Season’s joy and winter’s rest

Happy holidays to all! And congratulations on another exceptional semester!

I sincerely hope that each and every one of you is wrapping up the semester with high hopes, and maybe a little bit of relief, and is looking forward to an extended winter break that brings rest, fellowship, and joy. 

As I reflect on this fall semester of 2024, I find inspiration in the joyful moments I have shared with so many of you. Just this week, many of us gathered in Wait Chapel for one of our most treasured traditions at Wake Forest, the 60th annual Lovefeast. Lovefeast reminds us that joy is found not only in the big moments during the winter season but also in the especially powerful small moments of connection with others. Those moments – of shared excitement and laughter, of smiles lit up by the glow of passed candlelight – are the magic of the season, and the heart of our community of care at Wake Forest. 

I experienced joy this year in the many kind exchanges that I have been part of at Wednesdays with Wente lunches with faculty and staff and at Pitsgiving with our students. I am grateful for the many opportunities that I have had to share a meal, to find common ground and to share your love of this special place. 

I found joy in engaging with you during my annual Presidential address and at the reception that followed last month. As we continue through this year of investments and actions, I was heartened by how many of you commented on Wake Forest’s momentum toward a bright future. 

And, just two days following the address, faculty, staff and students gathered to volunteer for our neighbors in Western North Carolina during our Community Day of Action. The joy that comes in service to one’s community is at the heart of our mission and our motto – and a true inspiration for me as President. 

I also had the great fortune to share in your joy when I witnessed your successes! In the stands at the finale of the women’s soccer team’s historic season (and I could not be prouder of all the team accomplished this year); in the quiet beauty of the Hanes Art Gallery, learning from our exceptional Art students as they guided me through this year’s acquisitions; and with our incredible faculty and staff and they celebrated work anniversaries – as many as 50 years of unmatched service to the Wake Forest community! 

As we enter this winter break, I am deeply grateful for these joyful moments – the small, human moments that make us a community. For some, joy can be easy to find during the holiday season. For some, even with as much revelry as the winter holidays can bring, this time of year can be dark, cold, and difficult. My sincerest wish is that joy can be a light to support all and that each of us in the Wake Forest community will share and receive the warmth, the joy, of genuine connection in this holiday season; and my best wishes for a restful, peaceful winter break.