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September 2025 Edition

A collage of images from last week’s URECA Day, one of Wake Forest’s signature events of the year. The day was filled with inspiring presentations and conversation, exemplifying interdisciplinary collaboration and academic excellence. We are so proud of our students and their hard work!

As the weather cools and the leaves begin to change, we welcome the dedication and energy that accompany this busy time of the semester.

The September edition of the Dean’s Office Digest highlights the excellent work our teacher-scholars continue to do in and beyond the classroom. Professor of Psychology Dr. Christy Buchanan recently shared her research on an international stage, delivering a keynote address in Japan. Associate Professor of Politics and International Affairs Dr. Betina Wilkinson was recently honored by the American Political Science Association for her extraordinary mentorship. Pursuing interdisciplinary scholarship, Dr. Eranda Jayawickreme, Harold W. Tribble Professor of Psychology, received an impressive three-year grant for his ongoing project on covenantal pluralism.

In addition to these achievements, we also celebrate three faculty publications and look forward to upcoming campus events that bring our community together for dynamic discussions. We hope you enjoy learning about this month’s highlights and College news.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Dean’s Office Announcements

OFFICE OF THE PROVOST ANNOUNCES TWO NEW STRATEGIC VISIONING INITIATIVES 

Last spring, the Office of the Provost launched a Visioning Process for the five areas of academic distinction outlined in the Strategic Framework. The first two visioning efforts—Neuroscience & Society and Environment & Sustainability—concluded this summer, and their insights will inform future plans related to partnerships and academic innovation. 

This fall, the visioning process continues with two new areas of distinction: Health, Medicine & Humanity and Emerging & Future Technologies. In-person visioning sessions will be held for interested faculty on Monday, Oct. 6, from 3 to 5 p.m., and Monday, Oct. 13, from 1 to 3 p.m. 

Learn more about the visioning process and other ways to get involved on Inside WFU.

REMINDER: FACULTY FUNDING DEADLINE

The Fall 2025 deadline for Archie, Faculty Development, and Research & Experiential Learning applications is Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. Visit the College website for additional details.

All applications should be submitted electronically to Carol Sowers, sowersc@wfu.edu, with application, CV, and any supplementary documentation combined into a single PDF.

COLLEGE FACULTY AWARDS: NOMINATION DEADLINES

THE REID-DOYLE PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING

The Reid-Doyle Prize honors a Wake Forest College junior faculty member who holds the rank of Assistant Professor or who was promoted from Assistant to Associate Professor in the last academic year. Nominations are submitted by chairs, program directors, or senior faculty (with chair approval) from within the nominee’s department or program. Please visit the Reid-Doyle Prize page on the College website for complete nomination information. The submission deadline is Wednesday, Oct. 15.

TEACHING PROFESSIONALS AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING 

The Teaching Professionals Award honors a Wake Forest College Teaching Professional faculty member at any level of their career. Nominations are submitted by chairs, program directors, or senior faculty (with chair approval) from within the nominee’s department or program. Please visit the Teaching Professionals Award page on the College website for complete nomination information. The submission deadline is Wednesday, Oct. 15. 

2025 MAJOR/MINOR FAIR

Mark your calendars for the Major/Minor Fair, which will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Tribble Courtyard. In the event of rain, the fair will be in Benson 401. Please share the event details with your departments and students. Haven’t signed your department/program up yet? Contact Nikki Elston, elstonnc@wfu.edu, for more details.

For Faculty & Staff

TENURE & PROMOTION PANEL: PATHS TO SCHOLARLY SUCCESS

The Provost’s Office and the Office of Research & Sponsored Programs invite assistant professors across the University to a panel of recently tenured faculty from several disciplines who will talk about building research and scholarship success. The panel will take place on Monday, Oct. 6, at 3:30 p.m. in Benson, Room 401. A Q&A will follow. Please use this Google Form to RSVP by Thursday, Oct. 2.

HUMANITIES INSTITUTE JUST WRITE PROGRAM TO CONTINUE THROUGH FALL 2025 SEMESTER

Do you need a change of scenery from your campus and/or home office? Are you looking for a writing community but not another critique group? Are you looking, in other words, for a space to “just write”? If so, the HI has a solution.

The Humanities Institute’s program Just Write will continue from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Fridays throughout the semester and is open to all faculty working in the humanities. Please check the HI Events Calendar for changes to meeting location. Use this Google Form to register. Contact Aimee Mepham, HI Associate Director, at mephamam@wfu.edu, with questions. 

FIRST FIVE: ZSR EARLY CAREER FACULTY WORKSHOP SERIES

The ZSR Library offers upcoming workshops to connect with other faculty and learn more about how ZSR can support your teaching and research. First Five is open to faculty at all ranks who are in their first five years at WFU. Lunch will be provided.

The next workshop,“Teaching Data Literacy,” will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 1, from 12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in ZSR 665.

“Designing Effective Research Assignments” will be on Tuesday, Oct. 28, from 12:15 p.m. to1:30 p.m. in ZSR 665.

Register and view the full workshop schedule on the ZSR Library website.

PROFESSIONAL HEADSHOTS AVAILABLE FOR FACULTY AND STAFF

Studio-quality headshots are available at no cost to Wake Forest faculty and staff on the second Wednesday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon at the University Corporate Center. Appointments are required.

ANNUAL BENEFITS ENROLLMENT 

WFU’s 2025 Open Enrollment period will run from Monday, Oct. 6, through Friday, Oct. 17. Beginning Oct. 6, you must enroll via Workday if you are changing benefit elections, adding or removing a dependent(s), and/or planning to participate in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

HR will host the Annual Benefits Enrollment Webinar for faculty and staff on Tuesday, Oct. 2, at 12 p.m., and the Annual Benefits Fair will be held from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7, in the Sutton Center, 4th floor gym. 

FALL CLASS CAFÉ TO BE HELD ON OCT. 8

Students, faculty, and staff are invited to the fall CLASS Café on Wednesday, Oct. 8, in front of Reynolda Hall on Hearn Plaza. Drop in anytime between 3 and 4:30 p.m. to celebrate the academic year with seasonal treats and fun conversation.

Technology

ENHANCE YOUR ORGANIZATION WITH PROGRESSIVE WEB APPS

Progressive Web Apps, or PWAs, are a fantastic method of keeping organized, as Google Chrome now allows you to create an ‘app’ from any website. You can create an application link that stays in your taskbar, which is especially useful for Gmail and Google Calendar, but it works with any site. Information Systems has a help page with instructions. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to any ITG for all of your technology needs.

SAVE THE DATE: TECHNOLOGY DO’S AND DONUTS

Join Information Systems (IS) to learn all things tech and enjoy donuts and coffee at the 4th annual Technology Do’s and Donuts event. The event will highlight IS’s many technology resources, including super wifi and friendly tech support. IS staff will be on hand with answers, fun merch, and prize giveaways. Drop in anytime on Tuesday, Oct. 7, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. by the ZSR stairs in the Tribble Courtyard. 

This is a proud partnership with CLASS’ Academic Resources Awareness Week.

ACCESSIBILITY IN ACTION: LIVE TRAINING SERIES

This fall, the Technology Accessibility Team will offer a live virtual training series designed to strengthen institution-wide digital design. As a faculty and/or staff member, you can learn how to create more inclusive and effective course materials by attending these specialized sessions. Learn more about the session topics and register on the Technology Accessibility Website. The first session will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 7.

AI CAFÉ: FOSTERING COMMUNITY & CURIOSITY

Information Systems’ (IS) monthly AI Café series offers a welcoming forum where WFU colleagues gather to exchange ideas on artificial intelligence. On the fourth Friday of each month, these sessions—held on an alternating schedule of virtual and in-person—bring diverse professionals together for discussion, advice, and exploration of AI’s potential in their own work and across campus.

IS invites faculty and staff to explore the full series schedule and take part in a conversation that shapes our campus’s approach to emerging technology. The next in-person café is on Oct. 24, from 9 to 10 a.m. on the 6th floor of ZSR in the Center for Advancement of Teaching Lounge.

CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH 2025

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a nationwide campaign dedicated to increasing awareness of Internet security and promoting the resources available to stay safe online. Throughout the month, the WFU Information Systems’ cybersecurity team will be providing a variety of tips and tools to help you protect your data. Keep an eye out for our upcoming communications as IS shares valuable information and best practices to empower you against online threats.

For more information on the 2025 campaign, including specific events and resources, visit the 2025 Cybersecurity Awareness Month Event Page. For more immediate guidance on how to stay secure, visit the Wake Forest Cybersecurity Checklist and check out Information Systems’ recent article, ”Protect Your Tech: Stay Cyber Safe This Fall.”

REFER A STUDENT TO THE STUDENT TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (STAC)

Do you know a student who wants to help shape the future of technology at Wake Forest? Refer them to the Student Technology Advisory Committee (STAC), an integral part of the IT advisory structure. STAC welcomes students from all majors, and previous IT experience is not required.

To refer a student, please email their name to infosystems@wfu.edu.

CAT Resources

CAT FACULTY IN RESIDENCE: CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

The Center for the Advancement of Teaching is excited to announce the pilot of a new Faculty in Residence Program, which will allow a WFU faculty member to join the CAT team as a full-time colleague for an initial one-year appointment, with the possibility of renewal for a second year. This program is designed to leverage the expertise of WFU teacher-scholars to enrich our work, expand our impact, and provide the selected faculty member with dedicated time to focus on teaching and learning. The Faculty in Residence program is open to tenured faculty and teaching professionals on full-time, continuing 9-month contracts. Please submit your application on the CAT website by Wednesday, Oct. 15. 

CONFIDENTIAL FEEDBACK ON TEACHING OPPORTUNITY FOR FACULTY

Are you interested in getting feedback on your teaching? CAT team members are available for Student Feedback Sessions to collect Small Group Instructional Feedback (SGIF) from your students. Gathering feedback is an effective way to show students you value their perspective, find out how a course is going, and make mid-semester adjustments as needed. We are also happy to arrange a confidential Teaching Observation. We’ll observe unobtrusively and then meet with you to provide feedback, either in narrative or quantitative formats. 

Visit the Program & Services page on the CAT website for more information.

Research Funded

Dr. Hussein Abdeltawab, Assistant Professor of Engineering, received an NSF award for his project, “ERI: Toward a Reliable Frequency Support by Wind Farms—a Physics Informed Machine Learning Approach?”

Dr. Patricia Clayton, Associate Professor of Engineering, received funding from the NSF and the University of Texas at Austin for her project, “Empowering Engineering Scholar-Activists through Community-Driven Research Experience.”

Dr. Eranda Jayawickreme, Harold W. Tribble Professor of Psychology, received a three-year grant from Templeton Religion Trust for “Clarifying the Constitutive and Enabling Elements of Covenantal Pluralism.”

Dr. Amanda Jones, Associate Professor of Chemistry, received an NSF award for “Tracking Organogold Intermediates in Heterocycle Synthesis Toward Designing Highly Active and Systematically Tunable Gold(I) Catalysts.”

Dr. Jessica Richard, Associate Professor of English, was awarded a $350,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities for The Maria Edgeworth Letters Project, which will create the first-ever comprehensive and electronic collection of Maria Edgeworth’s correspondence, previously only available in manuscript form.

Dr. Timo Thonhauser, Wright Family Professor of Physics, received a grant from the NSF and University of North Dallas, Texas for “Investigation of the Adsorption and Competition of Mixed Oxoanion Pollutants in Aqueous Environments.”

Dr. Casey Holmes, Visiting Assistant Professor of Education, with Dr. Dani Parker-Moore and Dr. Adam Friedman, received a grant from the Library of Congress and the American Historical Association for their project, “Engaging in Civic Literacy through Historical Inquiry. Examining the African American Odyssey: A Quest for Full Citizenship.”

For more faculty funding, visit Inside WFU.

Books Published

Dr. Grey Ballard, Associate Professor of Computer Science, Tensor Decompositions for Data Science. Cambridge University Press UK, 2025.

Dr. Jennifer Greiman, Professor of English, Oxford Handbook of Herman Melville. Oxford University Press, 2025.

Dr. Qiaona Yu, Associate Professor of East Asian Languages and Cultures, Defining and Assessing Chinese Syntactic Complexity via TC-Units. Peking University Press & Springer, 2025.

In the News

ANN CUNNINGHAM, RETIRED PROFESSOR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, PASSES AWAY

Ann Crawford Cunningham lived with compassion and curiosity. She was incredibly committed to her students and passionate about international and global education, which you can read about briefly in this Old Gold & Black profile from 2016. For many years, she organized the Department of Education’s Emerging Teacher Leaders Network Conference. Read more about her exemplary leadership in this Wake Forest Magazine story.

You can read the full obituary online.

DR. BUCHANAN PRESENTS KEYNOTE ADDRESS IN SENDAI, JAPAN

Dr. Christy Buchanan, Professor of Psychology, recently traveled to Sendai, Japan to give a keynote address at the International Academy of Family Psychology. Her presentation, titled “What’s Culture Got to Do with It? Exploring Parenting and Parent-Child Relationships during Adolescence,” was based on her years-long examination of parenting beliefs and practices. Read more about Dr. Buchanan’s research on the Wake Forest News website.

DR. DALZELL WINS UNDERGRADUATE IMPACT AWARD

Dr. Nicole Dalzell, Associate Teaching Professor of Statistical Sciences, received the prestigious Mu Sigma Rho Early Career Undergraduate Impact Award. This national award, presented by the National Statistics Honorary Society, Mu Sigma Rho, recognizes a faculty member who has made significant contributions to the success of undergraduate students in statistics.

DR. GREENE BENJAMIN NAMED REYNOLDS PROFESSOR OF AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES

The African American Studies Program is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Shanna Greene Benjamin as Reynolds Professor of African American Studies. Her intellectual leadership, innovative teaching, and mentorship greatly enhance the mission of African American Studies at Wake Forest. Read more about Dr. Greene Benjamin’s appointment on the African American Studies website. 

DR. ILTIS WINS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD FROM THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR BIOETHICS AND HUMANITIES

Congratulations to Dr. Ana Iltis, Carlson Professor of University Studies and Director of the Center for Bioethics, Health & Society, for receiving the 2025 Distinguished Service Award from the American Society for Bioethics + Humanities (ASBH). This honor recognizes her visionary leadership, influential scholarship, and deep commitment to advancing the field of bioethics and the mission of ASBH. 

DR. WILKINSON RECOGNIZED FOR EXTRAORDINARY MENTORSHIP

Dr. Betina Wilkinson, Associate Professor of Politics and International Affairs, received the 2025 Adaljiza Sosa-Riddell Mentor Award from the American Political Science Association (APSA). This prestigious honor recognizes her exemplary mentoring of undergraduate students and her lasting impact on the next generation of scholars.

In addition to winning the Adaljiza Sosa-Riddell Mentor Award, Dr. Wilkinson was also selected to serve on the APSA Council for the 2025-2028 term. View the announcement on the APSA website.

ZERWICK LAUNCHES “DOWN FROM DC” NEWSLETTER

Phoebe Zerwick, recently retired and former Director of the Journalism Program, and longtime journalist Natalie Jennings have co-founded Down from DC, a newsletter that analyzes and explains how federal policies and political developments will impact North Carolinians. Three former and current Journalism students are also contributing to the newsletter. Visit the Down from DC website to sign up and receive news posts twice a month in your inbox. 

Selected Events

BRADSHAW TO GIVE 2025 CARSWELL LECTURE IN PHILOSOPHY

The 2025 Carswell Lecture in Philosophy will take place on Thursday, Oct. 2, at 5 p.m. in the Philosophy Library, Tribble Hall B316. David Bradshaw, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Kentucky, will present his talk, “God and the Essence-Energies Distinction.” A detailed abstract can be found on the Philosophy Department website along with more information about the department’s Speaker Series.

WFU THEATRE PRESENTS NATIONAL “ENOUGH” ANTHOLOGY ON GUN VIOLENCE

Join WFU Theatre on Monday, Oct. 6, at 7 p.m. in the Ring Theatre, Scales Fine Arts Center, for a presentation of the “ENOUGH” anthology—a collection of six 10-minute plays that amplify the voices of young people profoundly affected by gun violence in their communities. This year’s anthology features works selected from hundreds of submissions to the annual playwriting competition hosted by “ENOUGH! Plays to End Gun Violence,” a national organization that uses theatre as a catalyst for gun violence prevention. This event is jointly sponsored by the Wake Forest University Department of Theatre & Dance and the theatre service organization Anthony Aston Players.

LAM MUSEUM TO HOST ANNUAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY CELEBRATION

Join the Lam Museum’s annual Indigenous Peoples Day celebration on Monday, Oct. 13, with a kid-friendly day of crafts and stories of how things came to be. Amanda Jacobs Ballard, a member of the Lumbee (Tuscarora and Waccamaw-Siouan) tribe of N.C. and indigenous storyteller, dancer, and artist, will be telling stories at the following times: 10 a.m., 12 p.m., and 2 p.m. Craft activities will also be available throughout the day.

HANES GALLERY TO HOST GRAND REOPENING CELEBRATION AND THE DARKNESS EXHIBITION

The Hanes Art Gallery will hold its reopening celebration and opening reception for The Darkness—an exhibition of recent works by Rudy Shepherd and Molly Kaderka—on Thursday, Oct. 16, from 5 to 8 p.m. The evening will feature a special live performance by Shepherd, Professor of Art, titled “The Induction Ceremony,” at 6 p.m. Learn more about the event and RSVP on the Hanes Art Gallery Website. 

AUTHOR DANA A. WILLIAMS TO DISCUSS TONI MORRISON’S EDITORIAL LEGACY AT HOMECOMING LECTURE

The Association for Wake Forest University Black Alumni (AWFUBA) and the Program in African American Studies invite the public to attend the 2025 AWFUBA/AAS Annual Homecoming Lecture featuring Dr. Dana A. Williams, author of Toni at Random: The Iconic Writer’s Legendary Editorship, on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 5 p.m.

Dr. Williams will be in conversation with Dr. Shanna Greene Benjamin, Reynolds Professor of African American Studies, and opening remarks will be given by Dr. Corey D. B. Walker, Dean of Wake Forest’s School of Divinity. Learn more information and register on the Wake Forest Events website.

AUTHOR LEAH NICOLE WHITCOMB TALKS GENDER DYNAMICS AND WEST AFRICAN MYTHOLOGY IN FALL COLLOQUIUM SERIES

The Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies department invites the public to attend the 2025 Fall Colloquium series featuring author and storyteller Leah Nicole Whitcomb on Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 12 p.m. on Zoom.

What can the downfall of Oba, a Yoruba deity, tell us about our crumbling society? In this keynote address, Whitcomb will share the tale of Oba, compare gender dynamics between West African and Western mythology, and reflect on which stories we need to leave behind as we journey from the end of this world into the start of the next one. The conversation will be moderated by Dr. Khaliah Reed, Assistant Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Wake Forest University. 

WFU THEATRE PRESENTS BASKERVILLE: A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY

What danger lurks on the moors? Does the new heir to the Baskerville estate need to fear a deadly curse? Can the great detective save the day? In this lively, comic retelling of Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Hound of the Baskervilles,” award-winning playwright Ken Ludwig creates a murderously funny adventure. 

Show dates and times are: Oct. 31 through Nov. 1 and Nov. 6 through Nov. 8, at 7:30 p.m. on the Tedford Stage, Scales Fine Arts Center.

Tickets go on sale on Wednesday, Oct.15.

See full calendar

About the Digest

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For more information about the College of Arts & Sciences at Wake Forest University, visit the College’s website at college.wfu.edu.

Faculty can find resources available on the College Faculty Guide website.