Babcock Residence Hall
Opened in 1961, Babcock Residence Hall is one of several standing tributes to the generosity and impact of the Reynolds family. It is named for Mary Reynolds Babcock, wife of Charles Henry Babcock and daughter of Richard Joshua Reynolds. With her husband, Mrs. Babcock donated more than 300 acres that became the modern campus of Wake Forest University. In 1959, six years after her death, the foundation created in her memory donated $50,000 that went toward the hall’s construction costs. The bee and flower icons on the building crest are emblematic of Mrs. Babcock’s devotion to gardening. Learn more about the hall here.
Famous Alumni: The list includes Olympic Gold medalist and NBA All-Star Most Valuable Player Chris Paul (’07), Olympic triathlete Greg Billington (’11) and Jane Cage (’78), the nationally acclaimed organizer of rebuilding efforts in Joplin, Mo., following a May 2011 tornado.
FACULTY FELLOWS
Encarna Turner
Senior Faculty Fellow
Associate Professor of the Practice, Department of Spanish
Encarna (she/her) loves Wake Forest sports and can be spotted faithfully at Spry Soccer Stadium. She also enjoys traveling, cooking, attending country music concerts with her daughter, and having a quiet evening with her husband and their puppy. She teaches elementary and intermediate Spanish and Spanish for Business courses.
Rian Bowie
Associate Faculty Fellow
Associate Teaching Professor, Department of English
Rian (she/her) teaches American literature courses and serves as a lower-division advisor. When not prepping for class or meetings, she loves reading, watching bad reality television, and playing with her dogs, Finn and Zuri. Watch for their guest appearances around Babcock!
Michael Kamtman
Associate Faculty Fellow
Assistant Teaching Professor, Department of Theatre and Dance
A professional actor and director, Michael (he/him) has played many Shakespearean roles. He teaches performance classes (including acting and stage combat) and Introduction to Theatre. He also loves to juggle. He and his wife Leslie grow veggies and plants in their backyard. Their family includes their son, Jeremiah, and four cats (Atticus, Hermione, Gwendolyn, and Cecily).
John MacDonald
Associate Faculty Fellow
Associate Teaching Professor, Department of Economics
John MacDonald is a graduate of Wake Forest University (BA ’95) and an Associate Teaching Professor in the Economics Department. He’s been teaching Microeconomic Theory and American Economic Development at WFU since 2005, and has a passion for economic history in general and transportation issues in particular. He’s been a lower division advisor, the faculty advisor to Mortar Board, and a Faculty Fellow for Babcock Residence Hall. If you venture off campus on the weekends, there’s a good chance you’ll find him walking through Buena Vista, dining at the Village Tavern, or simply relaxing on his porch with his Demon Deacon wife and some combination of their five children.