Bowles, Simpson to Discuss Deficits, Debt at Wake Forest

Photo: UNC-Chapel Hill

Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson, who co-chaired the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, are set to speak next month at Wake Forest University.

The pair will participate in the "Voices of Our Time" series, according to The (Triad) Business Journal. The event, set for Wait Chapel, will start at 6 pm on Tuesday, Sept. 25. Bowles and Simpson are expected to discuss the U.S. deficit and the debt crisis.

Bowles is a Democrat who serves as chief of staff under President Bill Clinton, while Simpson is a former Republican Senator from Wyoming. They supervised an ultimately unsuccessful effort to create a bipartisan plan to cut the U.S. deficit. Both have advocated for big tax increases and meaningful spending reductions.

Bowles made media waves recently when a 2011 video surfaced of him praising a deficit-reduction plan by Paul Ryan, the Republican Party's vice president candidate. In the video, posted below, he touts Ryan's "amazing" mathematics skills and praises his financial plan.

Wake Forest Welcomes Biggest MA Class

The Wake Forest University Schools of Business recently welcomed its largest Master of Arts in Management (MA) class since launching the program in 2006.

The incoming class features 115 students from 63 undergraduate institutions. Slightly more than half of the new students are women, while 48% are men, according to a Tuesday press release. More than a third of the students are from historically underrepresented groups.

The 10-month MA program is designed for recent liberal arts, sciences or engineering graduates. Wake Forest provided 13 students from underrepresented groups with Corporate Fellowships, which include full tuition, a stipend for living expenses and personal mentoring by an executive at a sponsoring company.

"Throughout the program, we encourage students to 'find their fire' and explore how to leverage their passions into meaningful careers," Steve Reinemund, the Dean of the Wake Forest University Schools of Business, said in the release. "We want every student to walk across stage at graduation having already accepted a job with an organization that shares their personal values."

Sponsors for the incoming MA class are American Express, Cigna, ExxonMobil, Flow Cos., Frito-Lay, Hanesbrands, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, PepsiCo, Reynolds American, Steelcase and Walmart.

Wake Forest to Host MBA Golf Tournament in Charlotte

Photo: www.charlotte.weddings.com

Think you have what it takes to tame a tough golf course and impress your fellow business school colleagues?

Wake Forest University will hold its annual Charlotte MBA golf tournament on Sept. 28 at River Run Country Club in Davidson, NC. The format is traditional scramble and teams will be chosen randomly by handicap. Participants wishing to play with a partner may submit that partner's name on the entry form.

The entry fee for current students is $75 per person; alumni, staff and guests can play for $85 per person. Mulligans are $10 (maximum of two per person.) Fees include lunch, green fees, cart fees and range balls.

Sponsorships are also available. A gold level sponsorship of $1,250 includes your company logo on the website and handouts, hold signs and registration for a foursome. Silver level sponsorships of $300 includes a hole sign and registration for two players. Bronze level sponsorships of $150 get you a hole sign.

Proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte.

To register, visit here.

First Ever Homecoming Button Contest

Photo: Wake Forest University

Have you ever had a fantastic idea for a Homecoming Button slogan?

Wake Forest University's Alumni Office is looking for aspiring wordsmiths who are willing to display their school pride. Here is your chance to enter the university's inaugural Homecoming Button Contest!

Three Simple Rules for Entering the Contest:

There is a maximum of four homecoming-themed slogans per person.

Slogans should contain less than six words, express Wake Forest/Demon Deacon spirit, and be family-friendly. (No inappropriate language, please.)

Entry deadline is Friday, Aug. 24. The winning slogan will be selected by a committee.

The winning button will be distributed over Homecoming Weekend at the Welcome Desk, Alumni Tailgate, and other campus locations.

You can enter your slogan(s) by clicking here.

Alumni Events Planned for New York

Wake Forest Connects has unveiled several third-quarter events for alumni in the New York area.

On Thursday, Aug., 23, the group will host a summer happy 'hour' that will last from 6:30-8 pm at Brother Jimmy's. The venue is located at 116 E. 16th Street in New York. There will be discounted drink specials, including half-priced margaritas and $3 draft, can and well drinks. Food will also be available for purchase. They want people to register by Aug. 16 at this link.

Two weeks later, on Sept. 9, the New York group will participate in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Central Park. It is the group's fourth straight year of participation! Last year the New York group placed fifth overall for top fundraising universities. Contributions will fund national peer-reviewed breast cancer research programs and breast health services in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester and Rockland counties. 

The group will select a location for a post-race brunch for all interested participants. Friends, family and supporters are all welcome. To join our team, or contribute to the cause please visit their team page.

Elevator Competition Winner to Present at Tech Event

Orthovative Technologies, a company that was co-founded by a student in Wake Forest University's Evening Professionals MBA program and won this year's Elevator Competition, will participate in the 11th annual technology briefing of the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce.

The company was founded by David Smitherman and Tadhg O'Gara, a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon and and assistant professor at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. 

Orthovative Technologies is the firm behind the OrthoCorrect Patch, which monitors patient posture and provides auditory and vibratory corrective feedback to strengthen back muscles and eliminate back pain.

Orthovative won $10,000 at the 2012 Elevator Competition, participating in the Traditional track. The firm also received automatic entry into the Venture Labs Investment Competition.

The briefing is scheduled to take place at 8 am on Sept. 20 at the Benton Convention Center.

Click here to learn more about the Chamber of Commerce's tech briefing. Below is a video from Orthovative Technologies.

Hatch to Chair NCAA Board

Photo: Wake Forest University

The NCAA Division I board of directors has elected Nathan O. Hatch, the president of Wake Forest University, as its chairman.

The election took place today during the board’s first meeting of the 2012-2013 academic year. Effective immediately, the position is a two-year term that runs through August 2014.

“This is truly a transformative time in college athletics and Division I sports,” Hatch said in a press release. “The NCAA has taken up the challenge to raise academic standards, streamline its enforcement process, and ensure the well-being of student athletes. I am honored to be selected chair of this important body as we seek to address these important issues and work to uphold the ideals of collegiate athletics.”

The Division I board of directors is comprised of 18 presidents and chancellors representing different Division I conferences. Under the chair’s leadership, the board directs the affairs of the entire division and has final authority on all Division I matters.

Hatch became Wake Forest's president in July 2005. He has represented the ACC on the NCAA Division I Board of Directors since April 2010 and has served on the executive cmmittee since August 2010. He was also appointed to the Division I Bowl Licensing Task Force in May 2011.

Hatch is also the chair of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) and recently served on the board of the American Council on Education. As a board member of the United Way of Forsyth County, he also served as chairman of the 2010 United Way Campaign.