Welcome to the 2025 fall semester

Dear Wake Forest community, 

Happy new (school) year, Wake Forest! As we begin this semester together, our campus is once again alive with energy and possibility. Seeing our students and faculty head to classes today never fails to renew my spirit and remind me of our “why” – offering a transformational education to every Wake Forest student in this caring and personal environment.

I’m also inspired by the momentum we’ve built together in recent years, reflected in exciting news and new funding strategies to strengthen and enhance our academic community.

As we launch the fall semester, our momentum is visible – tangible — in so many ways: 

• In Charlotte this July, we opened the second campus of Wake Forest University School of Medicine, which welcomed its first 48 students to the incredible, state-of-the-art facility embedded in The Pearl innovation district; 
• the Lilly Endowment awarded our Program for Leadership and Character a transformative $30 million grant to extend the work and reach of the Educating Character initiative;
• we welcomed Wake Forest’s first Boswell Presidential Chair of Neuroscience and Society, Dr. Ken Kishida, as we grow Neuroscience and Society as an academic area of distinction for the University; 
• And our partners Front Street Capital and Carter continue to advance critical infrastructure work at The Grounds, including the reopening of the newly realigned Deacon Boulevard and breaking ground on Creekside at The Grounds, a purpose-built student apartment community and the first vertical development within the 100-acre district. 

I hope you will read my latest blogpost for more about our momentum and the planning for investments in our academic mission. 

Even as we celebrate these and so many other achievements, I am mindful of the shifts shaping higher education nationally. When new federal policies and guidance are announced, our community may need to adjust. As we shared in March, we continue to evaluate the emerging policy developments and provide updates to the campus community. My commitment to you is that we will proceed with as much thoughtfulness and care as possible, keeping our people, our values, and our mission in focus.

As I travel around our community, state and nation, I always share how confident I am in Wake Forest’s ability to continue advancing our mission. Foremost in supporting my confidence is each and every one of you –  and our collective community — who bring Wake Forest to life. Your dedication – as students, faculty, and staff — moves us forward, while ensuring we stay true to who we are. 

Thank you for all that you do and all that you bring to this special community.

Warmly, 

Susan R. Wente
President