Two News Stories to Share
In this Issue:
- WFU’s Educating Character Initiative to expand its nationwide network promoting character education with $30M in new funding
- School of Medicine Opens Charlotte’s First Four-Year Medical School, Welcomes Class of 2029
Happy Friday, Daily Deacdom! For any of you with students in Summer Session II, it’s the end of the first week of class, and I imagine our students are looking forward to the weekend.
Today I have two news stories to share with you: one on our Program for Leadership and Character, and one about our new School of Medicine in Charlotte. Enjoy!
WFU’s Educating Character Initiative to expand its nationwide network promoting character education with $30M in new funding
Exciting news about the important work the Program for Leadership and Character have been doing: “The Educating Character Initiative (ECI) will expand its support for character education at colleges and universities across the country with more than $30 million in new funding from Lilly Endowment Inc.
The ECI has built a community of educators from more than 400 higher education institutions engaged in developing and implementing ideas for integrating character education on their campuses. The new funding will add $10 million to the Institutional Impact grants awarded by the ECI this year and provide $20 million to fund and support another round of grants to institutions in 2026….
‘Lilly Endowment’s founders firmly believed that character formation is essential to the flourishing of individuals, families and the larger society,’ said N. Clay Robbins, Lilly Endowment’s Chairman and CEO. ‘We are gratified to see increasing interest from colleges and universities across the country in deepening their own work in character education, and we are pleased to be able to help them do so. More than ever, it is imperative that a new generation of morally and ethically grounded leaders is educated to rebuild trust and enhance civic engagement in our country and world.'”
Dr. Wente shared her thoughts about this announcement on X: “This extraordinary vote of confidence provides support for the Educating Character Initiative through the end of the decade and affirms Wake Forest’s leadership at the forefront of this critical movement.”
This is great news for Wake Forest, and for all schools who are interested in character formation. Read the full announcement.
School of Medicine Opens Charlotte’s First Four-Year Medical School, Welcomes Class of 2029
The future doctors are in! Our new medical school in Charlotte is officially open:
“The School of Medicine is welcoming the Class of 2029 to its two campuses, including the inaugural class of four-year medical students to its new Charlotte campus at The Pearl innovation district. Previously the largest U.S. city without a four-year medical school, the arrival of this first class of students marks a transformative step in expanding access to medical education and advancing health care innovation across the Southeast and beyond….
With an average age of 24, the inaugural four-year class comprises nearly 50 students — one-third of whom are from across North Carolina. Enrollment is expected to increase to 100 students per class over the next five years.”
I found this tidbit particularly interesting: “Historically, about one-third of students at Wake Forest University School of Medicine stay in North Carolina after graduation, and most go on to practice near where they trained.”
So for any families with Deacs who aspire to med school – and who like living in NC – they now have another potential med school option for them. Read the full story.
Wishing you all [in the words of my late P’92 mother], a safe, happy, and healthy weekend!