WakeParents & Families
E-newsletter from the Office of Family Engagement
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Peter Rodriguez named 15th president of Wake Forest University.
Shortly after we sent the May issue of this e-newsletter, we got some big news: the Board of Trustees announced the appointment of Peter Rodriguez as our 15th President. A distinguished economist and transformative academic leader, Rodriguez currently serves as the dean of Rice University’s School of Business, which includes the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business and the Virani Undergraduate School of Business.
“The Presidential Search Committee unanimously agreed that Peter Rodriguez was the best choice to lead Wake Forest into its third century,” said Jeanne Whitman Bobbitt (’79, MBA ’87), co-chair of the Presidential Search Committee and chair of the Board of Trustees. “During the search process, we came to know Dr. Rodriguez as a scholar and an intellectually capable, avid learner and researcher. He is a leader of principle, character and kindness who has the mind and temperament for the complexities of modern higher education.”
We look forward to welcoming President Rodriguez to campus in July, and thank President Wente for all she has accomplished during her tenure.
In other news, we are working hard on plans for Family Weekend 2026, which is set for October 2-4. Here are some key things to know about Family Weekend:
- Event registration will open on July 15th at 10 a.m.
- Weekend highlights include exploring campus on Friday and enjoying the Night of Student Entertainment; going to the student tailgate and the big game against Stanford at Allegacy Stadium on Saturday; enjoying Farewell Brunch on Sunday, and much more!
- The football game time will be released around 10 days before the game. Tickets for the Family Weekend game are available at godeacs.com.
- Do I need a ticket for my student? Students can get a free ticket to sit in the students’ football section with the Screamin’ Demon Rewards app (ticket claims open at noon the Monday before the game). If your student wants to sit with you, you will need to purchase a ticket for your student.
- More information about the schedule will be available at familyweekend.wfu.edu in early July. For now, mark your calendars and plan to order your event tickets on July 15th.
Exciting days ahead for Wake Forest! 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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July 2
Bills for fall semester will begin to show up in Workday for Third Party Payers
July 7-August 8
Summer Session II
July 15 at 10 a.m.
Family Weekend event registration opens
August 1
Fall semester tuition due
August 13
Move-In for ’30 students and transfer students accepted to Wilderness to Wake and Marching Band Pre-Orientations only
August 14
Move-In for ’30 students and transfer students accepted to all other Pre-Orientation programs
August 18
Move-In for ’30 students and transfer students who are not doing Pre-Orientation programs
August 18-19
Family Orientation activities for P’30 families (schedule to be released in July)
August 21-22
Continuing Student Move-In (i.e., sophomores, juniors, and seniors)
August 23
Last day to purchase optional tuition insurance
August 24*
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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Welcome, P’30! (parents & families of the Class of 2030)
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- Required Laptop: Your student must have a laptop. Review the WakeWare official program (which includes a four-year on-campus warranty) and buy through the University Bookstore or see the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) requirements for an existing laptop to make sure your student’s laptop needs are covered before move-in.
- Note: Remind your student to check the Financial Aid Portal; some students qualify for a technology grant to cover the cost of a standard WakeWare model.
- Critical Deadline for new students: Immunization and Health Forms due July 1. By this date, incoming students must have uploaded all required documentation and forms in their Deacon Health Portal:
- IMPORTANT: Please remind your Deacs to check their secure messages in the Deacon Health Portal to ensure they are not missing any emails about their uploaded documentation. Sometimes students think simply uploading the required documentation is all they need to do. Some students do have errors that affect their compliance with NC immunization requirements, so please ask them to check their Deacon Health Portal messages.
- FYIs re: Move-In:
- P’30s, continue to reference the Family Checklist regularly to ensure you are taking care of all required parent/family tasks.
- Miss any of our Tuesday messages to new families? Read them here.
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Academics
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From Undergraduate Summer Session:
- Students haven’t missed their chance to maximize your summer productivity. Summer Session II registration is still active! Encourage them to make their move before these deadlines:
- June 30: Applications due for New & Visiting Students.
- July 7: Session II classes begin.
- July 9: Registration closes for Current Deacs in Workday.
- Students can contact us with any questions to help finalize their summer plans.
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Campus Life
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Campus Recreation
- Is your Deac a former high school varsity athlete? It’s never too early to think about how Club Sports might fit into their Wake Forest experience. Check out our list of active Club Sports!
Deacon Health
- Deacon Health will be students’ primary care providers for the 4 years they are with us. Deacon Health is a primary care clinic with an on-site pharmacy, lab, and X-ray. Our doctors and staff are licensed, certified, and eager to care for your students.
- Here are some important reminders from Deacon Health for students as they prepare to come to campus in August:
- If your student takes prescriptions, have them work with their local providers to transfer them to Deacon Health.
- If your student has a chronic illness, encourage them to make a baseline appointment with Deacon Health once they arrive.
- Make sure they have a copy of their insurance card or a picture of it on their phone (front and back of the card).
Counseling
- The University Counseling Center continues to be a support to students who desire to talk to a professional about a multitude of things throughout the summer months. We offer same-day scheduling for virtual or in-person appointments during office hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We also offer an after-hours counselor-on-call after 5:00 p.m. on weekdays and 24 hours a day on weekends and university holidays/closures.
- Due to licensure restrictions, we are only able to offer therapy services to students who are in the state of North Carolina. For students located outside of North Carolina, we offer case management and referral support to assist with finding providers in other areas.
- June is Men’s Mental Health Month! Men’s Mental Health Month is a time to break the stigma and highlight the unique barriers men face regarding mental health. Please follow our Instagram for more information and content!
Housing and Dining
Personal and Career Development
- Whether your student just crossed the stage in May, is getting prepared for their first year, or is gearing up for another year on campus, summer offers a fantastic time to think about what’s next. To support your Deac, the career teams remain fully open all summer long. We stand ready to partner with your student right now.
- We provide wonderful resources tailored for every stage of their journey. Students can explore virtual job simulations, earn certifications, or complete critical preparation for studying abroad this fall.
- Explore our resources at the OPCD Parents website.
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Events and Athletics
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Athletics
See the Events Calendar.
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Financial Matters
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Student Financial Services (SFS)
Student Financial Aid
- Continuing students (i.e., ’27s, ’28s, and ’29s) who have applied for 2026-27 academic year financial aid should begin to check their Wake Forest email beginning in early July for notification of financial aid eligibility. Notifications will continue throughout July. Students can check their Financial Aid Portal to ensure that all requested application materials have been received, and contact finaid@wfu.edu with any questions.
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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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