WakeParents & Families
E-newsletter from the Office of Family Engagement
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The countdown is on! Pitsgiving — our Thanksgiving celebration — will be held Thursday, November 21st.
November marks the start of the holiday season. Thanksgiving is focused on gratitude, family, and food. But before we get to Thanksgiving, our students will have Pitsgiving!
Pitsgiving is Deacon Dining’s Thanksgiving feast that takes place the Thursday before Thanksgiving. It is a time for students to gather with hallmates and friends and enjoy the normal Thanksgiving foods as a Wake Forest family (before most of them go home to their family!)
On Monday, Dec. 2 is the Lighting of the Quad, a formal celebration of the holiday season for students and the campus community. The Lighting of the Quad is a wonderful balm for the end-of-the-semester/pre-finals stress, an opportunity for students to get out of their rooms and enjoy the holiday spirit with the Wake Forest community.
Then on Dec. 8, Wake Forest will host one of its cherished holiday traditions, the Lovefeast:
“The annual Wake Forest Lovefeast celebrates one of the unique traditions of the Moravian community in Winston-Salem. This year’s service will be held in Wait Chapel on Sunday, December 8, at 7 p.m. The service is free and open to the public. Seating is first-come, first-served.
If you cannot join in person, we encourage you to join us remotely via the livestream. If you’d like, join along by preparing your own Lovefeast at home. Whether it’s a simple meal or traditional Moravian buns and sweetened coffee, the feast we share from a distance will connect us in love and the spirit of the season.”
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I wish you bountiful food, the presence of those you love around your table, much laughter, and a sense of peace and joy.
I count our amazing Wake Forest families among my many blessings.
Betsy Chapman, Ph.D. (’92, MA ’94)
Executive Director of Family Communications
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Upcoming Dates & Deadlines*
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Nov. 27-29*
Thanksgiving Break
Dec. 1
Spring semester tuition due
Dec. 6*
Classes end
Dec. 9-14
Final Exam period
Dec. 15
Residential Communities close at 2 p.m. for Winter Break
(unless approved for Winter Break Housing)
Jan. 7
Sorority Recruitment move-in
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Actives (i.e., current sisters) Move-in
- 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Potential New Members (i.e., students going through sorority recruitment) Move-in
Jan. 10
Move-in for students moving on to campus for the first time this academic year (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Jan. 11
Residential Communities open for all students to return (9 a.m.)
Jan. 13*
First Day of Classes (FDOC)
* 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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 As the year begins to wind down, we’re entering a special time of year with the approach of the holidays for many different cultures. I know you, like the two of us, are looking forward to spending time with your Wake Foresters. The semester may be winding down, but the activity is not!
Project Pumpkin began a busy fall season, and soon the traditions of Pitsgiving and Lovefeast will again bring our students together. I hope you will encourage your students to attend both of these special Wake Forest events.
Karin and Charles Goldstuck (P’23, P’25)
Chairs, Wake Forest Parents’ Council
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Academics
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From CLASS (Center for Learning, Access, and Student Success):
- Has your student ever told you they studied for the test but went blank when the teacher handed them the test? If yes, please direct them to attend an informative one hour mini-workshop titled “When Tests Aren’t Optional: Strategies for Test Anxiety.” This event is part of the CLASS office OWLS programming (Outreach Workshop Learning Series) and will be on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. in Benson 410. Participants will leave with actionable strategies to help them manage their next test and find success!
- October’s Academic Resources Awareness Week (ARAW) was a huge success! Feedback from students indicates that 79% are more likely to use academic resources while 47% reported learning something new. Students who attended events during the week were entered to win the Ultimate Study Experience give away, a private study room for 48 hours during finals complete with pizza, snacks, and study tools provided by the CLASS office. Out of 1,000+ entries, a lucky sophomore will be enjoying this fall’s Ultimate Study Experience. There will be a spring private study experience given away as well, stay tuned for ways to enter!
From The Office of the Provost:
- Provost-sponsored centers and institutes are interdisciplinary hubs where faculty, students, and scholars collaborate on significant questions that impact society, advancing research and teaching, and fostering community partnerships. Last month, the Andrew Sabin Family Center for Environment & Sustainability hosted its inaugural conference bringing together conservation and sustainability experts from across the globe. We are also excited to celebrate the launch of our newest Provost-sponsored center, the Center for Literacy Education which is already having a significant impact on our local community.
From Undergraduate Summer Session:
- On November 22, the Summer Session website will be updated with all of the information you need to begin considering how Summer Session might benefit you and your student. Registration for summer 2025 will open on March 17, leaving plenty of time to peruse our course list and identify classes that will meet each individual need. As you consider our offerings, please contact us with any questions that will help you and your student prepare.
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NEWS
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From Financial Aid:
- Families must apply for financial aid EVERY year (not just the first year): Submitting financial aid application materials and supporting documents by the priority filing dates allows time for receipt, processing, and review by the financial aid committee for a timely response to your application. Applications are reviewed in the order received.
- The priority filing dates to submit the upcoming academic year’s CSS Profile®, FAFSA®, and federal income tax documents are:
- Early Decision I, Early Action (for incoming students applying to the Class of 2029): CSS Profile® by November 15, FAFSA® as soon as possible after December 1
- Early Decision II, Regular Decision (for incoming students applying to the Class of 2029): January 1
- Continuing students, i.e., Class of 2025 (if not graduating in May), Classes of 2026-2028: March 1
From Student Financial Services:
- The Spring 2025 billing statement is now available for students and Authorized Payers to review. Please be sure your students have added you/anyone they want to have access to their account as an Authorized Payer in Workday.
- Spring semester tuition is due on December 1.
- Prepare for the unexpected and protect your investment in education. Registration is now underway for Dewar Tuition Refund Plan. This low-cost plan helps to minimize the financial loss when a student withdraws due to accident or illness. Learn more about the University’s Withdrawal/Course Drop Refund policy and how Tuition Insurance can assure up to 75% refund throughout the term.
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Events
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From the School of Business:
- Nonprofits Needed! The Center for Analytics Impact is looking for nonprofits to participate in a free hands-on analytics workshop on November 22. In consultation with faculty experts and students, participants will walk away with an analytics roadmap to transform their business challenges with data! If you work for or volunteer with a nonprofit that could benefit, please contact Executive Director, Shannon McKeen at mckeensd@wfu.edu.
From Wake Forest Executive Education:
See the Events Calendar.
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Resources
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From the University Counseling Center:
- The UCC’s theme for November is Positive Thinking & Stress Reduction! Managing stress helps regulate emotions, supports focus, creates a space for positive thinking, and promotes positive coping skills, making it easier to handle challenges and maintain mental well-being.
- The University Counseling Center continues to be a support to students who are struggling with managing stress and mastering positive thinking. 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.
- Please follow our Instagram!
From the Office of Civic & Community Engagement:
- Help our community put Pro Humanitate to action this holiday season!
- Residence Life and Housing, with the Office of Civic & Community Engagement, is hosting a Food & Supply Donation Drive for the Winston-Salem Rescue Mission! Now through Dec. 13, students can drop off blankets, hygiene items, or non-perishable foods at the RLH office in Angelou Hall. Learn more and get involved on GivePulse. Small donations make a big difference!
- We’re looking for student volunteers to help us prepare for the biggest feast of the year... TurkeyPalooza From Nov. 17-23, Wake Forest Campus Kitchen will prepare over 500 scratch-made Thanksgiving meals to share with our community. No cooking experience needed — to help make a difference, students simply sign up for a shift that fits their schedule on GivePulse
- Encourage your Deacon to join us on Saturday, January 25, 2025, for the MLK Read-In, a service event honoring Dr. King’s legacy. Volunteers will serve as “Reading Buddies” for K-5 students, fostering a love of reading and celebrating diversity. Organized by Wake Forest, Winston-Salem State, and HandsOn NWNC, it’s a great way to make a positive impact in a young reader’s life!
From the Office of Personal and Career Development (OPCD):
- Looking for ways to help your student on their career journey? Our Parents & Family page has you covered! You’ll find webinar recordings for parents and student tips for making the most of the holiday breaks with LinkedIn Learning and ways to keep them motivated. With resources like Parker-Dewey and Forage, students can access project opportunities with great companies to build new skills and add to their resumes.
From Residence Life and Housing:
- We can’t believe it’s already November! Soon, many of our Deacs will be returning home for Thanksgiving Break. Just a few short weeks after that, they’ll be returning for Winter Break. This month, we’re highlighting some helpful ways you can help them prepare. Check out our November 2024 Parent and Family Newsletter.
From Deacon Dining:
- Upcoming Events for your students:
- DEC 3: TAPAS TUESDAY (THE PIT | 11A-8P)
Students can join Chef Levin in The Pit for Tapas Tuesday and enjoy Mole Frenched Chicken Drumstick with Mexican Rice. Enjoy tender chicken drumsticks glazed in rich mole sauce, topped with toasted sesame seeds and micro cilantro, served on a small scoop of flavorful Mexican rice. Don’t miss out on this deliciously unique dish!
- DEC 6: FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY (MANCHESTER | 11A-2P)
This will be the last Food Truck Friday of the year on Manchester! Students can savor unique flavors as a different food truck rolls in to serve up fresh, mouthwatering bites. It’s the perfect way to wrap up the semester—come hungry and we’ll see you there!
- DEC 10: DESTRESS FEST (ZSR Library | 2-4P)
Students can join Madison, our registered dietitian, outside the ZSR Library for a special treat—innovative brain foods to fuel your study sessions and keep you nourished during exam time. Think creative snacks like whole grain Pop-Tarts with berry filling and other brain-boosting combinations designed to help you stay sharp and focused. Don’t miss out on this tasty way to fuel your mind!
From Transportation and Parking Services:
- If your student is heading home for Thanksgiving Break or Winter Break, 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.
- Thanksgiving Break Airport Shuttle Registration: Monday, Oct. 28 - Friday, Nov. 22.
- Winter Break Airport Shuttle Registration: Monday, Dec. 2 - Monday, Dec.9, 2024.
- Information on Spring 2025 registration, parking, and early return procedures for students — both those returning from winter break and studying abroad — is now available.
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Athletics
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From Athletics:
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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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