From Columbia, S.C., to San Diego, Calif., Wake Forest alumni joined forces with their local communities May 31-June 3 to restore parks, plant fruits and vegetables, and collect food for the hungry.

The national push to give back to the various places Demon Deacons call home was part of the second annual Pro Humanitate Days or 4Good.

For example, in Winston-Salem, Wake Forest alumni and University Advancement staff prepared the Campus Garden to grow produce to help feed the community, prepared and packaged meals in the University’s Campus Kitchen and sorted food at the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina. In Raleigh, N.C., volunteers prepared 2,592 meals at Stop Hunger Now. Palm Beach and Treasure Coast Club (Fla.) volunteers washed windows, did touch-up painting on doors and parking lot markings, and helped lanscape the entrance to the food pantry area at the House of Hope in Stuart, Fla.

See a photo gallery of 4 Good highlights on Flickr »

John Burnley Winslow’s graduation present is a 1913 Wake Forest yearbook.

When Winslow walks across the stage to get his diploma, it will be exactly 100 years after his great grandfather Albert Rufus Phillips earned his Wake Forest degree in May of 1913.

The tan, leather-bound yearbook, with the formal black and white photo of his great grandfather, ties him to his family’s impressive five-generation history with Wake Forest.

As a Wake Forest student soon after the turn of the 20^th century, Albert Phillips studied Greek and Latin, lived in a boarding house, ran track and prepared to be a minister.

One hundred years later, his great grandson studied Spanish and mathematical economics, lived in Polo Residence Hall, played golf and prepared for a career in business.

While many things about Wake Forest have changed in a century, Winslow says one thing remains the same: “The quality of the professors.”

“That is why people come here. It is why they have always come to Wake Forest.”  Among his favorites: Eric Carlson in physics and Fred Chen in economics.
 

A long legacy

Winslow remembers his grandfather, John Dalton Phillips (’49), talking about attending Wake Forest reunions with his father, Albert, when he was growing up. While visiting the Old Campus, John Dalton Phillips met legendary professors such as George Paschal. Wake Forest College was located in the town of Wake Forest until 1956, when it moved to Winston-Salem.

Nearly 40 years after Albert Phillips got his Wake Forest diploma, John Dalton Phillips enrolled. As a high school senior, he traveled from his home in Stokes County to Wake Forest with his father and two of his high school friends. “Come and bring your $50 to register for summer school,” the bursar, E.B. Earnshaw, said to him.

Soon, he had his own favorite professors: Jasper Memory in education, K.T. Raynor in math, Owen Herring in religion and Hubert Poteat in Latin.

After graduation in 1913, Winslow’s great grandfather went on to seminary. Then, he and his wife served as missionaries in Buenos Aries, Argentina. Later he became pastor of First Baptist Church in Nashville, N.C. Finally, he moved back to the family’s home place in Stokes County in 1927 and was a teacher and principal in a number of schools in Stokes and Surry Counties.

Three of the Phillips’ children attended Wake Forest: John Phillips (’49), Anne Radford Phillips (’58) and William Rufus Phillips (’60 BA, ’63 MA).

Back to the beginning

Matthew D. Phillips (1875)

The Phillips/Winslow family’s Wake Forest legacy actually stretches back to 1875 when Winslow’s great, great grandfather Matthew Dalton Phillips and great, great uncle John Y. Phillips earned their Wake Forest degrees.

John Y. Phillips (1875)

According to a brief family history compiled by William Rufus Phillips, Winslow’s great uncle, the curriculum at Wake Forest College in the late 1800s included four years of Latin; four years of Greek; four years of mathematics and four years of English. Both brothers came to Wake Forest in 1871. They graduated together in June 1875, in a class of nine men.

John Dalton Phillips has the 1875 class picture hanging on the wall in his Raleigh home.

Two Wake Forest awards were established in the brothers’ honor in 1975. The Matthew D. Phillips Award recognizes an outstanding student in the classical languages department each year. The John Y. Phillips Award honors an outstanding math student each year.

“This feels like home”

“I don’t think there’s another legacy like this. It makes me excited and proud and gives me goose bumps,” said Winslow’s mother, Catherine Phillips Winslow, who recalls driving over to the Old Campus with her father and visiting with her father’s friends and professors when she was growing up. She remembers the sense of history and belonging.

John Winslow (’13) talks with his great uncle, William Rufus Phillips (’60, MA ’63), his grandfather John Dalton Phillips (’49) and his great aunt Anne Radford Phillips (’58) in front of Reynolda Hall.

“John made up his mind in seventh grade that he was going to make straight As and get into Wake Forest,” Catherine Winslow said.

Was her son pressured to follow in the family footsteps and become a Demon Deacon? No, John Winslow said, even though his father Robert Raymond Winslow III is also a Wake Forest graduate.

“It came down to what was going to be the right spot for me. I set foot on campus and it was magical, and I thought, ‘this feels like home.’”

When Rahel Tafese spent a day shadowing a sales representative for a company called BioRx, she learned a lot about treatments for immune deficiency, but more importantly, she made connections that will help her as she figures out what path she will take within the health professions.

Tafese, a first-year student from Maryland, participated in Wake Forest’s new job shadow program with Wake Forest alumni offered through a course in the counseling department called “Options in the World of Work.”

“It was amazing,” said Tafese, who is thinking about majoring in health and exercise science.  “Several of the physicians and pharmaceutical company representatives I met offered the opportunity for me to shadow them as well. Where else would I get that kind of connection?”

Forty Wake Forest alumni in North Carolina offered an insider’s view of their work to current students. On the flip side, alumni find out what it is like to be a student today.

“It’s a fun way to stay in touch with the Wake Forest family,” said Eric Hill (’88), who arranged Tafese’s visit to BioRx, the company he co-founded. “It doesn’t require a lot of effort to give a student access to a real business environment. I would encourage other alumni to do this.”

In addition to connecting students with sales representatives in the Winston-Salem area, he has offered to arrange for students to visit the company’s operations center in Cincinnati, Ohio.

“This program has been successful in more ways than we imagined,” said Department of Counseling instructor Heidi Robinson, who directs the series of College to Career courses. “Students are experiencing all different industry and career settings:  consulting, sales, finance, education, medical practices. And, our alumni provide each opportunity.”

One student spent a day with a chaplain in an Iredell County hospital.  Another shadowed an orthodontist. Robinson partnered with Lori Sykes, who works on the employer relations team in the University’s Office of Personal and Career Development (OPCD). Wake Forest’s Alumni office helped recruit local alumni to participate.

“Job shadowing opens up possibilities,” Sykes said.  “It opens a student’s mind to hear from an alumnus who received a history degree, but works in private wealth management. Making that connection to someone who has been in their shoes before can make a huge difference in how they see their future.”

For some younger students, who have no idea what career they want, just seeing a day in the life of someone in the work world is valuable.  For others, who are already focused on a particular career, shadowing that professional either makes them confident about their choice or makes them take a broader look at what else is out there.

“Either way, it’s very beneficial for the student to do that earlier rather than later,” Sykes said.

Opportunities were listed in the OPCD’s recruiting system on a first-come, first-served basis. As soon as it was posted, Nick Syris signed up to job shadow Cameron Kent (’79), a news anchor for WXII-TV.

“I met everyone from producers, to the traffic reporter, the weather director, the sports director, to the people who run the station’s website and handle the technical aspects of the news station,” said Syris, a first-year student from Florida. “Three hours felt like three minutes.  I loved the adrenaline rush I got from watching a show go live.”

Robinson said job shadowing gives students three things:

• Confidence to reach out to other people and ask for job shadow opportunities on their own as they explore possible career interests.
• Competence in skills – preparing thoughtful, well-researched questions, reflecting on experiences, writing thank you notes – professional qualities that will be essential as they prepare to enter the job market after they graduate.
• Clarity about the kinds of work environments that excite them and align with their talents and gifts.

Written reflection helps students understand the value and relevance of the job shadow. They process it. Each student submitted written reflections to Robinson addressing three questions:  “What (they did)?”  “So what?” and “Now what?”

For sophomore Abby Rogers, spending two days observing accountants in different roles from procurement to internal and external reporting, confirmed she had chosen the right major for her—accounting—and fueled her enthusiasm for the accounting profession. “Shadowing took me out of my comfort zone and forced me to ask questions,” Rogers said.

At the end of his day shadowing Kris Downing (’93 MBA), director of business strategy and partnerships at the Center for Creative Leadership, Grey Miller was invited to apply for a summer internship. Miller is a sophomore from Morganton, N.C., who plans to major in communication with a minor in entrepreneurship.

“For me as an alumna, I found it refreshing to spend time with a college student and I had a renewed sense of pride in the work I do,” said Downing, who gave Miller the chance to sit in on research meetings and a conference call with a potential client. “It was very rewarding to share a portion of my day with an attentive, interested Wake Forest student.”

When students are home during summer break, they can feel confident seeking opportunities on their own, Robinson said.  “All this experience will translate into being better prepared and making better decisions when it is time to choose a major, select courses, and, of course, once it’s time to interview for that internship or full-time job.”

As most seniors prepare to leave Wake Forest to begin jobs, attend graduate school and go on service trips, a small group of talented students have decided to start their careers here, at “Mother, So Dear.”

After commencement, 15 recent graduates will stay at Wake Forest for at least another year, having accepted positions in Admissions, Information Systems, University Advancement and as Wake Forest Fellows.

The President’s Office established the Wake Forest Fellows Program in 2008 to provide mentorship to recent graduates though a yearlong paid internship in higher administration.

“The program gives graduates exposure to a number of high-level projects across the University,” said Marybeth Wallace, special assistant to the president, who oversees the Fellows. “This helps them determine their interests and strengths and propels them toward the next stage of their lives.”

As the first-ever fellow to work in Z. Smith Reynolds library, Lauren Suffoletto (’13) sees an opportunity to learn more about the career she intends to pursue. In this position, she will assist in the development and implementation of year-round programs and events for the library and engage in other activities.

“In the next few years I would like to work in research and development for a university or non-profit organization,” said Suffoletto. “In my year as a fellow, I hope to not only engage in administrative tasks, but act as a liaison between the student body and library staff. The Wake Forest Fellows Program is the perfect way for me to give back to an institution that has given me so many opportunities.”

Keon McGuire (’08), who was a fellow in the Office of Student Life, described his experience as a “crash course” into the career world. “It gave me a picture of what different professions in higher education entail,” said McGuire, who since has worked at The College Board and Complete College America and is currently pursuing a joint Ph.D in Higher Education and Africana studies. “The fellowship gave me the invaluable opportunity to work with and learn from experienced Wake Forest personnel.”

Caroline Naughton (’11) went on to become a sales assistant at ABC Television Network after serving a year as the fellow in the Office of Personal and Career Development team, where she played an integral role in organizing a 250-person conference at Wake Forest called Rethinking Success.

“The fellowship gave me the incredible opportunity to learn in a safe environment,” she said. “I wish every student could experience this program. There is something beautiful about making mistakes in an environment where you feel comfortable.”

In addition to having a Wake Forest Fellow, the Office of Information Systems will employ two additional graduates to bring a student perspective to I.S. and help us ensure that student needs are being understand and met.

Leya Wood (’13) looks forward to working with students and staff as the new Bridge Associate. “I have been working at The Bridge for the past three years and I love the environment and the people. I am excited to continue working with them,” she said.

Mark Covington (’13), one of at least two fellows working in University Advancement, will focus on increasing annual giving participation from alumni and parents while learning the ropes of higher education fundraising. He looks forward to transitioning from student to staff member. “I am excited that I will be able to travel and meet alumni from all over the country,” said Covington, a Winston-Salem native. “I am grateful for the opportunity to work in college administration. My ultimate career goal is to work in higher education.”

Here is a list of the 2013-14 fellows and the offices they will serve:

• Office of the Dean of the College: Lindsay Schneider (’13)
• Office of Information Systems: Laura Chin (’13)
• Office of Investments: Paige Bosworth (’13)
• Office of Personal and Career Development: Benjamin Magee (’13)
• Office of the President: James O’Connell (’13)
• Office of the Provost: Frances Fisher (’13)
• START Gallery: Katie Wolf (’13)
• Office of Student Life: Brad Shugoll (’13)
• Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center: Sarah Sebton (’13)
• University Advancement: Isabelle Ruane and Mark Covington (’13)
• ZSR Library: Lauren Suffoletto (’13)

Hill

Additionally, these recent graduates have also accepted positions at Wake Forest:

• Information Systems Bridge Associate: Leya Wood (’13)
• Information Systems Collaborative Technologies Associate: Kory Riemensperger (’13)
• Admissions Counselor: Victoria Hill (’12)

A senator, a humanitarian and a banker received the University’s 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award in recognition of their extraordinary service to Wake Forest, their field, humanity or society.  Richard Burr (’78), Jane Cage (’78) and Graham Denton Jr. (’67) were honored.  Read their individual stories and watch videos presented at the awards ceremony April 19.

The “Big Tent,” a collaborative community art project between Wake Forest students and local high school students, was set up on Wake Forest’s Reynolda Campus for the first time on March 27 outside the Z. Smith Reynolds Library.

The tent event was held as a part of the University’s yearlong Faces of Courage celebration. Student groups came together to showcase the tent and to encourage their peers to think about diversity and identity on campus through art. Some of the projects and activities around the Big Tent included:

Not just one color

Members of Delta Xi Phi, Wake Forest’s multicultural sorority, helped students mix paints to create colors to match their skin tone. “We wanted to show that skin color is not just black or white. You might need to add a little yellow, purple or red,” senior sociology major Jessica Smith said.

Differences can connect

Senior religion major Sarah Hinshelwood, a member of Delta Xi Phi, passed out slips of paper to students at the event and asked them to write down what makes them unique. She then connected the individual pieces to make a chain, showing that our differences can connect us.

Not just one race

“Ambiguity in Race: The Haziness of Social Lines” by senior anthropology major De’Noia Woods and first-year student Tai Hensley uses photographs to deconstruct ideas about race. “It addresses the concept of being mixed race and being stereotypes because of a small feature, like a nose or mouth,” Hensley explained.

Music brings people together

Gerson Lanza, a senior history major, and Lee Gan, a sophomore finance major, perform tap steps as members of the Setting the Groove Tap Dancing Club. The club represents how it is not only race and ethnicity that make students unique, but also their diverse interests and talents.

Stereotypes can break people

“Unraveling” by senior biology major Mary Alyce McCullough and Mt. Tabor High School student Jon Cunningham is made from wire, fabric and windows. The piece deals with stereotypes of culture, ethnicity and race. The broken windows represent the violence that can come as a result of racism. The fabric represents the assumptions that can contribute to race relations.

Wake Forest’s first Latino graduates, Carlos Perez (’65) and Peter Bondy (’67), were honored March 21 on campus at the Celebration of Latino Heritage. The event was part of the ongoing Faces of Courage series, marking Wake Forest’s 50 years of integration and the University’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Perez came to the United States from Cuba as part of Operation Peter Pan, a program that brought many Cuban children to the U.S. in the early 1960s.

While a student at Brevard College, he made a weekend visit to Winston-Salem, toured the University and decided to transfer to Wake Forest. “I went, I saw, I fell for it,” he said. He enrolled in 1963 and became the first Latino graduate in 1965.

During the celebration of Latino heritage, Perez spoke to a standing-room only audience about the impact the University has had on his life and shared memories of playing intramural softball with Wake Forest sports legends Brian Piccolo and John Mackovic.

He also talked about his academic experience. “I could not have asked for better people as teachers,” he said. “They were knowledgeable, caring and demanding yet fair.” Inspired by his time at Wake Forest, Perez earned his doctorate and became a professor at the University before going on to teach at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Bondy, who is originally from Ecuador, was also quick to note his lasting and meaningful relationships with Wake Forest faculty, many of whom he credits for his professional success as an actuarial consultant in Baton Rouge, La. These mentors included “surrogate parents” Dean Dyer and his wife as well as professors King and Campbell of the Romance Languages department.

Bondy continues his connection to Wake Forest by serving on the Board of Visitors and the Global Programs Advisory Committee. As a part of the committee, Bondy has influenced the education of thousands of Wake Forest students through initiatives including the establishment of the Flow House in Vienna and the creation of first-year seminars.

As he spoke about his experience as a Wake Forest alumnus, Bondy said, “It is awesome to be able to tell others what Wake stands for and what they can look forward to enjoying.”

After the awards presentation, the celebration continued with traditional Latino performances by Wake Forest’s Salsa Club and the Mexican dance group, Ballet Folklorico.

Both honorees were surprised by their selection as recipients of the “Faces of Courage” award. Perez said, “I never did anything like Jackie Robinson or Rosa Parks.”

Senior Nancy Aguillon, president of Wake Forest’s Organization of Latin American Students (OLAS), said of Perez and Bondy: “Your courage paved the way for students like me to be here.”

In recognition of his competitive excellence and considerable charity, Wake Forest retired the No. 3 jersey of NBA All-Star Chris Paul (’07) in a halftime ceremony during Saturday’s home game against Maryland.

The Wake Forest community gathered together for Founders’ Day Convocation on Feb. 21 to celebrate the University’s founding in 1834 and the accomplishments of faculty and alumni in teaching, research and service. Applause and appreciation permeated Wait Chapel during the annual celebration, which also included videos and orations from graduating seniors reflecting on their time at Wake Forest.

View a photo gallery »
See video of the full ceremony »

Senior orations

It is an annual tradition for seniors to give orations. In Wake Forest’s early years, every graduating student delivered a speech. As the University grew, it came to be impossible for every student to speak. Now, three students are selected each year to deliver an oration at Founders’ Day that addresses how they have changed during their four years at Wake Forest.

The winners of the 2013 Senior Orations competition are:

Our Actions, Ourselves
By Joshua Courtney
“We at Wake Forest are girded by supports and institutionalized systems that we may not always see, but to which we owe a great deal. Whether because of ability, work ethic, or simple fortune, we at Wake Forest tread a comfortable and rewarding path that few have the opportunity to walk…our motto, Pro Humanitate, calls on us to shatter the illusion that knowledge is only for the privileged, that social stratification need dictate life, and that institutional injustice has to be permanent.”
Read more »

What a Tapestry WE Weave
By Dean Guerra
“As I stand here today reflecting on my time at Wake Forest I am so proud to be a part of a new page and lasting legacy that has been created here: that no matter what color, creed, religion, gender, you may be, YOU are important. I am important. WE are important because together we work to not right yesterday’s wrongs but to create a future together of equality, acceptance, understanding, and love.”
Read more »

The Confessions of a Show Dog
By Xinxin “Stephanie” Zhang
“I want to live in a world in which none of us have to perform to get to where we want to go, but I don’t think such a world is possible. However, I will always remember even as I am being externally judged that I am more than what can be quantified, more than my grades, my scores, my list of accomplishments. I will remember that behind my performance I have an authentic self. The most important part of our journeys is to not get lost.”
Read more »

Senior video

A collection of the personal reflections, graduating seniors explain what they remember most about their time at Wake Forest.

Medallion of Merit: the University’s highest honor

The Medallion of Merit, the University’s highest honor, is presented to a person who has rendered outstanding service to the University. This year it was awarded to Rhoda B. Billings (JD ’66) for her outstanding engagement in the North Carolina law community and service as a professor at Wake School of Law from 1973 until 2003. First in her law school class, she became Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court in 1985 and she served as the first female president of the North Carolina Bar Association. “Her knowledge and ability need no other endorsement than the influential positions she was asked to hold, the decisions that she was asked to make, and the grace and professionalism that she artfully executed throughout her career,” said President Nathan O. Hatch. “Her service to jurisprudence is both historic and significant.”
See the video »
Past Medallion of Merit winners »

Honors and awards

John Reinhardt Award for Distinguished Teaching
Music Professor Louis R. Goldstein received the John Reinhardt Award for Distinguished Teaching, which recognizes faculty for being a distinguished teacher who exemplifies the ideals of a liberal arts education. Described as “dedicated,” “patient,” “inspiring” and “unique,” one student said, “He taught me that music is far more than theory and technique. In his classes I experienced profound insights about the ways that music allows us to express and experience the most important aspects of our humanity.”
Read more about the award

Reid-Doyle Prize for Excellence in Teaching
Assistant Professor of Physics Oana Jurchescu, who joined the faculty in 2009, was awarded the Reid-Doyle Prize for Excellence in Teaching, which recognizes faculty who are in the early part of their careers. This past year, Jurchescu published eight articles with her students, who describe her teaching style as “challenging and rewarding.” “She builds relationships with her students on trust, teamwork, and creating an environment where failure is allowed as part of the research process,” Provost Rogan Kersh said of Jurchescu. “She encourages her students to give their best and to extend their reach, never accepting ‘good enough.’”
Read more about the award and see past recipients

Award for Excellence in Research
Assistant Professor of Chemistry Patricia Dos Santos received the Award for Excellence in Research, which is presented to a young professor for outstanding scholarship. She was recognized for her commitment to advancing scientific discovery through collaboration and her work as a research mentor. She studies the ways bacteria build important molecular structures called iron-sulfur clusters. Since Dos Santos joined the faculty in 2008, she has published 12 journal articles and two book chapters. She has also given 34 scientific presentations and been awarded more than $1 million dollars in funding, including the prestigious NSF CAREER Award.
Read more about the award and see past recipients
Read more about her research

Donald O. Schoonmaker Faculty Award for Community Service
Anne Boyle, Professor of English and Associate Dean for Student-Faculty Academic Initiatives, received the Donald O. Schoonmaker Faculty Award for Community Service. Given in memory of Professor of Politics Donald Schoonmaker, the award recognizes extraordinary community service by a teacher-scholar. “Her service and leadership on campus are extensive, including the Writing Program, Women’s and Gender Studies, the Public Engagement Advisory Board, the College Strategic Plan, and many others,” Kersh said of Boyle. “Anne does her excellent work in a quiet, gentle, kind, and unassuming manner, never seeking recognition.”
Read more about the award and see past recipients

Kulynych Family Omicron Delta Kappa Award
Ken Zick, Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs and Professor of Law, was awarded the Kulynych Family Omicron Delta Kappa Award for bridging the gap between the classroom and student life. Zick has challenged Wake Forest students for the last 30 years to explore learning opportunities outside the classroom. A passionate teacher and mentor, he has counseled and engaged students on the larger questions facing their generation and guided them on their journeys at Wake Forest and beyond. On June 30, Zick will step down from the vice president position after 25 years in that role. He plans to return to teaching following a year’s leave.
Read more about the award and see past recipients

Joseph Branch Excellence in Teaching Award
Associate Professor of Legal Writing Tracey Banks Coan was presented the Joseph Branch Excellence in Teaching Award, which is given to a professor at the School of Law who displays outstanding teaching and service to the legal profession. Coan was recognized for her work in developing and directing the Law School’s Academic Success Program. Students state that the lessons they learned in Coan’s Secured Transactions course challenged them and gave them the confidence they needed to succeed.
Read more about the award and see past recipients

Marcellus E. Waddill Excellence in Teaching Award
The Waddill Excellence in Teaching Award was established in 1994 in honor of Professor Emeritus of Mathematics Marcellus Waddill, who retired from Wake Forest in 1997 after teaching for 35 years. The award is funded by his son David and given to two alumni who are exemplary classroom teachers. This year, Laura Bilton (’01), a second grade teacher at Old Town Elementary School in Winston-Salem, N.C., received the Waddill Award on the elementary level for her excellence in reaching students of diverse needs.

Jon Williams (’95), who teaches social studies at McMichael High School in Mayodan, N.C., received the Waddill Award on the secondary level for the variety of instructional strategies he uses to engage students.

Read more about the award
See past recipients

Wake Forest University graduate Wade Murphy (’00) is donating $1 million to support the Humanities Institute, extending the reach and impact of humanities and the liberal arts. Murphy is the youngest person in the University’s history to make such a large gift.

“Wade’s generous support underscores the critical role that the humanities play in the education and preparation of today’s students,” said Mary Foskett, professor of religion and director of the Humanities Institute. “The humanities are rooted in intellectual traditions that empower students to engage the world. Today’s graduates must be prepared to interpret complex information, understand diverse cultures and create solutions that serve the common good. Wake Forest provides a rigorous liberal arts education, where the humanities are central, and where faculty and students confront big questions in innovative ways.”

Murphy, the executive vice president of Marmik Oil in El Dorado, Ark., graduated in 2000 with a major in history. He earned an MBA from American University in 2007. He has served as a member of the Wake Forest Young Alumni Development Board and currently serves on the Wake Forest College Board of Visitors.

“Wake Forest is and always has been a place that teaches students how to identify and pursue that which is good, beautiful and true,” said Murphy. “One of the prevailing reasons I want to support the Humanities Institute is that it will go a long way to ensuring that these ideals are carried forward.”

The Humanities Institute was launched in October of 2010 to foster interdisciplinary and collaborative scholarship and explore creative ways to use knowledge to solve real-world problems.

With Murphy’s support, the Institute will continue to build partnerships that contribute to the common good. One example of this kind of work is Humanities Matters, a program funding “The Imagination Project: Artists of the Holocaust” — a collaboration among professors and students that aims to educate audiences about anti-Semitism and promote understanding, tolerance and respect.

In December 2010, the National Endowment for the Humanities offered the Institute a challenge grant of $500,000 with Wake Forest raising $1.5 million by July 2015 to establish an endowment that will help sustain the Humanities Institute and its mission for years to come. With Murphy’s gift, the Institute has exceeded the challenge amount more than two years earlier than required.

“Not only has Wade given us the needed funds, he has made it clear that Wake Forest University values the liberal arts,” said President Nathan O. Hatch. “It is comforting to know that the next generation of Wake Forest stewards is stepping forward in leadership and acting definitively toward preserving the very best of the Wake Forest education.”

Based on his experience as a Wake Forest student, Murphy wants to affirm the central place the humanities have played in shaping his life.

“We cannot expect to continue to build a Wake Forest for future generations without appreciating and honoring the Wake Forest that was provided for us by those who embodied the Pro Humanitate model,” said Murphy. “I fervently believe that the Humanities Institute will help us carry that spirit forward for many generations of Wake Foresters to come.”