WakeParents & Families
E-newsletter from the Office of Family Engagement
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View the photostory of the Lighting of the Quad and the Lovefeast.
Deac families, the semester is nearly at an end: finals conclude on Saturday, Dec. 13 and our residential communities will close at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14. Whenever your Deacs come home to you, I wish them rest, relaxation, and renewal over Winter Break.
As a reminder, Wake Forest administrative offices will be closed December 22-January 2 for the holidays. Our After Hours Help page will connect you to resources if you have an urgent need that cannot wait until we reopen on January 5.
Duke’s Mayo Bowl: After a historic regular season that saw first-year Head Coach Jake Dickert earn a program-record eight wins, the Deacs’ bowl destination is set! Wake Forest football will face Mississippi State in the 2026 Dukes Mayo Bowl on Friday, Jan. 2, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
- Thanks to the generosity of Deacon Club members, student tickets are just $30 using promo code MAYO26.
- All student ticket holders will also receive complimentary access to the official Wake Forest pregame tailgate at Clutch Kitchen & Pour House from 4:30-7:30 p.m.
- Registration details will be coming soon (to include how to purchase tickets with parents/family members). Plan to join us at the bowl game and help turn Bank of America Stadium Old Gold & Black to kick off the new year!
I wish your family many joyous moments of togetherness over the holidays, and I’ll see you in the New Year!
Go Deacs!
Betsy Chapman, Ph.D. (’92, MA ’94)
Executive Director of Family Communications
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Upcoming Dates & Deadlines*
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Jan. 6
Sorority recruitment early arrivals (students should follow instructions sent to them later this fall by Residence Life and Housing)
Jan. 9
Move-in for students moving on to campus for the first time this academic year (e.g., students who were abroad in the fall); move-in is between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Jan. 10
Residential communities open at 9 a.m. for all students to return
Jan. 12
FDOC (First Day of classes)
* See the Academic Services calendar , which lists these and other key academic dates.
See Residence Life and Housing’s opening and closing dates for our residential communities.
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Academics
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From Undergraduate Summer Session:
- The Summer Session website has been updated with information for Summer 2026, providing all the details you need to consider the exciting benefits our courses offer your student.
- Registration for Summer 2026 opens March 16, so your students have months to carefully review our course list and select classes that meet their needs. Please contact us with any questions that arise as you and your student prepare for a productive summer ahead.
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Campus Life
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University Counseling Center (UCC)
- The University Counseling Center will be closed during the University closure from Friday, Dec. 19, at 3 p.m. until Monday, Jan. 5, at 8:30 a.m. During this time, students can access our after hours crisis counselor-on-call by calling our office at 336.758.5273.
- The University Counseling Center (UCC) offers voluntary, short-term clinical assessment, consultation, and counseling/psychotherapy for Wake Forest students on the Reynolda Campus in a confidential setting. All initial appointments for the academic year are scheduled on a same-day basis. Students are encouraged to call the UCC on the day they would like to be seen in order to schedule a same-day appointment.
Deacon Health
- Important info for families of transfer students starting at Wake Forest in January 2026: While your student does not need a physical to attend Wake Forest, students need to be up to date on the list of required vaccines. Incoming transfer students need to complete the health information and immunization forms (HIIF) available in their Deacon Health Portal by January 8. You will want to allow ample time for your student to get needed vaccines and get their documentation from their physician, so plan appropriately.
Housing and Dining
- The holiday season is here, and soon many of our Deacs will be making their way home. As we approach Winter Break, we want to share helpful reminders to support you and your student as they prepare for time away from campus and look ahead to the Spring 2026 semester.
Personal and Career Development
- Winter Break is a perfect time for your student to advance their career development goals in a low-stress environment. We encourage dedicating a moderate amount of time to strategic activities, such as refining professional materials and leveraging our curated online resources for crucial skill development.
- The current job and internship market is quite active, so students should check Handshake for new postings and consider submitting early applications (in advance of the deadline), giving them a head start for spring. Winter Break also is an ideal time to encourage meaningful networking conversations with family friends. Small, consistent efforts now can lead to great gain in their future.
- Learn more about how families can support their student's career journey.
Transportation and Parking
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Events and Athletics
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Athletics
- Men’s and Women’s Basketball Season Tickets are still available and can be purchased at visit GoDeacs.com or by calling the ticket office at 336-758-3322.
- Secure your spot in Deactown for the 2026 football season by signing up for season ticket auto-renewal, placing a $50 deposit for season tickets or by purchasing a Built in the Dark season ticket for just $99.
See the Events Calendar.
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Financial Matters
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Student Financial Services
- Payment for Spring semester tuition and fees was due on December 1. To view your student’s balance and submit an online payment, you can visit the Workday portal.
- There is still time to enroll in the GradGuard Tuition Insurance Plan for Spring 2026. This low-cost plan helps to minimize the financial loss when a student withdraws due to accident or illness. This plan ensures up to a 100% refund for tuition, fees, housing, and meal plans in case of withdrawal. You can do the following to enroll: Log into Workday > Go to Student Financials for Third Party > Go to Make a Payment as a Third Party > Follow the prompts and click the Make a Payment link > Once in QuikPay, go to to Tuition and Fee Protection > Follow the prompts and submit payment.
- Wake Forest encourages students to sign up for Direct Deposit, as doing so provides students with a convenient and secure way to access their funds faster.
- Each year by January 31, Wake Forest makes available an IRS Form 1098-T to all students who had qualified tuition and other related educational expenses billed to them during the previous calendar year. Once this form is available, your student can access it online in the Student Financials hub on Workday.
Student Financial Aid
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Resources for Families
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We want to make sure all families are aware of the many resources available online to help you:
- Has your student had an illness, or other family or medical emergency? See guidelines from the Office of Academic Advising on how to notify Wake Forest.
- The Parents and Families Page is your portal to news and information specifically for Wake Forest families.
- The Daily Deac is our blog for parents, family members, grandparents, or anyone who wants to receive it. It’s a great way to get a snapshot of life at Wake Forest, plus news, tips, and advice on supporting your student. Subscribe to the Daily Deac here.
- Any emails that are sent to all students, faculty, and staff are archived on the Family News website.
- See our Who to Contact for... page if you need to contact a particular department. If you have an urgent need to reach someone at the University because you have an urgent concern that cannot wait until the next business day, please see our After Hours Help page.
- Contact the Office of Family Engagement at parents@wfu.edu or 336.758.4237.
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Wake Forest University
The Office of Family Engagement
1834 Wake Forest Road
Winston-Salem, NC 27109
1.800.752.8568
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