Wake Forest's motto, Pro Humanitate, invites us to use our ideas, knowledge, talents and compassion to be catalysts for good.

Dr. Susan R. Wente

On July 1, 2021, Wake Forest welcomed its 14th president, Dr. Susan R. Wente. Like Wake Forest itself, Wente has a history of taking bold steps in education. She was selected not only for her exceptional reputation as an acclaimed academic and charismatic leader, but also for her vision of Wake Forest as a welcoming, inclusive community that will continue to make positive change in the world.

Wente is a renowned biomedical scientist who served as Vanderbilt’s provost and vice chancellor for seven years and interim chancellor for eleven months. She led Vanderbilt’s efforts to restructure the relationship between the university and its medical center, which affords her valuable insight into the recent partnership between Atrium Health and Wake Forest Baptist Health. Never far from the lab or classroom, Wente models Wake Forest’s distinctive teacher-scholar ideal and has continued to mentor and conduct research with undergraduates throughout her administrative career.

Strategic Framework

Wake Forest’s bicentennial year of 2034 is within sight. sustaining the University’s current success will require a strategic approach to leveraging recent investments and partnerships. We are at the beginning of an exciting journey for Wake Forest.


Engagement

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Events

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Welcome back

President Wente offers thoughts on the start of the Fall 2023 semester.


Save the Date

President Wente will deliver her 2023 Presidential Address on Thursday, Nov. 16, at 4 p.m.


Inauguration

President Wente’s inauguration ceremony was held March 25, 2022. Learn more »