WFU campaign reaches $700 million mark

Wake Will Lead campaign furthers culture of philanthropy with $112 million raised this year

Wake Will Lead campaign furthers culture of philanthropy with $112 million raised this year

Wake Forest University received more than $112 million in gifts and commitments between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017. This is the third time Wake Forest has surpassed the $100 million fundraising mark in a single fiscal year since beginning the Wake Will campaign. More than 59,000 donors have collectively invested more than $700 million in students, faculty and capital projects.

Wake Will Lead: Why it matters

20120910seal0249.blog_

From scholarship recipients to professors to coaches, the impact of Wake Will Lead extends across the University. Click here to read what a few Wake Foresters are saying about how the campaign has made a difference for them.

In 2016, the University surpassed its original $600 million fundraising goal two years ahead of schedule. The Board of Trustees extended the campaign and set a new goal of raising $1 billion by 2020 to support the University’s mission.

“Our future relies on Wake Foresters prepared to lead in moments mundane and monumental,” said Wake Forest President Nathan O. Hatch. “So many have stepped forward this year to generously support Wake Forest.”

“A culture of philanthropic leadership will support Wake Forest’s signature strengths as the means to prepare tomorrow’s leaders.” Nathan O. Hatch, Wake Forest president

Wake Will Lead Campaign milestones include:

  • More than $190 million for scholarships and financial aid, with a particular focus on access for first-generation and middle-class students;
  • More than $70 million raised to recruit and retain best-in-class faculty, including the appointment of two new endowed Presidential Chairs;
  • A record $10.6 million in gifts this year for the Wake Forest Fund, the University’s annual fund;
  • More than $164 million raised for campus capital improvements.
2018 - Sutton Sports Performance Center
2018 - Shah Basketball Complex
2018 - Reynolds Gym transformation (phase II complete fall 2017)
2015-2018 - Hearn Plaza residence halls renewal project
2017 - Player Development Center at David F. Couch Ballpark
2017 - Maya Angelou Residence Hall
2016 - Sutton Center
2016 - McCreary Field House
2016 - Law Commons in Worrell Professional Center
2016 - Worrell Professional Center HES Space
2016 - Haddock House
2013 - Farrell Hall
2013 - North Campus Dining Hall
2013 - Dogwood and Magnolia Residence Halls
2011 - Porter B. Byrum Welcome Center
2011 - The Barn
2010 - South Residence Hall

Wake Will Lead has fueled impressive momentum for the University:

  • The current U.S. News rankings mark 21 consecutive years among the top-30 national universities, a top-5 ranking for the University’s commitment to undergraduate teaching, and first among national universities in the proportion of students who earn academic credit while studying abroad.
  • This fall, Wake Forest will welcome the Class of 2021 to campus – joining the most competitive and diverse student body in the University’s history. These students will benefit from new international, joint-degree, and cross-school programs that create opportunities to transcend the boundaries of campus, culture and academic discipline.
  • With the addition of the McCreary Field House, Sutton Sports Performance and Shah Basketball Complex, Wake Forest is enhancing its ability to produce champions on and off the field with new athletic facilities and support for student-athletes.
  • Wake Forest is in the midst of a 10-year construction and renewal effort that reflects the institution’s commitment to offer the best residential college experience in the country, enhancing classroom and campus life for students. This fall, the historic Reynolds Gym will reopen as a dynamic hub for campus health and wellness for the entire campus community.
  • The undergraduate College and the Schools of Business, Divinity, and Law are realizing the benefits of new and renovated physical spaces, support for faculty, and new sources of student aid.
  • Wake Forest has been at the forefront of transforming the traditional concept of career services into a holistic, four-year approach to personal and career development, resulting in 98% of graduates employed or accepted into graduate school within six months of graduation – and prepared for a lifetime of career changes.

Wake Will Lead: Why it matters

From scholarship recipients to professors to coaches, the impact of Wake Will Lead extends across the University.

“The scholarship the school provides for me allows my parents to sleep at night and it allows me to continue my worry-free progression at a rigorous institution.” - Byron Goode, senior, Charlotte, N.C., Magnolia Scholar
“The Presidential Chair was instrumental in my decision to come to Wake Forest. Not only does it generously support my teaching and research, more importantly, it demonstrated to me the great commitment Wake Forest and the business community have to investing in the field of analytics.” - Jeffrey Camm, Inmar Presidential Chair of Analytics, School of Business
“The support of Wake Will has opened up a world of opportunity that I had never previously envisioned. While I always dreamed of being a physician, Wake Forest helped me discover that I could be a healthcare leader.” - Sarah Rudasill (’17), New Oxford, Penn., Stamps Scholar
“The Shah Basketball Complex creates an incredible advantage for our program. Thanks to Mit’s continued leadership and generosity, we’re going from one of the oldest and least efficient facilities in the ACC to one of the very best in the country.” - Danny Manning, Men's Basketball Head Coach
“Out of all the schools I applied to, Wake Forest was the only one that had a program for first-generation students. It was surprising to see how much they had offered me in scholarships, too.” - Alex Reyes, senior, New York City, Magnolia Scholar
"Being named the William T. Wilson, III Presidential Chair for Business Law is a great honor. The Chair is a testament of the natural generosity of Bill Wilson — and thus inspires me to seek to be generous. It is an invitation to reflect on the two-edged relationship between business and law — and thus encourages me to continue challenging my students to notice and think about this." - Alan Palmiter, William T. Wilson, III, Presidential Chair for Business Law
“Because of this incredible generosity I have been given opportunities to help me grow academically, personally and find my passions. I have taken classes and been a part of clubs, programs and study abroad experiences that have let me travel the world, meet inspirational heroes and leaders, and find the leader within myself.” - Eugenia Huang, senior, Cary, N.C. Gordon Scholar