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Founders’ Day

Convocation 2013

The Wake Forest family gathers for the Founders’ Day Convocation every February to observe the University’s founding in February of 1834.

2013 Founders’ Day Convocation

The event is a celebration of the year’s accomplishments, highlighted by a focus on the senior class and several awards.

Three seniors present their senior orations reflecting on their four years at Wake Forest. Every year, faculty members nominate outstanding seniors to prepare orations; 10 students are invited to present their orations before a faculty panel at the Senior Colloquium, and the panel selects the three finalists. In addition, a video tribute to the senior class is shown.

The University’s highest honor, the Medallion of Merit, is presented to someone who has rendered distinguished service to the University, including past presidents, trustees, benefactors, alumni, and retired faculty and administrators.

Six awards will be presented to faculty members to recognize excellence in teaching, research and service. Two alumna who received the Marcellus Waddill Excellence in Teaching Award last fall also will be recognized.

Information for Faculty

Regalia: University Events lends plain black robes and mortarboards (not hoods) to faculty who will be processing for Founders’ Day Convocation on Thursday, February 21, 2013.

Faculty members wanting to borrow regalia should send height, hat size, and contact information to Melissa Avent at aventme@wfu.edu by 5 p.m. Tuesday, February 19.  Mortarboards will be available in a range of sizes at regalia pickup if hat size is unknown.

Pick up:  Robes and mortarboards will be set up outside the Green Room off Hearn Plaza at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, February 21, 2013, before the ceremony.

Return: Faculty should return regalia to the same location immediately following Convocation. Late returns should be made to the University Events Office in the Alumni Hall Building. If items are not returned after a reasonable period of time, the faculty member’s department will be charged a replacement fee.

Processing: All processing faculty should meet in their regalia no later than 3:40 p.m. on Thursday in front of the post office on Hearn Plaza.