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 »
Read more than 30 senior profiles in the Old Gold & Black’s Class of 2012 special section »
Turner named Rhodes Scholar
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
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’
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
- Robert Gmeiner: Faith, Service, Learning
- Max Denker: Habitat for Humanity, a learning partner
- Carrie Stokes, Rachel Handel: Research in India
- Meredith-Leigh Pleasants: Service trip guides career path
- Kristen Bryant: Service in Vietnam
- Kasha Patel: Art and chemistry
- Claire McLellan: Relating physics to the real world
- Kevin Smith: Forum for black male students
TEDx comes to Wake Forest
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
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:
- Students rise to roles as twins (Jake Meyers, Ryan McCarthy)
- Constant and true (Nilam Patel)
- New Zealand connections (Laura Mayerchak, Caroline White)
- Experience inspires outreach (Paul Loeser)
- Music competition tests students’ mettle (Jacob Eichhorn)
- Can a video game cure cancer? (Anqi Zou)
- Kony 2012: a student’s firsthand experience (Hunter DeKoninck)
- Global issues on a local scale (Tamara Guillen)
- Advertising the liberal arts (Ally Landuyt)
- Goodwill and good health (Grace Wandell)
- Student co-authors radiology study (Roman Nelson)
Programs
WEBCAST
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
SCHOOL OF LAW HOODING
Senior Justice of the Virginia Supreme Court Elizabeth Bermingham Lacy addressed 165 graduates »
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS HOODING
BACCALAUREATE SERVICE
- View the audio slideshow »
- View the photo gallery »
- Read the sermon by Jonathan T.M. Reckford, CEO, Habitat for Humanity International »
RETIRING FACULTY
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
- “The Power to Strive Forward” (Hsien-Ching “Jean” Chen)
- “Don’t Give Me an Education″ (Amy Gardin)
- “Easy as Pi” (Brandon Turner)
See also: Senior video