Media Advisory: Wake Forest University to invest $1 billion
Wake Forest University and Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center will significantly increase their impact on the region, the nation and the world by investing $1 billion over the next five years to strengthen and renew their ability to carry out their respective missions. With the help of alumni, parents and friends, the University will invest $600 million in students, faculty and enhancements to campus life. Wake Forest Baptist will invest $400 million in its mission of patient care, research and education.
“Wake Will: The Campaign for Wake Forest“ represents the largest mobilization of support for the University mission in the institution’s 179-year history. The University has raised approximately $315 million toward its $600 million goal. Wake Forest Baptist has raised more than $133 million and will publicly launch its complementary campaign once half of its $400 million goal has been reached.
Approximately 400 campaign volunteers, donors, alumni and friends gathered Thursday night to celebrate the public announcement of the campaign and recognize the importance of philanthropy to the success of Wake Forest.
“Wake Will is our promise to prepare students to lead lives that matter,” said Wake Forest University President Nathan O. Hatch.
Wake Forest will fund several initiatives over the course of the campaign, investing:
- More than $190 million in student scholarships and debt relief
- More than $130 million in endowed faculty chairs, professorships and resources necessary to attract and retain top talent; and
- More than $280 million in world-class facilities and faculty and student programming.
Donald Flow, chairman and CEO of the Flow Companies based in Winston-Salem, chairs Wake Forest’s Board of Trustees and also serves as the chair of the campaign. “Now is the time to celebrate and grow the culture of philanthropy that makes the Wake Forest experience possible,” said Flow. “With the help of alumni, parents and friends, Wake Forest will create opportunity, educate the whole person and inspire excellence for generations to come.”
More information is available at the campaign website, http://wakewill.wfu.edu, and through social media using the hashtag #WakeWill.
Media Opportunity:
The University will introduce “Wake Will: The Campaign for Wake Forest” to faculty, staff and students during an all-campus celebration today from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Manchester Plaza. Members of the news media are invited at this time to talk with President Nathan Hatch, Campaign Chair Don Flow, and Student Campaign Chair Taylor Anne Adams, a senior from Houston, Texas, majoring in Communication. This will also be an excellent opportunity for b-roll and to capture student reaction.
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About Wake Will: The Campaign for Wake Forest
Wake Forest University and Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center will significantly increase their impact on the region, the nation and the world by investing $1 billion over the next five years to strengthen and renew their ability to carry out their respective missions. With the help of alumni, parents and friends, the University will invest $600 million in students, faculty and enhancements to campus life. Wake Forest Baptist will invest $400 million in its mission of patient care, research and education through a complementary campaign to be shared with supporters in the near future.
About Wake Forest University:
Wake Forest University combines the best traditions of a small liberal arts college with the resources of a large research university. Founded in 1834, the school is located in Winston-Salem, N.C. The University’s graduate school of arts and sciences, divinity school, and nationally ranked schools of law, medicine and business enrich our intellectual environment. Learn more about Wake Forest University at www.wfu.edu.
