"Chaplain's Office" Archive

Reaffirming support for our transgender community

This message was emailed to students, faculty and staff on Feb. 23 by University administrators Rogan Kersh, Penny Rue and Barbee Oakes:

Dear Wake Forest students, faculty and staff:

We have reviewed new guidance from the Department of Education and the Department of Justice regarding transgender students. This Dear Colleague Letter rolled back significant guidance issued last May delineating institutional responsibility to treat trans students according to their gender identity.

On behalf of Wake Forest University, we are in full support of our transgender community. We invite you to read the thoughtful message, prepared by LGBTQ Center Director Angela Mazaris and Program Coordinator Kayla Lisenby, which affirms our values and support for all people. We are fortunate to have such caring leadership in our LGBTQ Center, which has been at the forefront of providing education, advocacy, and support to the campus community around issues of gender identity and sexual orientation since its inception in 2011.

In addition, our Transgender Policies Workgroup formed last fall aims to ensure that Wake Forest provides the best possible experience of inclusion for trans members of our community – students, faculty, staff, and visitors – and it will continue to do so. The recently released Dear Colleague Letter does nothing to change our steadfast commitment to helping create a safe and supportive educational and work environment for trans students and colleagues. Leaders across the University share our affirmation.

Now is the time to reach out and provide support to members of our transgender community as we seek to create an inclusive, welcoming and supportive campus. Our LGBTQ Center, Counseling Center, Student Health, Dean of Students Office, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Chaplain’s Office and many other campus resources are all ready and eager to help students navigate the shifting legal landscape and claim their place here at Wake.

Sincerely,

Rogan Kersh, Provost
Penny Rue, Vice President for Campus Life
Barbee Oakes, Chief Diversity Officer

Reynolds Professor Emeritus Dudley Shapere

This message was emailed to faculty and staff from Communications and External Relations on Jan. 3:

We are saddened to announce that Dudley Shapere, Reynolds Professor Emeritus of the Philosophy and History of Science, died Dec. 26.

A Winston-Salem Journal obituary announced on Dec. 29 that a memorial service will be held in the summer of 2017.

Dr. Shapere joined Wake Forest in 1984 as Reynolds Professor.  He retired in 2002.

We grieve Dr. Shapere’s death and extend our condolences to his family and friends, as well as those at Wake Forest who had the opportunity to know him.

Wake Forest offers support and counseling services for all students, faculty and staff.  The Counseling Center may be reached at 336-758-5273, the Chaplain’s Office at 336-758-5210. For faculty and staff, there is also the Employee Assistance Program at 336-716-5493.

Wake Forest Communications and External Relations

December 2016 staff milestones

See a list of staff milestones in December 2016: Read more

Categories: Staff News

A message from President Hatch concerning Hurricane Matthew

This message was emailed by President Hatch to students, faculty and staff on Oct. 10:

In the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, Wake Forest University offers its support to students, alumni, parents, faculty and staff who have loved ones in affected areas.

While Winston-Salem was outside the storm’s direct impact and those on our campus are safe, we are concerned about people along the Eastern seaboard, including eastern North Carolina, and are mindful that many in our campus community have family and friends that were in the storm’s path.

We encourage you to contact the following resources, should the need arise:

  • The University Counseling CenterChaplain’s Office, Campus Life and resident advisers are available to listen to students who need to speak with someone here.
  • Parents are encouraged to contact the Office of Family Engagement at parents@wfu.edu should the University need to be aware of any extraordinary circumstances affecting their students.
  • And, as always, our Alumni Office is here to assist with the needs of Wake Forest graduates.

For those wishing to volunteer time or donate to relief efforts, the North Carolina VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) has links to agencies supporting disaster relief.

The University will continue to monitor recovery efforts and determine what specifically we can do to help students here as well as the greater Wake Forest family.

Sincerely,

Nathan O. Hatch
President

June 2016 comings and goings

See a list of employees joining and leaving the University in June 2016:

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