Founders Day 2026: Take a stroll through Wake Forest history

Founders Day will take place on Thursday, Feb. 19, at 4 p.m. in Wait Chapel. The celebration includes remarks from President Susan R. Wente, the annual senior oration, the presentation of the Medallion of Merit to Drs. Julie A. Freischlag and J. Wayne Meredith (MD ’78), and musical selections from the University Chamber Choir. The event will be followed by a light reception for all attendees in the Green Room on the first floor of Reynolda Hall. The ceremony will be livestreamed for those who are unable to attend in person. Guests are encouraged to RSVP by Feb. 12.

Founders Day invites us to pause and reflect on the history of Wake Forest and how those early moments continue to shape who we are today. Leading up to Founders Day, anyone can take a stroll through the university’s rich history by accessing the University’s Special Collections & Archives in the ZSR Library. The University Archives serves as the primary repository for Wake Forest historical records. 

The selected digital collections below invite the campus community to step into that history and explore it in new ways.

• History of Wake Forest University Oral Histories: This oral history collection (2013-ongoing) consists of audio and video interviews conducted by Z. Smith Reynolds Library’s Special Collections & Archives and other university departments and programs.
• Howler Yearbooks: Over 100 years of Wake Forest yearbooks available online via DigitalNC.org
• Old Gold and Black: Digital copies of Wake Forest University’s Old Gold and Black student newspaper. Issues span from 1916 through 2007.
• The Student: 10 years of The Student, the Wake Forest literary magazine, available online via DigitalNC.org
• University Archives Photograph Collection: This photograph collection covers Wake Forest University’s deep history. It captures images of people, places and events dating back as early as 1881.
• Wake Forest Catalogues & Bulletins: Over 100 years of Wake Forest catalogues and bulletins available online via DigitalNC.org
• Wake Forest Commencement Programs: Over 100 years of Wake Forest commencement programs available online via DigitalNC.org
• Wake Forest Magazine: Digital copies of Wake Forest University Magazine publications from 1928 to 1998.