This letter represents the view of Old Gold & Black Deputy Editor Miriam Fabrycky, not the Old Gold & Black.
To the future president of Wake Forest University:
I’ll be honest in saying that I don’t envy you. It’s an extraordinarily difficult time to hold any position in higher education, and most of all to act as the public face of an academic institution.
When Wake Forest reveals your name in May, I’m sure that some members of our community will react with skepticism and grumbling, no matter who you are. You’ll hit the ground running this July and face competing demands from students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, peer institutions, donors, Winston-Salem residents and even the federal government.
It won’t be easy. Each of your decisions will satisfy some and upset others. But I am confident that you will rise to the challenge of leading this school—especially if you adhere to a few key practices.
Connect with campus
The presidential search committee has already prepared you well for this critical task. Hold their encouragement close to your heart and “get to know Wake Forest and get to love Wake Forest.”
Walk around campus and strike up conversations. Make an effort to remember names, whether you’re speaking with the student body president, a staff member from our custodial services, a bright-eyed freshman, an adjunct professor or a star athlete.
Listen a lot. It’ll help you understand who and what makes this campus come alive. And on that note…
Preserve what the Wake Forest community loves
Your first few months in office will hopefully form your understanding of this university’s values and priorities. Trust the community when they tell you what they love about this school: the close-knit atmosphere that fosters strong academic and social connections, the breathtaking natural beauty that adorns campus year-round and our fundamental commitment to the motto “Pro Humanitate.” Your decisions will stick the landing when you properly value these core tenets of the Wake Forest identity.
Push us to imagine
Remain true to the heart of Wake Forest, but propose bold ideas. Carefully determine which long-standing campus dynamics are rightfully beloved and which are stagnant. Without losing sight of what the university already is, think expansively about what Wake Forest could be.
Articulate specific goals for the community, and be prepared to explain how your decisions will move us closer to that vision. When you inevitably encounter roadblocks, speak with transparency and honesty.
Most importantly, get excited to join such an energetic, innovative and storied community. We can’t wait to meet you.
