email parents@wfu.edu.

I hope you had access to cable TV or an iPad/computer hookup lastnight, because the men’s basketball team put up one for the ages.  We played old Big Four rival NC State, and State had been predicted to beat us (at least among those stats aficionados that I hang around with).  NC State had knocked out #1 Duke a couple of weeks ago and was ranked 18th in the nation, and Little Old Wake Forest was not given much of a chance.  And in some ways, that’s where we do our best work – when people underestimate us.

The game turned out to be an incredible one – with lead changes, and big runs that were then chipped away.  There were some brilliant performances by our freshmen – notably Devin Thomas, who was referred to by many in the Facebook and Twitter worlds as “a beast” – and they mean that in only the most complimentary way, I assure you.  He had 25 points and 14 rebounds.  The crowd was loud and their joy was infectious.

Lots and lots of talk about  - notably the fact that our freshmen played so well.  One can only imagine the possibilities once our team gets a little more seasoned.  The crowd rushed the court afterwards, and it was a joy to see.  It’s been a long time since we’ve done that, and I was reminded of a song lyric that goes “the sunshine trapped in our hearts it could rise again.”  The Quad was well and duly rolled (please see Intern C’s coverage on the Parent Facebook page).  It is SO cold this morning that I have not ventured out to see it in daylight.  Perhaps later.

So the game was amazing and I was so proud of our team and the “6th man” that is our fans.  Moving from sports pride to student pride, I want to share with you a great story about a student entrepreneurial venture.

About a week ago, the Parent Programs office had a delightful meeting with two current students, Alex Smereczniak and Quentin Robert, to talk about their entrepreneurial venture, Wake Wash, and how it has grown and evolved into a flourishing campus entity.  Wake Wash is a door to door laundry service that students (or their families) can purchase for the semester.  The business is owned and run by Wake Forest students, who get valuable experience in business planning, operations, and labor relations.  When the owners graduate, they have typically sold the business to the next generation of Wake Wash owners.  It’s been a great success.

We are such fans of Wake Wash, we wanted to be sure that all parents knew about it.  Why are some of the reasons you might consider getting Wake Wash for your student?

- If your student is taking a particularly hard course load and needs every conceivable bit of help and free time to focus on studying.

- To congratulate your student on a milestone achieved (dean’s list, internship secured, etc.)

- As a birthday present or Valentines Day gift

- If your student is going through pledging in a fraternity or sorority and their time is packed to the gills with other activities

- Or even just because you are worried that that one red sock is going to end up in the load of whites : )

We talked to Alex and Quentin and wanted to share our interview with you.  Enjoy!

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What began over 5 years ago as a class project has now grown into an amenity at Wake Forest that both faculty and students can enjoy and depend upon year after year.

In spring 2012, three Wake Forest students – Alex Smereczniak (’14), Tyler Leung (’14), and Quentin Robert (’14) – purchased Wake Wash with a new vision for what benefits the service could provide the campus of Wake Forest University.  After successfully transitioning the company into the fall semester and increasing its customer base by 25%, it is clear that the Wake Wash owners have continued to grow while maintaining its high standards of service.

So what is Wake Wash exactly?

Wake Wash is a door-to-door laundry and dry cleaning delivery service that presents students, faculty, and staff with the luxury of hands-off washing, drying, and folding.  We take pride in literally taking a load off of student’s already busy schedules.  With Wake Wash, students have more time to enjoy college and focus on the important things.

How does it work?

Upon selecting from one of our service packages, each customer is given a branded laundry bag to store all of their outgoing laundry and/or dry cleaning.  On scheduled days, bags are picked up from right outside the student’s door, brought to a professional cleaner, and returned within 48 hours.  It’s really that simple!

How can parents sign their students up for Wake Wash?

Parents and students can find more information and sign up on our website at www.wakewashwfu.com

What other benefits do you provide to the Wake Forest community?

We’re glad you asked!  Wake Wash not only provides quality laundry care, but offers a unique platform for student growth and learning.  Our job opportunities foster creative thinking and allow students to apply their class learnings to an actual business venture.  For more information, please contact us at wakewash@wfu.edu.

Is there anything else parents should know?

Wake Wash takes customer requests regarding our cleaning process.  Please do not hesitate to let us know if there is a specific way we should wash the clothes or if your student needs hypoallergenic detergent.

Because laundry and our clothes are an important part of our day to day comfort, we strive to provide the absolute best quality of service to our customers.  Sign up today and let us “Wash” your worries away!

Each week on the Parents’ Page we offer a special message for families of first year students.  These are weekly messages that (we hope) have relevance to something the first year students might be experiencing, and we try to offer some suggestions on how parents and family members can help and support their students through that particular developmental milestone or situation.

This week’s message is about “The New You!” and provided some thoughts on what students might consider doing as part of this new year.  Dr. Hatch had emailed the campus a message at the beginning of the semester, and he challenged students to try and do three things this semester:  1) spend time with and invest in your friends, 2) appreciate being a member of a community in a way that you may never experience again, and 3) have the courage to spend time alone (read his full message here).

In thinking about resolutions, I stumbled across this list of 30 Accomplishments to Be Proud Of and thought it might be interesting to put here for parents.  The writer of the blog had been asked to provide a list of her greatest accomplishments for 2012, and struggled.  While there were professional accomplishments, those were not the ones of which she was proudest.

She came to the conclusion that “accomplishments don’t necessarily need to entail productivity, promotion, sales, or profits. Sometimes the most fulfilling things we do in this world bring little recognition, yield no monetary results, and come without fanfare. And yet, they still can mean so much and feel so completely satisfying.”

Our students are so achievement-oriented and so successful, that sometimes it must feel to them like they are struggling just for the grades or the internship or the job opportunity.  And maybe it would be a good thing to remind them that they already do a lot of terrific things that are not as easy to measure, but add up to the greater good per the list below.

This list divides accomplishments to be proud of into three categories – your relationship with yourself, with others, and with the world.  I’d be willing to bet you can see a lot of your own students’ accomplishments in this list.

Your Relationships with Others

1. Offer your love and support to someone who needs understanding.

2. Show up for someone who needs help—moving, packing, or doing anything that’s easier with an extra set of hands.

3. Plan, organize, or assist with a party or event for someone you love and/or value.

4. Support someone in a fundraiser, online of offline.

5. Respond calmly to a tough situation to keep a small issue from escalating into something much bigger.

6. Speak up for someone who otherwise might not have a voice, or may be too scared to use it.

7. Volunteer your skills and talents to help someone, whether that means proofreading a friend’s resume or cleaning their kitchen.

8. Offer a random act of kindness to someone without expecting anything in return.

9. Give something of yours to someone else if you think they need it more than you.

10. Point someone in the direction of a resource, group, or event that could be life-changing for them.

Your Relationship with Yourself 

11. Set a clear boundary in a relationship that lacks them, thereby taking good care of yourself.

12. Follow through on a commitment to yourself, whether it’s to exercise, eat healthy foods, or to try something new.

13. Replace a negative, self-defeating thought with a positive, self-affirming one—and believe it.

14. Stick with something you’re tempted to quit knowing that what matters most is your commitment to the journey.

15. Improve how you deal with criticism, receiving it with an open-mind, without self-judgment.

16. Trust and follow your intuition instead of depending on someone else to define what’s best for you.

17. Forgive yourself for a mistake, creating more space in your mind to see, enjoy, and appreciate what’s right in front of you.

18. Choose a healthy coping mechanism to deal with emotional pain—like deep breathing or taking a walk—instead of doing something self-destructive.

19. Honor your own needs, creating more balance in your life.

20. Allow yourself to get into the zone with something you enjoy instead of overwhelming yourself with persistent mental chatter.

Your Relationship with the World

21. Purchase consciously to support businesses that follow ethical practices.

22. Become conscious of your environmental impact, and try one of these 50 ways to help the planet.

23. Make a microloan through an organization like Kiva to help and empower people around the globe. 

24. Recycle. (You can recycle a lot more than you may think!) 

25. Pay it forward. Do something kind for someone and tell that person to return the favor to someone else.

26. Give old clothes to charity instead of throwing them away.

27. Use the game at FreeRice.com to help end hunger.

28. Donate marrow to someone whose life depends on it. (You can start by registering on marrow.org.)

29. Do some research on your own to find a charity organization that you believe in and then tell three people about it.

30. Follow Gandhi’s advice and “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

Do you have anything to add to the list?

We did get snow lastnight, Deac families, but not as much as was predicted.  There is probably about an inch or two out there, heavier coverage on grass than pavement.

It had been raining miserably for about 3 days and yesterday was very cold and blustery.  There was a rain-snow-slush combination that started coming down around 7 pm lastnight, but the flakes would melt as they hit the already-wet ground.  Closer to the 9-10 pm range there was thunder in addition to the snow (the rare “thundersnow” as the Weather Channel calls it).  At that point the snow started sticking, and it was coming down fast and furious.  Around 11 pm there was a bit of freezing rain as well.

Classes and administrative offices are opening at 11 am today, which means your students with early classes are likely waking up very, very happy – and immediately going back to sleep : )

At a school where we challenge our students to learn more than just what is in their textbooks and labs, but about their roles and responsibilities as global citizens, it seems especially fitting that we think this weekend about our school motto, Pro Humanitate (for humanity) and what that means in a historical and personal context.

Because of MLK weekend, there will be several opportunities for our students to hear speakers and lectures, and music of a celebratory nature.  It will also give our students time to think and reflect over the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his own service to humanity.  Most people are aware of his “I Have a Dream” speech, where he talks about his hopes and dreams for the future of our country and our citizenry.  With a weekend full of events, and a day off of school on Monday, I would challenge your students to think about their own dreams for the future.

What is their dream?  What is worth working for? Sweating for? Sacrificing for?  In what do they believe?  It’s not likely they will come up with an easy answer, two minute elevator speech or a soundbite about their dream, but they should start thinking about it.  College is the time to do these sorts of exercises.

Here are two flyers that might help your students consider activities this weekend.  I would challenge you to challenge your students to attend at least one of these events.  They might be outside your students’ normal comfort zone, or area of interest.  But college is about pushing your boundaries and limits and trying something new.  So try that lecture or concert and see what you think, and feel, and learn.  Your students will be better people for having tasted something new.

And perhaps beginning a dream of their own.