Welcome to the 2024 fall semester

Dear members of the Wake Forest community: 

Happy First Day of Classes! Whether you just moved into your residence hall for the first time or you have been a part of our community for decades, I am so glad you are here. 

The beginning of a new semester always brings a renewed sense of academic, creative, and intellectual energy. Your passions, talents, experiences, and questions breathe new life into our community each fall, and I have no doubt you will do great things – that’s what Wake Foresters do! As we embark on this academic year, I invite you to: 

Engage deeply in the academic life of our community. At Wake Forest, we strive to be a community of learning and of inquiry. Your engagement strengthens our community. So engage, get involved, and commit to excellence in research, learning, service, and civil discourse. 

Practice empathy daily. At New Student Convocation, I gave our newest Deacs an assignment: to practice empathy daily as they settle into our community. Let’s join them in doing so. Pay attention to the ways you can listen, notice, and help others. Opportunities to live out our motto – Pro Humanitate – can be found in even the smallest moments. 

Seek common ground. The excitement that comes with our new academic year is also situated within a broader context. The U.S. presidential election is on the horizon, and global conflicts and challenges continue. As such, it has never been more important for us to seek common ground with one another, to make more opportunities for dialogue, and to educate ourselves on important issues. I will continue to directly support initiatives that invite us to engage in these ways, such as Deacon Dialogues and the Divinity School’s Initiative on Religion, Pluralism and American Public Life. 

Take care. Wake Forest is so special because of our people – and the many ways we show care and support for one another. Remember to also take care of yourself, and to take advantage of resources for support when you need it (Students | Employees click “Care” for options). 

Part of taking care is resting and recharging, which is why I’m pleased to share that this year, the University will extend its winter break closure by three days for campus operations, from December 20 until January 6. I know we will all work hard together this semester, and when it ends, we will enjoy a much-deserved, longer break! 

I also hope you will join us for a momentous occasion in the life of our University this week as we celebrate KinderCare at WFU — Wake Forest’s first child care center. All are invited to attend an open house this Wednesday (Registration is encouraged!) and toast the dedication and advocacy that made this critical community resource possible. 

As I do each year, I invite you to engage with me directly and share your perspectives. Students, I hope to see you at a Gold and Black Chat with me and Dr. Shea Kidd Brown. Faculty and staff, please come for conversation and good food during a Wednesdays with Wente lunch. For monthly updates, subscribe to my blog, From Wente’s Desk. I also welcome invitations to visit classes, student organizations and departments; please reach out here to request a visit. And please save the date for my annual Presidential Address to the campus community on Thursday, Nov. 14, at 4 p.m. 

Wishing you a wonderful fall in the Forest. 

Sincerely, 

Susan R. Wente
President 
Distinguished University Professor of Biology and Biochemistry