New book shares essays by WFU former president Thomas Hearn Jr.

December 15, 2022

The Center for Creative Leadership has published “Leaves From A President’s Notebook: Lessons On Life And Leadership,” by Thomas K. Hearn Jr. 

The book shares short essays that reflect Hearn’s thoughts on matters ranging from growing up in rural Alabama to current topics including leadership development, college athletics and the role of the modern university.

Hearn was named Wake Forest University’s 12th president on June 23, 1983, and served until 2005, the second-longest tenure in the University’s history. He led Wake Forest from being a well-regarded regional college to one of the top national universities in the United States. 

The broad green lawn at Wake Forest that stretches from Wait Chapel to Reynolda Hall was given the name of Thomas K. Hearn Jr. Plaza in his honor. 

His efforts to raise the University’s national profile were recognized in 1994 when U.S. News & World Report moved Wake Forest into the national universities category in its annual college rankings. Wake Forest has ranked among the top 30 universities in the country every year since.

In 2006, he received the University’s highest award for service, the Medallion of Merit. Also in 2006, he received the North Carolina Award for public service, the highest honor given by the state of North Carolina.

Hearn was a past chairman and board member of the Center for Creative Leadership.

A biography of Thomas K. Hearn Jr. is available at Wake Forest News.