Tuesday Notes

In this Issue:

• Correction re: first day of class
• P’29s: how to find the August 20-21 parent and family Orientation schedule, and weekly message
• Congratulations to Chef Burns!

If someone would have told me at the start of the summer that we’d have a 2-day stretch in August where the high temperature was the upper 60s, I would have called them a liar. And yet here we are:

Winston has been very hot and dry throughout July, so cooler temps and rain are welcome news.

And many thanks to all who wished me well with my rotator cuff injury. Happily I got a cortisone shot yesterday and I feel like a new woman today. Mostly now what hurts is that my Gen X proud, independent self doesn’t want to admit there are things I can’t do anymore (even though I feel like I ought to). Perhaps some of y’all can relate to that.

On to today’s news!

Correction re: first day of class

There was a typo in yesterday’s Daily Deac re: FDOC (First Day of Class). The post should have read as follows (bold shows correction):

“Our First-Year Families page will be updated for our P’29 families whose students will start in the fall of 2025. Note that this page is really not active until the first day of classes (August 25), as currently all P’29 information is on our New Students website section for families. Once school begins, we will run a weekly message about some aspect of the college transition that might be germane to your first-year students, and I will reference those in the Daily Deac.

Starting August 25, all P’29s will want to stop using the New Students website altogether.”

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

P’29s: how to find the August 20-21 parent and family Orientation schedule, and weekly message

I have received a few questions this week from incoming P’29 families about how/where to access the Orientation schedule for parent and family activities on August 20-21. Here is how you get there:

“Download the 2025 New Deac Welcome Week schedule: Go to your APP or Google Play store and search “WFU Orientation Programs” to access the New Deac Welcome Week 2025 guide and view the schedule for families.”

We have the Orientation schedule in the Guidebook app only, as it allows students and families to select sessions they wish to attend, get reminders before each session starts, etc. We do not publish the schedule on the New Students website because it is more efficient to have all activities in one location only, Guidebook, so that if we need to add or change any events, we are only making edits in one place (if you have multiple published schedules, you run the risk of someone forgetting to update the web or the app and that creates confusion for all). We appreciate your understanding.

And our Weekly Message for P’29s, we talk about the importance of students making their own decisions and plans and our Stop, Drop, and Roll framework, and some tips for planning for the first night home without your ’29.

Congratulations to Chef Burns!

I saw this great news on Deacon Dining’s Facebook page and wanted to share:

“After taking home gold at the regional ACE Competition, Chef Jonathan Burns has now brought his talent to the national stage, and once again, he rose to the occasion. Competing at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley, Chef Burns joined top chefs from across the country for a high-pressure Mystery Basket Challenge that tested every element of culinary mastery.

Each chef was tasked with creating a four-course tasting menu using only the surprise ingredients in their basket with no substitutions. From timing and technique to creativity, presentation, and flavor, every detail was judged by a panel of culinary experts. The kitchen was buzzing, and Chef Burns’ precision, innovation, and heart shined through in every course.

Now, we’re proud to share that he’s one of just three chefs selected to advance to the Enterprise ACE Competition, the final tier of this elite series.

Representing both Harvest Table and Deacon Dining, Chef Burns brings more than skill to the table. He brings a deep commitment to sustainability, community partnerships, and redefining what campus dining can be.

From shoveling BBQ pit coals in his early days to preparing award-winning meals rooted in purpose and flavor, his journey is a powerful reminder of how passion and persistence can change everything.

This fall, he’ll head to Aramark Headquarters to compete for the ultimate title, and we’ll be cheering him on every step of the way.

Way to go Chef Burns!”