Wake Forest University holds its annual Commencement ceremony in the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Monday, May 17, 2010.

Commencement was held inside for the first time since 1991, but that didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of 1,600 graduates and their families. American Express CEO Kenneth Chenault urged the graduates to lead lives of Pro Humanitate. Read more »

Hatch addresses graduates

Nathan O. Hatch
Nathan O. Hatch

In his remarks to the graduates, President Nathan O. Hatch talked about the “virtue and vice” of ambition. “How do you relate the drive for achievement, to make a name for yourself, with the commitment to live for the common good — Wake Forest’s motto Pro Humanitate? Read more »

Meet the class of 2010

Meet 2010 Grad: Christopher Smyre
Meet 2010 Grad: Cameron Evans
Meet 2010 Grad: Monica Petrescu
Meet 2010 Grad: Rich McPherson
Meet 2010 Grad: Benjamin Wooster
Meet 2010 Grad: A.J. Warr
Meet 2010 Grad: Janelle Summerville
Meet 2010 Grad: Michael Crouse
Meet 2010 Grad: Anna Nicodemus
Meet 2010 Grad: Emily Mann
Meet 2010 Grad: Monica Kitt
Meet 2010 Grad: Melissa Beckett
Meet 2010 Grad: Tony DeMartino
Meet 2010 Grad: Rebekah Bray

View all senior profiles »


Senior orations

The Fear We Do Not Understand” (Monica Giannone)
The Road Less Traveled” (Kate Miners)
We are Wake Forest” (Zahir Rahman)

See also: Senior video


What’s on your ‘bucket list’?

Visit the Old Campus and Pilot Mountain; eat one last time at Bell Brothers and Cook Out; thank professors and friends; and finally understand Tribble Hall’s awkward split levels: those are just a few of the things on graduates’ “bucket lists.”
Read more »


Seniors leave a lasting legacy

Several seniors are leaving behind projects that will continue to have an impact on campus and beyond after they graduate — from a new scholarship program, to a GPS system for the campus shuttle, to a new book that explains cancer to children.
Read more »


Senior Showcase highlights research projects

Courtney Vris, Anna Nicodemus and Mallory Durr were selected by their faculty mentors to present their senior projects at the Z. Smith Reynolds Library’s first Senior Showcase.
Read more »


Fourteen seniors named Wake Forest Fellows

Fourteen seniors will remain at Wake Forest following graduation as Wake Forest Fellows, working for the next year in the President’s Office, Information Systems, University Advancement and in other offices.
Read more »


Senior’s project helps Dominican children attend school

Senior Laura George’s new program, Look Smart, provides school supplies and uniforms to children in the Dominican Republic and recently was recognized as a semifinalist in Dell computer’s Social Innovation Competition.
Read more »


Senior wins Community Impact Award

In recognition of her volunteerism over the last four years, senior Amy Bachman was one of 27 college students from across North Carolina to be awarded the Community Impact Student Award and a certificate of appreciation from Governor Beverly Perdue.
Read more »


PROGRAMS

Download Commencement programs PDF

Gallery: Commencement 2010

2010 Commencement

WEBCAST

Ishmael Larry Smith

Watch the graduation ceremony »

BY THE NUMBERS

Quick facts, trivia »

PAST SPEAKERS

Look back at the words, wisdom of past Commencement speakers »

MEDIA COVERAGE

Winston-Salem Journal »

News 14 »

SCHOOL OF LAW HOODING

Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers addressed 161 graduates »

SCHOOLS OF BUSINESS HOODING

David Farr, chairman, CEO and president of Emerson, delivers the address »

BACCALAUREATE SERVICE

Wake Forest University holds its Baccalaureate Service in Wait Chapel on Sunday, May 16, 2010, for graduates and their families.

Read the sermon by Bill Leonard, dean of the School of Divinity »

View the photo gallery »

RETIRING FACULTY

Larry WestLarry West: Professor of German »

Tom Roberts: School of Law »

Pat RobertsPat Roberts: School of Law »

ALSO RETIRING

  • J. Gaylord May, Ph.D., Professor of Mathematics
  • Michael R. Adams, D.V.M., Professor of Pathology
  • Lewis H. Nelson III, M.D., Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • James F. Toole, M.D., Professor of Neurology
  • Lawrence X. Webb, M.D., Professor of Surgical Sciences

HONORARY DEGREES

  • Kenneth I. Chenault, Chairman and CEO of American Express Company, Doctor of Laws
  • Jeannette Wallace Hyde (’60), University trustee and former U.S. ambassador to Barbados and Grenada, Doctor of Laws
  • Thomas Spencer Inui, president and chief executive officer of Regenstrief Institute, Inc., the Sam Regenstrief Professor of health services research, and the associate dean for health care research at the Indiana University School of Medicine, Doctor of Science
  • Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, the president of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Doctor of Laws