Do You Know?

By Tresa Jalot

Do you know that Archie Bunker lived in Wake Forest? Well, not really … Archie Bunker was just a television character. However, the actor who played him, Carroll O’Connor, was once a student at Wake Forest College.

Do you know a humble golfer by the name of Arnold Palmer? Well, he was a student here too. Everyone always wants to know what famous people once lived here. But the really important ones are the everyday people who have helped shape Wake Forest into the community it is today. We need everyday people like you to help shape this community’s future.

A good way to learn how is to take part in Leadership Wake Forest, conducted by the Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce. This program is one-stop shopping for someone who wants to learn more about Wake Forest and how to get more involved in the community.

To build a town’s future, you must first learn about its past. Ever wonder why Wake Forest College left town after 122 years? During sessions that run from September to December, you’ll find out more about the town and its history, and not just stories … you get to tour historic sites as you learn about them. If you live in Heritage, you’ll even find out the significance of many of the street names in the neighborhood. 

Do you know your local elected officials? Leadership Wake Forest introduces you to them, face-to-face. It’s a good thing too, because you may need their help as you plan a fictional town budget. This program is not about sitting in a classroom and hearing lectures. Rather, Leadership Wake Forest is interactive and hands-on. The Class of 2005 will participate in team-building exercises and take on a service project as a group.
Want to know who the town’s movers and shakers are? You’ll get the opportunity for roundtable discussions with community, business, and education leaders.

Leadership Wake Forest has a limited class size to protect the program’s quality and value. It does require a time commitment during weekday evenings, but it’s worth it. And with tuition at only $350, including dinner, it’s quite a bargain too. 

This wonderful town we call home may have inspired Carroll O’Connor’s distinctly southern character on In the Heat of the Night, and you can imagine the greens and fairways of Wake Forest inspired Arnold Palmer to perfect his swing. Can this town inspire you to be a leader?

For more information on Leadership Wake Forest, contact the Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce at 556-519.

Tresa Jalot is deputy director of the Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at tresa@wakeforestchamber.org or 556-1519. 
Visit the Chamber’s website at <www.wakeforestchamber.org>.