WakeParents & Families
E-newsletter from the Office of Family Engagement
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Daffodils bloom near the first-year residence halls behind the ZSR Library.
Spring Break has just finished, but Spring is starting to show itself on our beautiful campus with a profusion of daffodils and other flowers that will be emerging over the coming weeks.
For our families with students graduating in May, we want to share the following Commencement details with you:
- Award-winning journalist Scott Pelley will deliver the University’s commencement address on Monday, May 19. The ceremony will take place on Hearn Plaza and begins at 9 a.m. Pelley has been reporting for the CBS News program “60 Minutes” for more than 20 years. Also joining Wake Forest for the commencement weekend will be Baccalaureate speaker Reverend Emma Jordan-Simpson, president of Auburn Theological Seminary. Find full details at the Commencement website.
- All students expected to graduate in May 2025 have been sent a registration link with the option to register for Commencement tickets and Baccalaureate tickets. Students must order tickets for their guests by May 15 at 5 p.m. (though we encourage them to order sooner). Tickets will be available for download on May 1 (details about how to download their electronic tickets will be sent to students via email on May 1).
- Students who complete their ticket registration can order up to 8 guest tickets for the University Commencement ceremony on the Quad (9 a.m. Monday, May 19) and up to 2 tickets for Baccalaureate (11 a.m. Sunday, May 18); students do not need to have a ticket for themselves if they are planning to march in the student processional for each ceremony.
- Please encourage your student to order their Commencement regalia as soon as possible. Shipping can take up to four weeks, and orders ship in the order they are received. A limited number of caps and gowns will be available for purchase at the Bookstore.
- See the Commencement details email sent to all graduating families.
Towards the end of the month, Admissions decisions will go out to students who applied Regular Decision, and we are eager to welcome the newest members of the Class of 2029 to the Wake Forest family!
Wishing your students a wonderful second half of the semester. 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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March 17*
March 21*
Last day to withdraw from Spring course sections
April 1-4*
Fall 2025 course registration
April 9
Deadline to be registered for classes in order to be eligible for housing selection
April 28*
Classes End
April 30-May 7*
Final Exam period
May 8
Residential Communities close @ 2 p.m. for non-seniors (unless approved for Interim Housing)
May 18
Baccalaureate
May 19
University Commencement
May 20
Residential Communities close @ 12 p.m. for seniors and those not approved for Interim Housing
* See the Academic Services calendar, which lists these and other key academic dates; Additionally, see Residence Life and Housing’s opening and closing dates for our residential communities
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Message from the Parents’ Council chairs Karin and Charles Goldstuck (P ’23, P ’25)
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 We are excited to see our Deacs back on campus following Spring Break! Karin and I hope your Deacs had an enjoyable week and are ready to finish the spring semester in strong fashion. Spring is a busy time of year here on campus, with many important events happening on campus that are highlighted elsewhere in this newsletter. The seniors and their families have received information about Commencement Weekend in May. Returning students will want to make note of the upcoming deadlines from Residence Life & Housing for fall housing requests. Happy Spring to all our Deac families!
Karin and Charles Goldstuck (P’23, P’25)
Chairs, Wake Forest Parents’ Council
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For New Families of students in the Class of 2029
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- Welcome, P’29s (families of newly-admitted students in the Class of 2029)! This spring, we will be updating our New Students website for the Class of 2029. It should go live around May 1st. Please note that all the information on that website right now pertains to the Class of 2028, not your incoming students, so do not go by those dates, or complete any forms there. We will send all P’29 families an email around May 1st once the new site is ready.
- We are including you in this e-newsletter so that you can begin to see the kinds of communications that Wake Forest families receive. Any information in this Incoming Families section of the e-newsletter pertains to P ’29 families. But keep in mind that the details and deadlines in other sections of this e-newsletter only apply to currently-enrolled students (Classes of 2025-2028), not your incoming Deacs.
- A clarification about social media and online groups: new families’ best source for official information is from Wake Forest websites or administrative offices (do not rely on a group text, unofficial Facebook message board, or what your student heard from someone, as that information can be incorrect and policies can change from year to year).
- Administrators do not review, moderate, correct, or manage information in private Facebook groups set up by individual parents/families; that information is not officially sanctioned by the University. Note that our official Wake Forest parent and family Facebook page is not a group you need to be admitted to; it is an informational page anyone can access.
If you can’t find an answer on our website or via campus offices, you can email parents@wfu.edu for help. You can also follow our official WFU social media accounts.
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Academics
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From The Center for Learning, Access, and Student Success:
- In celebration of Women’s History month CLASS will present a one hour interactive workshop for students in the Women’s Center titled “A Minoritized Majority: Expectations and Realities of Women’s Academic Experiences.” The workshop will be on Wednesday, March 26 at 12 p.m. Pizza will be served.
From Undergraduate Summer Session:
- Registration for Summer Session 2025 opened on Monday, March 17! The Summer Session website has all the information you need to consider how Summer Session might benefit your current or incoming student. Please contact us with any questions.
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News (Financial)
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From Student Financial Services:
- Looking for your 2024 1098-T tax form? Students can elect to receive their tax forms electronically through Workday. Only your student will be able to access this form online, and they can do so through the Print My 1098-T or View My 1098-T tasks in the Workday Student FInancials hub. For more information, please visit the Tax Information page on the Student Financial Services website.
- Have your students sign up for Direct Deposit! Wake Forest encourages students to utilize direct deposit as doing so provides students with a convenient and secure way to access their funds faster. For further information regarding direct deposit, you can visit the Student Refunds page on the Student Financial Services website.
- It is almost time for Pre-Registration for Fall 2025! Make sure to check your student’s account for any balances, as a past due hold will impact their ability to register for their courses. You can view your student’s account balance in either the Student Statement tab or the Account Activity tab in the Student Financials Hub on Workday.
From Financial Aid:
- The Summer School 2025 Financial Aid Application will be available in early April and additional information will be provided in next month's e-newsletter.
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Events
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From the School of Business:
- Help our Employer Relations team! If you know of hiring needs at your organization or in your networks, please contact Director of Employer Relations, Dana Hutchens, at hutchens@wfu.edu. We have students who are still looking for summer internships and May graduates seeking entry-level employment. We appreciate any leads that WFU alumni can send our way!
- There's No Roadmap: Women Navigating Careers & Leadership Pathways: March 31, 5:30-7 p.m., Broyhill Auditorium, Farrell Hall. Bank of America presents a panel discussion to explore the unique challenges and opportunities women face in navigating their careers and leadership journeys. Sponsored in partnership with Women’s History month. Virtual option is also available. Registration is required.
- Fireside Chat with Alumnus Paul Griggs: April 1, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Broyhill Auditorium, Farrell Hall. PwC US Senior Partner, Paul Griggs ('96, MSA '97), and Vice President and Director of Athletics, John Currie, will explore the intricacies of navigating change in the workforce. They’ll discuss leadership strategies and the role of innovation in adapting to the evolving workplace landscape.
- Hylton Lecture Series: Kim McCaslin ('93): April 10, 5-6 p.m., Broyhill Auditorium, Farrell Hall. The Hylton Lecture Series in Accountancy was established in 1980 to honor Delmar P. Hylton, who started Wake Forest’s accountancy program in 1949 and helped build it into one of the top accounting programs in the nation. This year's lecture will be presented by Partner and Head of the North America Private Equity Portfolio Group for Bain Capital, Kim McCaslin ('93).
From Wake Forest Executive Education: Join us for one of our upcoming professional development open enrollment programs:
From the Office of Civic & Community Engagement:
- Looking for a meaningful way for your student to build their resume this summer? The Summer Nonprofit Immersion Program (SNIP) offers undergraduate students full-time internships with Winston-Salem nonprofits during June and July. Applications are open through Sunday, March 23 at 11:59 PM. Students can apply now. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. For questions, contact Anna Donze (donzea@wfu.edu), Assistant Director of Community Engagement.
- Wake ’N Shake 2025 is here! Join Wake Forest’s 12-hour dance marathon on Saturday, March 22, supporting the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund and Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. Last year, we raised an incredible $313,052.41! All students are welcome to take part in this campus tradition and help fight cancer. Register today.
- Is your student looking for real-world experience while giving back? Through a paid national service opportunity with AmeriCorps, they can gain hands-on public health experience and support their community. From September 2025 - May 2026, members will complete 450 service hours working with mobile health clinics and agencies. Responsibilities include: expanding health education and access to care, conducting outreach and patient support, assisting with medical resource navigation, supporting free health clinics and more. Applications close Sunday, March 30.
- Help Your Student Grow as a Leader with LeaderShape! LeaderShape is returning to Wake Forest for its second year, offering a four-day immersive leadership program from May 12-15 at Camp Caraway. Students will learn to lead with integrity, challenge the impossible, and create a more just and caring world. The program is open to students who will be undergraduates in Fall 2025, with extended on-campus housing available for participants. Applications are due April 9. Questions? Contact Deb Marke at marked@wfu.edu. Learn more and apply through the LeaderShape portal today!
From Out of the Forest:
- The final two workshops in our Year One 101 series for seniors are open for registration! March 25 is Post Forest Resources, which will share tips and strategies for finding those important mental and emotional wellbeing resources post-college, as well as how to find friends and build community. April 1 is Life as an Alumnus and not only will provide information on how to make the most of the Wake Forest alumni community, but also some great SWAG. Dinner will be provided at both. Seniors can register at the Year One 101 Workshop Series page.
- The priority deadline for Seniors to make their gift and be invited to participate in the bell tower and tunnel tours is quickly approaching! Members of the Class of 2025 should make their 1834 Campaign donation by March 23 to ensure they are included in the first round of bell tower and tunnel tours invitations. These tours fill very quickly! (Note: to be eligible for the tour invite, the gift must be made by the student; they cannot be made by the parents/families 'in honor of' their student.)
From Campus Recreation:
- April 8th is Deacs Day of Giving, and our Club Sports teams need your support! We have over 40 teams that will be raising funds for jerseys, travel, equipment, and a number of other expenses. These teams are instrumental in creating leadership opportunities and building community for their members. Please follow the Campus Recreation Instagram for more information leading up to the big day!
See the Events Calendar.
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Resources
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From the University Counseling Center:
- The UCC’s theme for March is Developing Your Healthy Lifestyle. Please follow our Instagram!
- The University Counseling Center continues to be a support to students who desire to talk to a professional about a multitude of things. We offer same-day scheduling during office hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and an after-hours counselor-on-call after 5 p.m. on weekdays and 24 hours a day on weekends.
From the Office of Personal and Career Development (OPCD):
- As we approach the end of the semester, your student still has plenty of opportunities to make progress in their career journey. Wake Forest University’s career team can help them find an internship, refine their job search strategy, or explore graduate programs. Whether they need help getting started, polishing their resume, or making connections, we’ve got them covered. Check out our website for helpful info and resources!
From Residence Life and Housing:
- We hope your students had a restorative Spring Break and that you’ve enjoyed the changing of the seasons from where you reside! This month, we want to lay out important dates for the remainder of the semester and some reminders for you about what your student is asked to do as they leave campus for the summer (or stay, for those who may be enrolling in summer courses). Read more.
From Transportation and Parking Services:
- If your student is heading home at the end of the semester, Transportation and Parking Services offers convenient airport shuttle services during designated break times. Shuttles run to and from Greensboro and Charlotte airports, making travel easier and stress-free. Registration dates are listed below, so be sure to book in advance and review our schedule for departure times. For more details and to reserve your student’s spot, visit our airport shuttle services website.
- End of Semester Airport Shuttle Registration: Tuesday, April 1– Wednesday, April 30
- Registration will open at 9:00 a.m. on April 1 and close at noon on April 30.
From Deacon Dining:
- This April, Deacon Dining will celebrate Earth Month by focusing on sustainability, plant-forward eating, and caring for our planet.
Students can look forward to eco-friendly events like sustainability cooking demos, smoothie bike pop-ups, and a Cool Foods Takeover — all leading up to our signature event, Party for the Planet on April 22 at the Pit Patio.
Sustainability remains at the core of what we do — from plant-forward menus to food waste reduction and responsible sourcing, with over 30% of our food coming from third-party certified vendors.
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Athletics
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From Athletics:
- Football Season Tickets are now on sale as we welcome new Head Football Coach Jake Dickert! Season Tickets in the Deacon Hill are available starting at $79! View season ticket inventory.
- Gear up for baseball season with the all new premium space, the DEACON DECK! Season tickets in the Deacon Deck include food and soft drinks, with access to a private bar for drinks down the right field line. For pricing and availability, please contact Zach Bingham by email binghaz@wfu.edu or by phone at 336.758.4021.
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Parents & Families Page
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Parents and Families Page is your portal to news and information specifically for Wake Forest families.
The Daily Deac is our blog for parents and families. 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, or our After Hours Help page 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.
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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