Ballet dancer, author and founder Misty Copeland, who made history as the first Black woman to become a principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, will deliver Wake Forest University’s commencement address on Monday, May 18. The ceremony will take place on Hearn Plaza and begins at 9 a.m. Copeland began her ballet studies at…Categories: University Announcements
Two Wake Forest University School of Medicine researchers are among 15 innovation pioneers who will be honored in the 2026 class of National Inventors Hall of Fame ® Inductees Dr. Louis Argenta and Dr. Michael Morykwas, both professors emeriti of plastic and reconstructive surgery, co-invented Vacuum Assisted Closure, a medical device that uses controlled suction…Categories: Awards & Recognition
As 2026 begins, Wake Forest economics professors are available to decode the partisan bias in GDP data, discuss the rounding reality of a pennyless economy, and explain how prediction markets are transforming Super Bowl betting. Economic forecasts are dominating the headlines. New research from Wake Forest University suggests these "objective" numbers might be less neutral…Categories: Experts
The German Men’s National Team has selected Winston-Salem as its home base for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, choosing Wake Forest University and The Graylyn Estate as its official training site and team headquarters – bringing one of the world’s premier soccer programs to the Triad and placing Winston-Salem on an international stage. As part…Categories: Community Impact, University Announcements
When William Farfan-Rios hikes through the remote forests of the Peruvian Amazon and Andes, he’s doing much more than feeding his appreciation for the natural world. He’s trying to identify the trees that can survive a warming climate—and, ultimately, save one of the world’s largest carbon sinks from collapse. As a biodiversity fellow in forest…Categories: Experts, Research & Discovery
You might have seen headlines sounding the alarm about the safety of an emerging technology called agentic AI. That’s where Sarra Alqahtani comes in. An associate professor of computer science at Wake Forest University, she studies the safety of AI agents through the new field of multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL). Alqahtani received a National Science…Categories: Experts, Research & Discovery
Wake Forest University celebrated the groundbreaking today for an office building at The Grounds that will house 400 University staff when it is completed in 2027. “This place will be a hub of great energy, excitement and collaborative work,” said Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Jackie Travisano. A lunchtime celebration was held at…Categories: Community Impact
For many, making New Year’s resolutions is a way to chart a path toward new behaviors or away from old ones. Jan. 1 offers the promise of making changes to improve health and happiness. But setting goals and achieving them is hard. “Making a specific plan can actually free up mental energy to accomplish goals,”…Categories: Experts, Research & Discovery
Wake Forest University today announced a transformational $20 million gift from longtime benefactor and football alum Bob McCreary (’61), one of the most generous philanthropic leaders in Demon Deacon history. This landmark investment further elevates Wake Forest Football’s competitive trajectory and reinforces the extraordinary momentum established in head coach Jake Dickert’s first season. McCreary’s new…Categories: Transformative Giving
On a cold December morning in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, activist, artist and filmmaker Joel Tauber walked with Rebecca and Sarah, guiding them with a firm grip as they dashed across Robinhood Road during morning rush hour. People honked their horns and waved as they drove by, drawn by the unusual sight of two sheep on…Categories: Arts & Culture, Environment & Sustainability