Events to Encourage
- Dead Man’s Cell Phone opens this weekend (multiple dates)
- Senior Colloquium – Feb. 5
- Hanes After Hours – Feb. 6
- No Mouse Challenge – Feb. 12
- TEDxWakeForestU – Feb. 20
I hope your Deacs have been spending a lot of time outside because TODAY IS GLORIOUS! Yes, it is so glorious that it warrants all capital letters. It’s probably 73 and sunny with a very gentle breeze. It’s about as close to perfect as it can get.
Now that I have gotten that Spring Fever out of my system (temporarily!), the bulk of today’s Daily Deac is event focused.
We send a “Next Week at Wake: Student Edition” e-newsletter to students every Friday to showcase all the events coming up in the next week. If your Deac isn’t reading it, they should – because there are all sorts of events across a variety of interests every week.
Today I want to highlight just a few upcoming events in the hopes that you might attend (if you find yourself in the area) and/or that you will encourage your Deacs to attend. Here goes!
Dead Man’s Cell Phone opens this weekend (multiple dates)
Attention theatre lovers: the spring season is here! This weekend is the opening of Dead Man’s Cell Phone:
“Directed by Brook Davis, Professor of Theatre, Dead Man’s Cell Phone examines our connections, our disconnections, and how our lives have changed as we navigate a piece of technology that follows us everywhere, all the time. Join the Department of Theatre for a whimsical look at humanity, technology, and the life-altering importance of a good bowl of lobster bisque. Performances will be Feb. 7-8 and 13-15 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 9 and 16 at 2 p.m. in the Ring Theatre, Scales Fine Arts Center. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 senior citizens, and $10 students.”
Our students are so talented, as are the faculty that guide them in these artistic productions. I know this will be a great show!
Senior Colloquium – Feb. 5
Every spring we hold a Senior Colloquium, where seniors (who have been selected by a faculty committee) offer a reflection on their experience at Wake:
“The Senior Colloquium is a Wake Forest tradition. When Wake Forest Institute was founded in 1834, all seniors were expected to speak at graduation. In the early 1880’s, ten students were selected as orators; all others wrote a thesis. In 1899, the number of speakers was reduced to eight; in 1909, to six; and in 1924, to four. In 1973, the Dean of the College reduced the number to three speakers.
At the Colloquium, 10 students will be narrowed down to 3 and top winner….Three finalists will be recognized at Founders Day and the Honors and Awards Ceremony in the spring where the top orator will also present their oration.”
This might be of particular interest to our Class of 2025, but I would encourage students of any year to attend. I have gone in the past and always leave amazed, inspired (sometimes even amused!) to hear our seniors’ perspectives. This will be tomorrow night in the Benson Center, Pugh Auditorim from 5-6:30 p.m.
Hanes After Hours – Feb. 6
Does your student know about Hanes After Hours?
“Join us Thursday, Feb. 6 from 5:30-8 p.m. for February’s Hanes After Hours! Once a month, we keep the gallery doors open late for an evening of creativity and connection!
This month, Hanes After Hours partners with the Intercultural Center to celebrate Black History Month. Experience live DJ sets, a performance by the Afro-Caribbean dance team, a creative workshop, gallery tour and more. Hanes Art Gallery, Scales fine Arts Center.”
2025 NoMouse Challenge – Feb. 12
The next event to discuss is the NoMouse Challenge – which I would absolutely fail, because I am dreadful at trying to use my laptop without my mouse (just ask my COM class; they have seen this first-hand!)
“Join the NoMouse competition! Compete to see who can perform specific navigation actions the fastest. Win a challenge, and spin the wheel for prizes or be entered into a drawing to win the grand prize, a gift card of your choosing. This Valentine’s Day, show love to your keyboard! Wednesday, Feb. 12, noon-2 p.m., Farrell Hall atrium.”
TEDxWakeForestU – Feb. 20
Every year, a group of students works on TEDxWakeForestU, whose mission it is to share “ideas worth spreading.” Our student organizers wanted our parents and families to be aware of this event; here’s what they want you to know:
“On February 20th, 2025, from 6:30-8:45 p.m., join us in Farrell Hall, Broyhill Auditorium, for this year’s TEDxWakeForestU event. Guided by the mission of TED and TED Talks, our goal is to create a platform where people can come together to experience Ideas Worth Spreading.
This year’s theme, Ideas IlluminaTED, will feature six expert speakers: Anindya Kundu, Anamaria Artemisa Sayre, Grace Stanke, Paul Hill, Yele Aluko, and Gus Vickery. Each speaker will share their unique insights, showcasing the ways they’ve made a lasting impact in their fields and offering fresh perspectives on how we interact with the world.
We invite you to be part of an evening of thought-provoking talks, meaningful connections, and inspiring stories from six remarkable trailblazers. Admission is free and open to everyone! Register here. We can’t wait to see you there!”
You can find more info at this QR code:
This is not everything that is happening, of course. This is just one tiny slice of pie from the whole events smorgasbord. As I often say, the more bites you take of your Wake experience, sampling as much as possible, the richer that experience will be.