Thursday Thoughts
In this Issue:
- From Wente’s Desk: Leading with character and integrity, for humanity
- Info on Spring 2026 housing (esp. for students returning from abroad)
- Dedication of Hopkins Hall this Saturday
Before we get started today, want to make a correction: in yesterday’s item about the conversation with our alumnus who leads internal communication at Home Depot, I misspelled his name: he is Paul Mayer (’05). My apologies to Paul!
It’s almost Homecoming and campus is so busy, so we’ll get right to it.
From Wente’s Desk: Leading with character and integrity, for humanity
President Wente has published a new blog post at From Wente’s Desk. Here is an excerpt:
“Character is forged in challenge, and integrity defines how we respond. Leading with character and integrity – especially at Wake Forest — means embracing what is distinctly human: community, creativity, and optimism. And my time as President of Wake Forest has only reinforced my belief in Wake Forest’s capacity to cultivate just these kinds of leaders for a world that needs them.
Wake Forest students, faculty, and staff at all levels are embracing our distinctive calling to proactively shape who we are, not just what we know.”
Read more in this month’s From Wente’s Desk.
Info on Spring 2026 housing (esp. for students returning from abroad)
Planning for Spring 2026 housing continues, which is of particular interest to students returning from the fall semester abroad. Students received a message this morning about the housing process with more details.
One thing I want to mention as a reminder for students who are currently abroad: Martin Hall is the one hall currently unoccupied, so that is where we would imagine abroad students moving into this spring. Once all Martin beds are claimed, students would be filling vacancies in existing doubles (i.e., one of the two fall roommates leaves for the spring semester, thus making an opening). Urge your abroad student to have realistic expectations.
Dedication of Hopkins Hall this Saturday
Homecoming Weekend is always a wonderful celebration of alumni, but this Homecoming will be extra special: on Saturday, Oct. 25, Wake Forest will host a dedication ceremony to rename South Residence Hall to Hopkins Residence Hall in honor of Larry (‘72, MD ’77) and Beth (‘73) Hopkins, in recognition of their extraordinary contributions as former students, faculty members and leaders.
Beth Hopkins graduated from Wake Forest in 1973. After earning a law degree from William & Mary, she served as a federal prosecutor and a civil rights attorney. She served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Virginia and Louisiana and as an Assistant Attorney General in Virginia.
Beth Hopkins returned to Wake Forest in the 1980s to work in the legal department and teach an undergraduate course on race and the courts. In 2010, she joined the law school to lead the pro bono and public interest programs as the inaugural director of the Smith Anderson Center for Community Outreach. She has done extensive work for the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and received the Billie Jean King Champion of Equality award in 2023.
Beth also received Wake Forest’s 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award. She is well-known throughout the Wake Forest community as an exceptional teacher, mentor and advocate.
Beth’s late husband, Larry Hopkins, was a physician and an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Wake Forest School of Medicine. He served thousands of patients in the community and was a valued role model and teacher for hundreds of medical school students. In 2020, he received Wake Forest’s highest honor, the Medallion of Merit, in recognition of decades of service to the University and the community. He was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award in 1987.
More than 50 years ago, Dr. Hopkins enrolled at Wake Forest, where he emerged as a standout student and football player. In 1972, he graduated with a degree in chemistry. After declining a contract from the New England Patriots, Hopkins enrolled in the Wake Forest School of Medicine. He earned his medical degree in 1977 and enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he rose to the rank of major before returning to Winston-Salem to practice medicine.
This video about Dr. and Mrs. Hopkins is really beautiful. I hope you take a couple of minutes to watch it. They have made Wake Forest, and Winston-Salem, a better place through their leadership.
You can watch the livestream of the Hopkins Hall dedication on the University’s Facebook page at 10 a.m. this Saturday. A recording of the event will be posted after Homecoming weekend.