Commencement Weekend
BAG CHECK POLICY
New this year: Bags will be checked for Baccalaureate, hooding ceremonies, and Commencement. Please advise your guests.
Important information
Baccalaureate Service
Sunday, May 19, 2019
9 a.m. | Wait Chapel
A complimentary ticket is required.
Limit of 2 tickets per graduate.
Graduation Exercises
Monday, May 20, 2019
9 a.m. | Hearn Plaza
A complimentary ticket is required.
Limit of 8 tickets per graduate.
Commencement Speakers Announced
Washington Post Publisher Fred Ryan to Deliver 2019 Commencement Address at WFU
Frederick J. Ryan Jr., publisher and chief executive officer of The Washington Post, will deliver Wake Forest University’s commencement address on Monday, May 20.
During his time at The Washington Post, the newspaper has been recognized for excellence in journalism with multiple Pulitzer Prizes, and twice named by Fast Company Magazine as the “World’s Most Innovative Media Company.”
Until August 2014, he served as President and CEO of Politico, which he co-founded in 2007.
Ryan is recommended for the honorary degree, Doctor of Laws (LL.D.).
Baccalaureate speaker is Gary Haugen, CEO and founder of International Justice Mission (IJM)
Also joining Wake Forest for the commencement weekend will be baccalaureate speaker Gary Haugen, CEO and founder of International Justice Mission (IJM) – a global organization that protects the poor from violence throughout the developing world.
Haugen has been recognized by the U.S. State Department as a Trafficking in Persons “Hero” – the highest honor given by the U.S. government for anti-slavery leadership. His work to protect the poor from violence has been featured by Foreign Affairs, The New York Times, the New Yorker, The Times of India, Forbes, U.S. News and World Report, the Guardian and National Public Radio, among many other outlets.
Haugen is recommended for the honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters (LH.D.).
2019 Honorary Degrees
Julius LeVonne Chambers
Former Director-Counsel, NAACP Legal Defense Fund and former Chancellor, N.C. Central University – Chambers is recommended for the honorary degree, Doctor of Laws (LL.D.), to be awarded posthumously.
Jeffrey A. Davis, EVP and Chief Financial Officer
Qurate Retail Group – Davis is recommended for the honorary degree, Doctor of Laws (LL.D.).
Carla Hayden
Librarian of Congress – Hayden is recommended for the honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters ( LH.D.).
Sandy Ouellette
President R and S Ouellette Inc. – Ouellette is recommended for the honorary degree, Doctor of Science (Sc.D.).
Philip A. Pizzo
Former Dean, Stanford Medical School – Pizzo is recommended for the honorary degree, Doctor of Science (Sc.D.).
A Message From President Nathan O. Hatch
Let me offer my deepest congratulations to the members of our graduating class! Their achievements and successes are why we will gather together and celebrate in May.
Commencement is an exciting time in the life of any college or university and a weekend I look forward to every year. Students, families, faculty members and friends gather to celebrate the culmination of a considerable academic accomplishment.
One long-standing Wake Forest tradition is held on Sunday afternoon of Commencement weekend when many academic departments host receptions. At the heart of a Wake Forest education is the faculty, and I hope all of you will make time to attend the reception sponsored by your student’s major area. Take a moment to meet some of the outstanding faculty who have worked with your student throughout his or her time on campus.
We all look forward to welcoming you and your family to campus for Commencement. Tickets are required for many of the weekend’s events, so I encourage you to register and make travel arrangements early. I look forward to celebrating with you in May.
Sincerely,
Nathan O. Hatch
President
Info for Graduating Students
- Apply to graduate by Nov. 30
- Cap & gown and graduation announcements
- The Howler & senior portraits
- Name pronunciation form
- Your diploma
- Checklist for graduating students
- Graduate Assembly Instructions
- Severe weather plan
- Commencement Office FAQs