UNCF to Honor Wake Forest President Susan R. Wente with Luminary Award

UNCF announced it will present Wake Forest University President Susan R. Wente with the Luminary Award for her “embodiment of UNCF’s mission” at the Second Annual Triad “A Mind Is….®” event on Feb. 7.

As Wake Forest president, Wente has supported efforts to enhance student access and affordability. In 2021, she used her inaugural address to announce the “For Humanity Scholarship” initiative, which has raised more than $150 million to support student financial aid. During her tenure, Wake Forest also launched an Early Action process to provide a new pathway for first-generation college students to come to Wake Forest. In 2025, she announced North Carolina’s Gateway to Wake Forest University, making it possible for accepted students from North Carolina with annual family incomes less than $200,000 per year to attend tuition-free.

Held in Greensboro, the UNCF event is chaired by Dr. Adia K. Ross, chief medical officer at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist High Point Medical Center, and Rev. Dr. Frank K. Thomas, senior pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in High Point and board member of North Carolina Baptist Hospital and Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.