Inside WFU – news for faculty and staff

Staff and faculty milestones May 2018

May 25, 2018

See a list of staff and faculty milestones for May 2018:

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Janet Williams named vice president for finance

May 24, 2018

This announcement was emailed to faculty and staff on behalf of Executive Vice President Hof Milam on May 24:

Dear Faculty and Staff,

I am pleased to announce that Janet Williams has been named Wake Forest’s new vice president for finance.  Janet, who currently serves as interim vice president of the Division of Finance and Administration at Ithaca College, will assume her duties on July 1.

She will be responsible for managing, planning and overseeing the financial areas of the University to ensure the University’s capacity to fulfill its educational mission and vision.

Janet has more than two decades of experience in financial leadership positions with colleges, universities and Fortune 500 companies. She brings to Wake Forest a wealth of experience in strategic planning, operations management, financial management and budget development. Her exceptional managerial skills, deep understanding of financial operations and commitment to strengthening the Wake Forest community make her an excellent person to fill this vital role.

She will have responsibility for the management and operation of the business and finance areas of the University including accounting, student financial services, accounts receivable, accounts payable, campus financial services, financial information systems, procurement, risk services, fiscal planning, financial statement preparation, contract negotiations, payroll, treasury services and investments.

As interim vice president of the Division of Finance and Administration at Ithaca College, she serves as the College’s chief financial officer and treasurer. She has led the college’s finance and administration team and overseen the college’s fiscal resources, information technology programs, physical facilities, auxiliary services, and financial services.

She joined Ithaca College as controller in January of 2016 and was appointed interim vice president the following summer. Prior to joining Ithaca College, she served for four years as Director of Finance and Administration for the Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences at Cornell University.

Janet also served in several senior management roles with Lockheed Martin, Corning Inc. and Kraft Foods. She began her career as a staff auditor with Ernst and Young. She holds a B.B.A. in accounting from the University of Texas, Austin, and an M.B.A. in production operations management from the University of North Texas, Denton.

Please join me in welcoming Janet and her family when they join our community this summer.

Sincerely,

Hof Milam,
Executive Vice President

Dean Suzanne Reynolds to step down after 2018-2019 academic year

May 23, 2018

President Hatch emailed this announcement to faculty and staff on May 23:

Dear Wake Forest Faculty and Staff,

After nearly 40 years of exceptional service to Wake Forest University School of Law, Suzanne Reynolds has decided that the 2018-2019 academic year will be her last as dean.

Dean Reynolds, who joined the Wake Forest law faculty in 1981, will return to the law school faculty on July 1, 2019, at the completion of her fifth year leading the school. She served as interim dean for a year before being appointed dean on July 1, 2015.

Our law school has been on a remarkable trajectory under Suzanne’s steadfast guidance – even as legal education nationally has faced many challenges. Her numerous contributions include a vision that ensured Wake Forest has continued to set the highest standards in legal education, the addition of new academic programs to meet evolving needs of legal professionals, and mentorship of our law students that exemplifies the blend of research and practice that distinguishes the school.

For example, the 2019 U.S. News & World Report rankings recognized the law school as No. 32 in the nation, its second highest position ever and third rise in the past three years. In addition, Wake Forest graduates earned the highest North Carolina bar passage rate in 2017 and an even higher rate among all states where numbers of its graduates sat for the bar.

Reynolds has worked tirelessly to “bring law to the world” by moving the law school’s Master of Studies in Law (MSL) degree wholly online and adding four online-only graduate certificate programs as well as increasing the number of online JD courses.

And, she has been instrumental in reconnecting law school alumni with the University. During her tenure as dean, she has helped secure more than $15 million in gifts and pledges for student scholarships and financial aid, faculty and programmatic support ​and the Worrell Professional Center.

Known nationally for her expertise in family law, Reynolds will continue to work on a new edition of a three-volume treatise on North Carolina family law that has become the authoritative source for law students, lawyers and judges.

This summer, Provost Rogan Kersh will chair a national search for her successor. We are fortunate to have experienced associate deans in the law school who will help make the transition as smooth as possible.

Please join me in thanking and congratulating Dean Reynolds for her continued leadership of the law school and her incredible service to Wake Forest.

Sincerely,

Nathan O. Hatch
President

Comings and goings for April 2018

May 21, 2018

See a list of employees joining and leaving the University in April 2018: Read more

Wake Forest commencement will be held on Hearn Plaza

May 20, 2018

This announcement was emailed to students, faculty and staff on May 20 by Wake Forest Communications and External Relations:

Wake Forest University’s 2018 commencement ceremony will take place Monday, May 21, as originally scheduled on Hearn Plaza. No changes are expected in the day’s schedule and activities.

Commencement will begin sharply at 9 a.m. on Hearn Plaza. Graduates should arrive to line up by 8 a.m.

According to recent weather forecasts, rain is unlikely at Wake Forest during the time of commencement. Partly cloudy, humid and warm weather is predicted. All attending commencement are encouraged to stay hydrated due to the weather conditions. University leaders will continue to monitor the weather.

In case rain showers occur, ponchos will be available for graduates. Guests are encouraged to plan accordingly by bringing their own rain gear and shoes appropriate for soggy ground conditions.  While umbrellas are allowed, golf umbrellas are not allowed. Umbrellas may not be opened in the seating areas.

As always, those attending commencement are advised to read the Commencement Information Booklet.

Parking on campus will be limited. To avoid traffic congestion, guests are encouraged to use the commencement shuttles from the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, which will begin running at 5:30 a.m.