Letter from President Susan Wente

Dear friends,

Colleges and universities have long played an essential role in cultivating the leaders and citizens of character needed for society to thrive. Higher education now sits at the center of public discourse on issues ranging from artificial intelligence and freedom of speech to the value of research and teaching in today’s society. Our response to this moment has been a familiar one to generations of Wake Forest students, faculty, and staff: we lead with character

Every one of us has the ability to lead from where we are, and to lead by example, in both formal and informal roles. The power of our collective leadership grows when we strengthen our academic mission, extend our collective ethic of care, and embody our shared calling to Pro Humanitate.

Thanks to the work of the Program for Leadership and Character, along with its many partners on campus and across the country, Wake Forest University is proud to stand at the forefront of a national movement in higher education focused on the study and cultivation of leadership and character. By nurturing an authentic and enduring Wake Forest value — the pursuit of good for humanity — Wake Forest has made leadership and character education an integrated, sustainable, and enterprise-wide commitment that has grown from our undergraduate college and taken hold in Wake Forest’s law and medical schools as well. I am especially proud of the Program’s emphasis on sharing its discoveries with other colleges and universities through the Educating Character Initiative and, in turn, learning from them. This is what it looks like to be a catalyst for good in society.

Character is forged in challenge, and integrity defines how we respond. Leading with character and integrity — especially at Wake Forest — means embracing what is distinctly human: community, creativity, and hope. My time as president of Wake Forest has only reinforced my belief in our capacity to cultivate these kinds of leaders for a world that needs them.

Our efforts to educate leaders of character are only possible because of the imagination and dedication of the Program’s faculty, staff, and affiliates, as well as the many individuals and foundations whose guidance and generosity make this work possible at Wake Forest and far beyond. Thank you for being a part of this transformative effort.

Susan R. Wente, Ph.D.
President
Distinguished University Professor of Biology and Biochemistry
Wake Forest University