Students cross the stage to receive their diplomas.

More than 1,700 graduates and their families gathered on Hearn Plaza under sunny skies for the 2012 Commencement Ceremony. In his speech, Charlie Ergen, the chairman of Dish Network and EchoStar Communications, urged graduates to be curious, try new things, get really good at something, and have the courage to go “whole hog.” Read more »

Read the full text of Ergen’s address »

Photo galleries:

View the Commencement photo gallery »
View the Baccalaureate photo gallery »

Hatch addresses graduates:

President Nathan O. Hatch

President Nathan O. Hatch, in his remarks to the Class of 2012, said he hoped they would nurture the art of conversation. “For a place like Wake Forest, conversation is at the heart of what we do because it combines ideas and human interaction, the intellectual and the personal.” Read more »

Meet the class of 2012

View all senior profiles »

Read more than 30 senior profiles in the Old Gold & Black’s Class of 2012 special section »


Turner named Rhodes Scholar

Brandon Turner

Brandon Turner, a Wake Forest senior who studies biophysics and plays rugby, has been named a Rhodes Scholar. Turner, who is from Fontana, Calif., conducts research on the molecular structure of proteins.

Students receive Fulbright grants

Seven recent Wake Forest graduates have been awarded Fulbright scholarships — the most prestigious international exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government — to teach English or conduct research abroad during the next year.

Senior receives Community Impact Student Award

Amy Liang

Senior Amy Liang is one of 20 students statewide to receive the Community Impact Student Award and a certificate of appreciation from Governor Bev Perdue for her work to combat hunger and homelessness. The award recognizes her volunteer efforts and her ability to inspire others to get involved.

Career begins at ‘Mother, So Dear’

2012-2013 Wake Forest Fellows

For a group of ten seniors, Commencement marks a time to say goodbye to many of their friends, but they don’t have to bid farewell to “Mother, So Dear.” That’s because this group is the 2012-13 class of Wake Forest Fellows and will work on campus in areas from the President’s office to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.


Student Storytellers: Seniors in their own words


TEDx comes to Wake Forest

Lucy Lan

Chemistry major Lucy Lan was not only gearing up for her senior year at Wake Forest, but also thinking about ways to inspire innovation and entrepreneurship on campus. Then it hit her. Why not bring a TED-like event to Wake Forest?

The science of dance

Senior chemistry major Tara Seymou has been dancing since she was 4 years old. She never imagined she would be dancing out the process of DNA replication for a college course.

Improving literacy in Peru

Sarah Wheeler traveled to Peru to explore her interest in using theatre as a way to improve educational experiences.

With help from computer science professor Paul Pauca and Pauca’s father, Victor, seniors Ryan McCarthy and Sarah Wheeler used their stage talents to help improve reading comprehension for children at an orphanage in Peru.


More stories about seniors:


Programs

Gallery: Commencement 2012

Commencement 2012

WEBCAST
John Collins ('12) and Samantha Howell ('12).

Watch the graduation ceremony »

VIDEO

Watch interviews with students, parents and faculty »

MEDIA COVERAGE

Winston-Salem Journal (green) »
Winston-Salem Journal (grads) »

BORN TO BE DEACONS
Two multi-generation familes, the Roach family, left, and the Vann family, right. From left, Gerald, Stephanie, Davis, and Emily Roach, and Karen, Curtis, and John Vann.

Seniors Curtis Vann and Emily Roach both come from a long line of Wake Foresters dating back to the old campus, and their fathers – John and Gerald – became best friends and roommates in Taylor Hall more than 30 years ago. »

SCHOOL OF LAW HOODING

Senior Justice of the Virginia Supreme Court Elizabeth Bermingham Lacy addressed 165 graduates »

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS HOODING

Eric Wiseman (’77, MBA ’88), the chairman, president and CEO of VF Corporation, addressed the graduates »

BACCALAUREATE SERVICE
Wake Forest University hosts its Baccalaureate Service in Wait Chapel on Sunday, May 20, 2012.

RETIRING FACULTY
Bill Gordon

Bill Gordon: Professor of Psychology »

ALSO RETIRING

  • Arun P. Dewasthali, associate professor of business, 37 years of service
  • Miriam E. (Miki) Felsenburg (MBA ’78, JD ’91), associate professor of legal writing and adjunct professor of management, 18 years
  • Earl Smith, Rubin Professor of American Ethnic Studies and professor of sociology, 17 years

SENIOR ORATIONS

See also: Senior video