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Dr. Susan R. Wente

Memorable Moments


President Wente talks with colleagues during a Wednesdays with Wente lunch. These informal conversations enable small groups of faculty and staff to connect with President Wente and each other on a range of topics.

’24

President Wente addresses the crowd at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Brown Family Conservatory at Reynolda Gardens.

President Wente walks with the student leaders at the rainy start of Hit The Bricks in 2024.

President Wente fires up the crowd during the pep rally.

President Wente helps cut the ceremonial ribbon. Read more about the project.

President Wente tours space impacted by an ambitious renovation project for academic and classroom spaces on the Reynolda campus.

President Wente delivers her remarks to the crowd at Convocation in Wait Chapel on Aug. 23, 2024.

President Wente greets members of the Class of 2028 as they arrive on campus for the start of the 2024-25 academic year.

President Wente talks with colleagues during the annual Staff Appreciation Picnic in the Sutton Center on May 30, 2024.

President Wente congratulated graduates at Commencement on May 20, 2024, telling them in her address: “Do not forget, you have each shaped Wake Forest and the Wake Forest experience for others, too. Your class will always be distinctive in our college’s history.”

President Wente dances with the more than 1,000 guests at the biennial President’s Ball on April 12, 2024, at the Joel Coliseum.

President Wente addresses the crowd during the annual Founders Day event.

President Wente addresses Wake Forest University leadership, staff, alumni, and friends attending the ‘Framing Our Future’ event in Greensboro.

President Wente watches her candle get lit during the traditional Lovefeast ceremony. See her 2023 holiday greetings, and see the Lovefeast photostory below.

’23

President Wente joins students during the annual Lighting of the Quad ceremony.

On Nov. 16, 2023, President Wente delivered her presidential address.

President Wente kicked off a new video series in September of 2023 by walking and talking with associate professor Kristen Beavers. Find out more about the Walk with Wente series.

President Wente greets members of the Class of 2027 as they arrive on campus for the start of the 2023-24 academic year.

President Wente takes part in the ribbon cutting as part of the dedication of the McCreary Football Complex. See the photo story, and learn more about McCreary’s history gift.

President Wente congratulated graduates at Commencement on May 15, 2023, telling them in her address: “My message for you is simple. … Actually, I only have three words that I want you to carry from this moment and take out into the world: You are ready.” Relive the 2023 Commencement here.

President Wente welcomed guests to the annual Distinguished Alumni Award dinner in the Sutton Center.

Wake Forest’s speaker series brings important thinkers to campus to engage students and the community. President Wente and Wake Forest Fellow Molly Olson met with Kristin Chenoweth before this event in April 2023.

President Wente presents Reid Morgan (’75, JD ’79) with the Medallion of Meri, the University’s highest honor.

President Wente delivers remarks during the annual event honoring Martin Luther King. Wake Forest and Winston-Salem State have collaborated on the event for more than 20 years.

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President Wente raises a candle during the Lovefeast ceremony, a hallowed Wake Forest tradition.

’22

Wake Forest celebrated the inauguration of the University’s 14th President, Susan R. Wente, on March 25, 2022.

President Wente congratulated graduates at her first Wake Forest Commencement on May 16, 2022, telling them in her address: “You are entering a world that needs your expertise and knowledge, a world that craves your leadership and character.”

On Nov. 17, 2022, President Wente delivered her presidential address.

In the Wake Forest tradition of Presidential Balls, President Wente celebrated alongside faculty, staff, students and others from the Wake Forest community. Photos can be viewed here and here.

President Wente waves to the crowd as Party So Dear kicks off at Homecoming 2022.

President Wente cheers as the dedication ceremony recognizes the principal donors for the Shah Basketball Complex, the Caryl Guth Women’s Clubhouse and the Paul Family Men’s Clubhouse.

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President Wente arrives with the Demon Deacon on his motorcycle as campus rallies before the first football game of the 2022 season.

The Class of 2026 was officially welcomed into the Wake Forest family at New Student Convocation on Friday, August 19.

President Wente greets members of the Class of 2026 as they arrive on campus for the start of the 2022-23 academic year.

On November 19, 2021, Dr. Wente delivered her first presidential address as the 14th president of Wake Forest. In her remarks to a standing-room-only crowd, she shared about her journey of discovery, engagement, and initial observations.

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’21

President Wente walking with student organizers under the Hit the Bricks sign.

“It is truly an honor to experience one of Wake Forest’s finest traditions. Your gifts — the money you have raised, your support of those facing cancer and your commitment to seeing this through to a cure — are a remarkable testament to the spirit of Pro Humanitate that is alive on this campus,” said President Wente after her first “Hit the Bricks” event. The 2021 event, which raises money for the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund, set new records for participants, the number of teams and total money raised.