Dr. Susan R. Wente
On July 1, 2021, Wake Forest welcomed its 14th president, Dr. Susan R. Wente. Like Wake Forest itself, Wente has a history of taking bold steps in education. She was selected not only for her exceptional reputation as an acclaimed academic and charismatic leader, but also for her vision of Wake Forest as a welcoming, inclusive community that will continue to make positive change in the world.
Wente is a renowned biomedical scientist who served as Vanderbilt’s provost and vice chancellor for seven years and interim chancellor for eleven months. She led Vanderbilt’s efforts to restructure the relationship between the university and its medical center, which affords her valuable insight into the recent partnership between Atrium Health and Wake Forest Baptist Health. Never far from the lab or classroom, Wente models Wake Forest’s distinctive teacher-scholar ideal and has continued to mentor and conduct research with undergraduates throughout her administrative career.
Our Motto Means More
Pro Humanitate calls upon our community to engage in the fundamental questions about what it means to be human. It invites us to use our ideas, knowledge, talents and compassion on behalf of humanity in all its diversity — in short, to be catalysts for good.
Walk With Wente
At Wake Forest, we celebrate faculty who are both outstanding teachers and brilliant scholars. To celebrate our community of inquiry, President Wente invites faculty members to share their contributions and insights with the Wake Forest community by joining her on a “Walk with Wente,” a new video series.
Engagement
Social: Follow or Mention
Talk with the President
- Students: Gold & Black Chats (with VP for Campus Life Shea Kidd Brown)
- Faculty & Staff:
Wednesdays with Wente
Events
Fill out this form to request the President’s attendance.
Annual Presidential Address
Dr. Wente’s delivered her presidential address on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at Brendle Recital Hall in Scales Fine Arts Center.
Watch the video and read the speech »
Strategic Framework
In undertaking this visioning exercise by the full Wake Forest community, the university affirmed its values and set its aspirations for its third century.