Fall is on the horizon
In this Issue:
- OPCD webinar for P’26s/senior families tomorrow (Oct. 7)
- Dates of future OPCD webinars for families
- Technology Do’s and Donuts tomorrow (Oct. 7)
- Richter Scholarship virtual info session Weds. (Oct. 8)
- Weekly message for P’29 families
It’s a new week, and dare I hope we are closing in on fall weather that is here to stay? The forecast for today and tomorrow is a high of 80, but then the forecast shows highs only in the 60s and 70s for the next 2 weeks. I’ll take it.
Today I have a few program notes about upcoming opportunities for families, as well as our weekly message for P’29s, which might just apply to other years as well. Take what serves you, skim past anything that does not.
OPCD webinar for P’26s/senior families tomorrow (Oct. 7)
My colleagues from the OPCD and the Office of Family Engagement asked me to share this invitation for families of seniors (P’26s):
“The Offices of Family Engagement & Personal and Career Development (OPCD) invite you to attend a special webinar for parents & families of seniors graduating in May 2026 to discuss: Supporting Your Senior: College-to-Career Made Clear
The webinar will feature the following topics:
- What’s happening in the current internship & job markets?
- What do our students’ perspectives teach us about how we can best support them?
- What is the experience of current Wake Forest students who utilize the OPCD?
Featured presenters from the OPCD: Andy Chan, Vice President, Dr. Heidi Robinson, Associate Vice President and Associate Professor of the Practice. In addition to Andy and Heidi, a student panel will share their experiences and how they have benefited from the opportunities provided by the OPCD.
If you have specific questions you would like addressed, please ask them here.
OPCD Webinar for the Class of 2026 Parents
Tuesday, October 7
5:00-6:00 p.m. ET
This event will take place via Zoom Webinar. We will share the Zoom webinar link on October 7 by 12:00 p.m. ET with those registered for the session. If you cannot attend, a webinar will be posted to the OPCD website as soon as possible following the event.
If you experience any difficulties with registration, please contact: Janelle Cunningham, Office of Family Engagement, cunninj@wfu.edu.”
Dates for future OPCD webinars for families
The OPCD and Office of Family Engagement invite families to save the sates for future webinars they are planning:
- Sophomore/Junior Families (i.e., P’27s and P’28s): Tuesday, October 21
- First Year Families (P’29s): Tuesday, November 11
I do not yet have information on time of day, nor do I have the registration link. But you can save the date on your calendar and I will publish the information once I receive it.
Technology Do’s and Donuts tomorrow (Oct. 7)
As part of Cybersecurity Month, there is an event tomorrow that might interest your Deacs (hint: free donuts and coffee!):
“Join us in the Tribble Hall Courtyard from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. to learn about all things Wake Forest tech, recharge and enjoy donuts and coffee with Information Systems at our 4th annual Technology Do’s and Donuts. We’ll highlight our many Wake Forest technology resources including super wifi, friendly tech support, software, high performance computing (HPC) resources, cybersecurity safeguards and user-friendly mobile apps. And not least of all…we’ll have donuts! Lots of IS staff will be on hand with answers, fun merch and prize giveaways.
Information Systems proudly hosts Do’s and Donuts in partnership with CLASS’ Academic Resources Awareness Week.”
Richter Scholarship virtual info session Weds. (Oct. 8)
What is the old Frank Sinatra line, “regrets, I’ve had a few“? Well, that is how I feel about me not applying for the Richter Scholarship during my student days.
Wake has an amazing program funding global undergraduate research called the Richter Scholarship. The scholarship awards up to $6,000 to cover travel and living expenses:
“Follow in the footsteps of musicians, artists, authors, or statesmen; study architecture, ruins, landscapes, or climates; experience cultures, artistry, innovations, or disparities; or conduct experiments, analyses, interviews, or investigations. As a Richter Scholar, you can engage in any of these types of opportunities. The Richter program provides funding for globally-oriented independent research and study that is devised, initiated, and carried out by individual students, with mentorship, guidance and expertise provided by a faculty mentor. Graduate and undergraduate students are encouraged to pursue enriching and engaging projects that have the promise of being life-changing….
The scholarship is named as a ‘Once in a lifetime opportunity,’ allowing students to conduct their very own independent research project abroad with help from a faculty mentor.”
My colleagues who work with the Richter wanted to share the dates for upcoming info sessions:
“Wake Forest University students, join us for a virtual info session for the Undergraduate Richter 2026 scholarship program! Tune in from 12-1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 8 and learn about conducting an independent research project abroad!”
They will also be hosting another info session on Oct. 22, though the link is not live yet. Interested Deacs should follow the Richter Scholars Instagram account.
I wish I had applied for a Richter during my time at Wake. May your Deacs be smarter than I was.
Weekly message for P’29 families
Today’s weekly message for P’29s is about having realistic expectations about the college journey. I’ll give you a preview by way of an illustration:
And while this message was explicitly written for first-year families about the adjustment to college, it might equally apply to families of students trying to find a job or internship, or apply to graduate/professional school, etc.
Sometimes keeping those expectations realistic is the best thing for everyone.
Wishing you and your Deacs a great week!