“New York Times” journalist shares experience in Middle East Page 4
LettertotheEditor:Administrators need to consider student safety Page 10
World Series tied at 1-1 Page 15
Fun ways to celebrate Halloween on campus Page 16
Old Gold&Black
C E L E B R AT I N G 1 0 0 Y E A R S O F WA K E F O R E S T ’ S S T U D E N T N E W S PA P E R T H U R S D AY, O C T O B E R 2 7 , 2 0 1 6
VOL. 100, NO. 26
“Cover s the campus like the magnolias”
www.wfuogb.com
University raises mental health awareness Graphic by Julia Haines/Old Gold & Black
The Thrive initiative addresses the stigma surrounding mental health and wellbeing on college campuses BY KELLIE SHANAGHAN Contributing Writer shanke15@wfu.edu She sat cross-legged on the floor, her arm unconsciously crossing her chest in a protective gesture, massaging her right shoulder. The setting sun reflected off of Wait Chapel through the window as she began to tell her story of anxiety and depression. Senior Sydney Whitcomb’s depression began in high school. At the time, she did not seek help because she was unable to communicate or even understand why she was depressed.
In the spring of 2015, during her sophomore year at Wake Forest, Whitcomb experienced the death of a close friend from suicide. This was the tipping point, causing her mental health to slip further from her control. Yet, she still did not seek the help she needed. “I had a stigma,” Whitcomb said, “I didn’t want people to think that I was depressed to gain attention.” Nearly one in every five adults, or 42.4 million Americans, has a diagnosable mental health condition. The Thrive initiative at Wake Forest works to promote awareness and eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health. This week’s Signs of Stress campaign teaches the Wake Forest community about recognizing signs of emotional suffering in others and yourself. Hoping to
encourage students, such as Whitcomb, to reach out. “The Signs of Stress campaign is an opportunity for us to promote and normalize that people do experience emotional stress” said Malika Roman Isler, Director of Wellbeing. Daily mental health screenings for anxiety and depression were held this week on Manchester Plaza. On other days there was also an inflatable slide, art therapy, a petting zoo and massages. All activities were aimed at stress relief. Several students expressed that although they know mental health is important, they would not want to participate out of fear that even taking a screening indicated that something was wrong with their mental health.
See Health, Page 5
Former Old Gold & Black reporter wins third place award Buck Hinman (‘16) won third place for Reporter of the Year from the Associated Collegiate Press BY HEATHER HARTEL Asst. News Editor harthf15@wfu.edu Buck Hinman, a former Old Gold & Black reporter, was awarded third place for the Reporter of the Year award at the Associated Collegiate Press Awards Ceremony this year in Washington, D.C. His reporting on the story about the women’s volleyball coach Ken Murczek titled “Coach denies ongoing
claims of abuse” shook the campus last year and ultimately resulted in the coach’s resignation. The story focused on Coach Murczek’s abusive treatment of the members of the women’s volleyball team. Hinman’s reporting noted his consistent patterns of psyological and verbal abuse to the women on the team. Although the reporting and the article were a combined effort by the entire Old Gold & Black team, Hinman’s dedication to the story and journalistic skills were rightly recognized by the awards committee. “This piece was not a one-person effort. This investigation would not have been possible without the help
of Will Braun and the amazing editorial staff at the Old Gold & Black,” Hinman said. “I am honored to receive this award. I’m totally shocked!” Hinman graduated from Wake Forest with a major in communications and two minors in journalism and music. On campus, he was involved with the newspaper, interned at WFDD Radio, was a Resident Adviser and had a show on Wake Radio. Currently, Hinman is a morning producer for Channel 13 ABC News, based in Toledo, Ohio. His involvement with broadcast media during his years at Wake Forest prepared him for an impressive start in the world of media.