Top of page

Dr. Wente’s Professional Why

Presidential Address; Nov. 20, 2025 Thank you, Lexi. Good afternoon, and I thank you for being here today. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to speak to you in my final Annual Address as Wake Forest’s 14th President.  Leading Wake Forest University is not a […]

Categories: Speeches


Walk with Wente: Mark Curtis

President Wente walks and talks with Mark Curtis, Reynolds Professor of Economics and Chair of the Economics Department, about the challenges of designing policies that both address environmental outcomes and promote economic growth. He shares how his experience working with a non-profit providing microcredit in Peru shaped his career and why he is so passionate about engaging students in current issues. Curtis said, “The biggest impact we have is on the students we are teaching and motivating [them] to go on and make a difference in the world.”

Categories: Walk with Wente


Walk with Wente: Kyana Young

President Wente walks and talks with associate professor Kyana Young about engineering research, hands-on learning and how her students are making meaningful contributions to community projects focused on water quality. Dr. Young said: “As engineers, it is our responsibility not just to provide the technical solution, but also to consider the ethical components.”

Categories: Walk with Wente


Walk with Wente: Lina Benabdallah

President Wente walks and talks with Lina Benabdallah about China’s rise as a superpower, its influence in Africa and what that means for international relations. Dr. Benabdallah challenges her students to think beyond stereotypes about Africa and says she likes to keep an “open door between research and teaching.”

Categories: Walk with Wente


Leading with character and integrity, for humanity

Character is forged in challenge, and integrity defines how we respond. Leading with character and integrity — especially at Wake Forest — means embracing what is distinctly human: community, creativity, and optimism. And my time as President of Wake Forest has only reinforced my belief […]

Categories: From Wente's Desk


A message from President Wente

Dear Wake Forest community:  With a sense of gratitude and optimism, I write today to share a personal decision. After considerable reflection, I have decided to conclude my presidency on June 30, 2026, at the end of my fifth year. Following a sabbatical, I plan […]

Categories: Emails


Walk with Wente: Ken Kishida, PhD

President Wente walks and talks with Dr. Kishida about how the brain works and his research focused on big questions about consciousness and choice. They discuss his collaborations with both neurosurgeons and humanities faculty… and his love for the movie The Matrix.

Categories: Walk with Wente


Stay in Touch

Follow or Mention

View recent posts »

Share a Message

Fill out this form to send a message to President Wente.

Subscribe

Receive the “From Wente’s Desk” blog posts in your inbox.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Archives