Big News Day
Today the campus received an email with some big academic leadership announcements: President Wente has appointed Michele Gillespie, current Dean of Wake Forest’s College of Arts and Sciences, to succeed Rogan Kersh (’86) as University Provost, effective July 1st. After a sabbatical year, during which time he plans to travel and teach abroad, Rogan Kersh will continue his teaching and research at Wake Forest as Distinguished University Professor. Senior Associate Dean Anthony Marsh will serve as Interim Dean of the College, effective July 1, while the University engages in a national search for a new Dean of the College. Read the full message.
I have had the honor of working very closely with both Rogan and Michele for many years, and had come to know Tony more through shared COVID work. We are fortunate to have such exceptional academic leaders at Wake Forest. These are people of not only phenomenal academic backgrounds, but also great character, and the work they do is always centered on what is best for our students’ academic growth and development. I have great affection and admiration for all three.
The bonus for your students is that they will now have the opportunity to take more of Rogan’s classes. He is such a charismatic, interesting lecturer. One of my great regrets was that he was not faculty when I was still a student, because I am certain I would have loved his classes. My congratulations and thanks to Rogan, Michele, and Tony for all they have done – and will continue to do – for Wake Forest.
In other news, one of our happy spring traditions is coming up: Arnold Palmer Day! Wake Forest has a proud history in golf, and Arnold Palmer is the most famous golfer of them all! Each year, the Traditions Council celebrates Arnold Palmer’s birthday with cake, giveaways, and – you guessed it – Arnold Palmers (half iced tea, half lemonade). This year’s Arnold Palmer Day will be held on Thursday from 11 am-1 pm on the Mag Quad (aka Manchester Plaza).
I just learned of a new class being offered next fall: CNS 253: Peer Education, which will be taught through the Department of Counseling on Tues./Thurs. at 10 a.m. The course is a full semester course for 2 credits and allows students to become nationally-certified peer educators. This would be a great opportunity for students interested in wellbeing topics such as mindfulness, resilience, consent education, and suicide prevention.
For families who live in SC, GA, and FL, the Wake Forest University Chamber Choir is going on tour in early May and may be coming to a city near you. The choir is described as follows: “The Chamber Choir is the premier choral ensemble at Wake Forest University, made up of students who represent a cross section of the campus. Talented undergraduate and graduate students from multiple academic disciplines dedicate four hours each week to study choral repertoire spanning every era from the Middle Ages to the 21st century, including modern pop, jazz, folk-style, and newly commissioned compositions.” We encourage you to support our choir if you live in one of their touring areas.
Great news from the School of Business: “Wake Forest University School of Business part-time Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is once again recognized among the best programs in the country, ranking at No. 19 among part-time programs nationwide and No. 1 among those in North Carolina, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 Best Graduate Schools list.” Whether you are considering going back to school, or your Deac might be considering an MBA, be sure to check out our graduate business programs.
The Office of Residence Life and Housing sent this message to students who will be living off-campus for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Finally today, for our P’25s, your Deacs got their issue of Letters So Dear yesterday; you can read the full archives here.
— by Betsy Chapman, Ph.D. (’92, MA ’94)