Parents & Families E-Newsletter, September 2026

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WakeParents & Families

E-newsletter from the Office of Family Engagement


Family Weekend is almost here!

Family Weekend is just around the corner, and the Family Weekend team asked me to share the following with you:

  • Family Weekend Check-In will be open on Friday, October 2 and Saturday, October 3. Check-in will take place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday. Saturday check-in will depend on game time and will close 2 hours before kickoff.
    • Your Family Registration includes visitor badges/credentials for up to 4 visiting family members, other activities and giveaways, and a game-day spirit pack and provides access to all signature Family Weekend campus activities; not to mention, families registered for the weekend are welcome to join their Deacons for food trucks, music, and fun at the tailgates before kickoff!
    • Family Weekend pre-registration ends Sunday, September 25th. Pre-registering is $50, whereas registering on-site will be $75. Save time and money by securing your spot now!
  • Please plan to join us for the Family Weekend Reception on Friday, Oct. 2 from 3-5 p.m. in the ZSR Library Atrium: Stop by the ZSR Library Atrium to connect with Campus Life leadership — including Vice President Shea Kidd Brown and Dean of Students Matt Clifford — and members of our Engagement team. Enjoy mocktails and small bites while mingling with the staff dedicated to enriching your student’s Wake Forest experience.
  • You won’t want to miss the Night of Student Entertainment on Friday, Oct. 2 from 7-8:30 p.m. on Manchester Plaza. Come join us to see the incredible talents of our Wake Forest student body. This year's tradition will feature a variety of musical and dance performances from some of our talented student organizations.
  • Football game time is typically announced 10 days before the game, so stay tuned to godeacs.com closer to game day.
    • Join us for our Family Weekend football game, when the Demon Deacons face Stanford on Saturday, Oct. 3 at Allegacy Financial Stadium! You can purchase tickets through GoDeacs.com.
    • Students receive free entry into the student section via the Screamin’ Demon Rewards App (claims open the Monday prior at noon), but families must buy a separate ticket if the student wants to sit with them.
  • The student tailgate area opens 3 hours before game time for Family Weekend. Family Weekend participants are welcome to join students at that time if they have a Family Weekend credential/visitor badge and a game ticket. Those without Family Weekend credentials but with a valid ticket may join the students when gates open for the game. Family Weekend credentials can be purchased at registration.
  • See the full schedule of Family Weekend events
  • The deadline to request a refund for Family Weekend has passed.
  • Have questions? Email familyweekend@wfu.edu and we’ll be happy to help!

We can’t wait to see all our Deac families in just a few weeks. Go Deacs!


Betsy Chapman, Ph.D. (’92, MA ’94)
Executive Director of Family Communications

Upcoming Dates & Deadlines*

September 15
Deadline to enroll or waive the Student Blue health insurance. Charges will remain due on student accounts after this deadline.

September 29
Last day to drop a full-term class

October 12-13
Fall Break

October 19
Academic advising period begins

October 27:
Last day to withdraw from fall term courses

* See the Academic Services calendar, which lists these and other key academic dates.

See Residence Life and Housing’s 2026-27 opening and closing dates for our residential communities.

Academics

From CLASS (Center for Learning, Access, and Student Success):

  • Join us for a CLASS Open House from 1- 3 p.m. on Friday, October 2 during Family Weekend! Stop by for refreshments, meet CLASS Staff, and learn about our peer tutoring, academic coaching, and disability services.
  • Encourage your students to attend Academic Resources Awareness Week events: Draft Your Academic Dream Team is coming October 19-23! From peer tutoring and help centers to academic coaching, ZSR research sessions, and more, Wake Forest offers a multitude of academic resources to help students along their learning journey. Students are encouraged to check out some or all of the great events planned this year, including our Academic Tailgate on Thursday, October 22!

Campus Life

Campus Employment: Learn and Earn in the Forest

  • Set Your Deac Up For Success: Getting a jump start on student employment can help your Deac build their resume and make connections. Melanie Hylton, Student Employment Manager, will be your student’s point of contact as they navigate the process. You can learn more about student employment in this Q&A with her. She’s ready to set your student up for success both on campus and in the future. It’s time to Learn and Earn in the Forest!

Campus Recreation

  • The Club Sports Jamboree is coming to Wake Forest during Family Weekend! On October 4th, many of our teams will host home games on campus.
  • Did you know that your Deac can become SCUBA certified right here on-campus? Registration is open now, with three mandatory sessions in our indoor pool.

Counseling

  • The University Counseling Center is open and available to students Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. On weekdays after 5:00 p.m., on weekends and holidays, and during university closures, crisis assistance is available anytime and from anywhere, by calling us at 336.758.5273.
  • This month, we are highlighting Let’s Talk. Let’s Talk is a counseling center program designed to engage students who may not otherwise come to counseling by providing informal, walk-in consultations with a mental health professional in collaboration with our campus partners. Let’s Talk is a non-clinical connection point with a mental health provider who can offer confidential consultation,resources, and referrals.

Personal and Career Development

  • Recruiting Season Is Here. Help Your Student Get in the Game: September kicks off the busiest stretch of the fall recruiting calendar, and your student's engagement now can shape opportunities for the rest of the year.
    • Encourage your student to attend The Fall Career Fair on Sept. 16 in Sutton Center. With over 60 employers registered, your student can research the employers in Handshake and learn about internship or full-time hiring opportunities. The fair is also an easy way for first-year and sophomore students to explore potential jobs, companies, and careers.
    • If your student is interested in accounting, consulting, or finance, recruiting moves fast. Some firms set application deadlines as early as sophomore year, so now is the time to get up to speed.
    • For more ways to help your student, visit opcd.wfu.edu/parents.

Executive Education

  • This fall, join Wake Forest Executive Education for four one-day leadership courses with proven tools to enhance leader performance, refine fundamental skills, and address various leadership challenges being faced in your organization: Executive Decision Making (Winston-Salem, Sept. 25), Maximizing Your Influence as a Leader (Winston-Salem, Oct. 30), Developing Others as a Leader (Charlotte, Nov. 20), and Leading Across Cultures and Generations. Explore the line up and Connect with us to learn more.

Student Health Insurance Program

  • September 15 is the deadline for students with alternative coverage to waive the Student Blue health insurance plan. After this deadline, students taking at least one on-campus credit will be enrolled in the plan and responsible for the $1,605 per-semester premium.
  • Students who enroll in the plan can take advantage of zero-cost health care services at Deacon Health. (Charges for x-rays and specialty medications may apply.)

Safety and Security

  • As we gear up for a safe and successful academic year, our Safety and Security team will be hosting a series of campus pop-up events throughout the month of September! These interactive pop-ups give students a chance to connect directly with security staff, pick up quick personal safety tips, register their valuable belongings, and learn about our emergency response resources. Encourage your Deacs to keep an eye out for our pop-up tents near student hubs across campus all month long.
  • We strongly encourage all students to download the Wake Safe app. Wake Safe turns any smartphone into a personal safety device, offering instant contact with campus security, quick access to emergency services, location-sharing features, and direct links to support resources.
  • Families should also download the WakeSafe app and enable notifications so you can receive campus security alerts.
  • September is also Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, and we want to remind families that mental health and physical wellness go hand in hand. College brings exciting opportunities along with new pressures, making peer and family support vital. We encourage parents to check in regularly with their students, stay attentive to sudden changes in mood or behavior, and normalize asking for help. Remind your student that support is always within reach—whether through our campus counseling services, via quick resource links inside the Wake Safe app, or by calling or texting 988 for the 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Residence Life and Housing

  • It’s the start of fall in The Forest! We hope your student is beginning to feel settled and at home, whether they’re new to The Forest or returning for another year. This month, we’re sharing reminders for living safely and healthily on campus, tips for navigating roommate dynamics, and ways families of #WFU30 can help their new Deacs get connected. Read our September Parent & Family Newsletter

Events and Athletics
  • From the School of Business: Make sure your student is aware of the upcoming opportunities to learn more about AI and how it is transforming industry:
    • “Solving Hard Problems with AI“ — Friday, Sept. 18, noon-1 p.m. with Dr. Justin Martin. Winston-Salem in-person or virtual. Students must pre-register.
    • School of Business AI Leadership Series: Lessons from an Advertising Agency Executive. Students must pre-register. Oct. 7, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

See the Events Calendar.

Financial Matters

Student Financial Services (SFS)

  • Have your Deacs be on the lookout for an email in the next couple of weeks if they haven’t provided their Tax Identification Number (TIN) or Social Security Number (SSN) to WFU. We are required to provide all students a complete 1098-T Tuition Tax Form each tax year, and the IRS requires that the TIN/SSN be included on this form.
  • 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.
  • Following the completion of the Fall billing cycle, Student Financial Services welcomes your input. Please share your thoughts by completing our SFS Post Survey.

Resources for Families

We want to make sure all families are aware of the many resources available online to help you:

  • What if my student needs to notify the school of an emergency? The Office of Academic Advising has a website about emergencies and what students should do to notify OAA and their faculty in those cases. You as parents and family members can submit a referral to we.wfu.edu or 336.758.CARE (2273) if there has been a family emergency so that your student can receive caring outreach and get connected with support.
  • 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