"Donna Edwards" Archive

Next Steps in our Shared Commitment Toward a More Equitable Community

On Aug. 10, President Susan R. Wente shared a message to campus. Read the full message on her site.

Leadership and Character conference to explore character in the professions

Poster for the "Character and the Professions" conference March 18-20, 2021 with the text "A virtual conference hosted by Wake Forest University and the Oxford Character Project" and the title "The Program for Leadership and Character" and the seven-pointed star logo

Leading scholars will join physicians, attorneys, religious leaders, government leaders, engineers, educators, business executives and other professionals to explore the role of character in the professions at a three-day virtual conference.

“Character and the Professions,” hosted by the Program for Leadership and Character at Wake Forest University and the Oxford Character Project at the University of Oxford, will be held Thursday, March 18 through Saturday, March 20.

In partnership with the Face to Face Speaker Forum, the conference will feature an opening keynote session with former U.S. Secretaries of State, Madeleine K. Albright (1997-2001) and General Colin L. Powell (Ret.) (2001-2005), who will discuss leadership and character in public life. This virtual session will be held Thursday, March 18, at 7 p.m. and moderated by President Nathan Hatch. The conversation is a preview to Albright and Powell’s re-scheduled in-person event on Nov. 9 at Wake Forest.

In addition to prominent scholars from around the world, conference speakers will include former U.S. Representative Donna Edwards, General Electric CEO Larry Culp, former CEO of Catholic Relief Services Caroline Woo and many others across various professional fields.

Wake Forest School of Divinity Dean Jonathan L. Walton will deliver the March 19 keynote address on “Character and Religious Leadership.”

The conference is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Visit Wake Forest News for more information about the Character and the Professions conference and the Nov. 9 Face to Face Speaker Forum event.

Meet former Congresswoman Donna Edwards on campus today

Donna Edwards

This is a guest post of the Office of the President:

Today, President Hatch will host another Leadership Project event – an initiative to champion leadership development at Wake Forest and bring inspiring stories to students from world-class leaders.

Donna Edwards (’80), former Congresswoman and Wake Forest alumna, is the invited speaker for this semester’s program. Edwards served as the U.S. Representative for Maryland’s 4th congressional district from 2008 to 2017 – the first African American woman to do so. While in Congress, Edwards championed human rights and advocated for criminal justice reform, increased access to quality education in low-resourced communities, and affordable healthcare for all.  Earlier in her career, she worked for Lockheed Corporation at the Goddard Flight Space Center and co-founded the National Network to End Domestic Violence, as well as led other non-profit organizations. Edwards is currently on an epic RV road trip promoting awareness of state and national parks.

Students, faculty, and staff are invited to take part in two community programs as part of her visit back to campus. The first is an afternoon “Leadership Project Rally” on the lawn in between Johnson and Bostwick Residence Halls from 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM. Hot dogs, burgers, popcorn, snow cones, hot chocolate and coffee are available free of charge as participants have an opportunity to meet Congresswoman Edwards and learn a bit about her experiences. The Office of Sustainability and Outdoor Pursuits will also take part, sharing valuable resources about our state park system and exploring the outdoors.

Later in the evening, President Hatch will explore Edwards’ life and philosophy at length as part of a keynote conversation in Farrell Hall’s Broyhill Auditorium at 6 p.m. Attendees will also be invited to ask questions.  Through the discussion, President Hatch is hopeful members of the community will take another step in enriching their own approach to leadership.  For more information about today’s events, visit lead.wfu.edu.

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