Commencement Speaker Named
In this Issue:
- Commencement speaker named
- Baccalaureate speaker named
- Out of the Forest website for graduating seniors
- Seniors and Bell Tower Tours
P’26s (and any ’26s reading!), today’s Daily Deac is all about you. Let’s talk about Commencement…
Commencement speaker named
The Commencement website dropped some big news today:
“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 the late age of 13. At 15, she won first place in the Music Center Spotlight Awards. In September 2000, Copeland joined the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) as a member of the corps de ballet. In 2015, she was promoted to principal dancer, becoming the first Black woman to hold the position in the company’s 75-year history. Copeland retired from the ABT in 2025.
Author of the New York Times best-selling memoir, ‘Life in Motion,’ Copeland recently released “Letters to Misty,” which shares her advice to young dancers, inspired by the letters she has received over the years. Copeland’s book series for young children, ‘Bunheads’ and ‘Bunheads 2,’ was inspired by her early experiences in ballet.
‘Misty Copeland’s trailblazing career is a masterclass in purposeful excellence,’ said Wake Forest President Susan R. Wente. ‘Not only did she ascend to the pinnacle of her field, she widened the path for everyone behind her.'”
Baccalaureate speaker named
“Also joining Wake Forest for the commencement weekend will be baccalaureate speaker Rev. Eugene Cho, president and CEO of Bread for the World, a nationwide Christian advocacy organization that educates on hunger and equips people to advocate for policies to end it in the U.S. and around the world. He preaches and speaks about Bread’s mission to end hunger, justice and leadership at the intersection of faith and public life.”
Out of the Forest website for graduating seniors
The Out of the Forest website has a host of resources for graduating seniors, including workshops about finances after college, making the transition from college to what’s next, and the benefits that come with being a Wake alumna/us.
Seniors and Bell Tower Tours
Seniors will want to keep an eye out for information and tabling about the 1834 Student Giving Campaign throughout the Spring and especially on March 19th, Deacs Day of Giving. While the 1834 Campaign is open to all students, there are special incentives for seniors who choose to participate, including getting invited to sign up for a Wait Chapel Bell Tower tour later in the Spring.
There is limited space in those Bell Tower Tours, so it is to seniors’ advantage to make their gift to the 1834 campaign and then act quickly once they get the email inviting them to sign up to get in a Bell Tower tour. The priority giving deadline for the first Bell Tower Tour invitation is Monday, March 23rd. With the Bell Tower tours filling up quickly, Seniors who make their gifts after March 23 may not be able to participate in the tours.
And sadly, parents/families cannot make the gift for their students; students have to do this on their own. More info to come when I have it.
I can’t wait to hear Misty Copeland’s address. Go Deacs!