The fall semester is always an exciting and transformational time at Wake Forest. Along with new faces, new opportunities seem to present themselves and enrich our community everyday.
In the coming weeks, we will begin three important discussions on campus through a series of advisory committees. These committees will include a combination of students, faculty and staff to ensure that different constituencies at Wake Forest have their voices heard in a meaningful, productive and collaborative way. The following is a summary of each advisory committee:
1. Commencement Speaker Advisory Committee – This committee will have three primary functions: to establish a more visible and transparent process for the campus community to submit names of potential commencement speakers, to help generate a list of possible choices, and to help inform and generate interest among graduating seniors (and others at Wake Forest) about our next commencement speaker. Chaired by Provost Rogan Kersh, membership will be primarily student-based with representation from a few faculty members and administrators.
2. Vice President for Campus Life Advisory Committee – For more than 30 years, Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs Ken Zick has served Wake Forest with unsurpassed dedication and passion. This representative group will serve an advisory role in the search process now underway for the individual who will succeed VP Zick when he steps down from his administrative position at the end of this academic year. Provost Kersh will co-chair this committee with me.
3. Chick-fil-A Campus Dialogue Committee – Wake Forest students, faculty and staff have expressed various viewpoints on the comments made by the President and COO of Chick-fil-A. This group will facilitate dialogue and discussion about issues raised as a result of these statements and the presence of Chick-fil-A on campus. Its membership will include representatives from administration, faculty, staff and students. Provost Kersh will convene this committee.
Membership to each committee is currently being finalized. I look forward to sharing more information with you as we address these important aspects of campus life together.
