As an entering freshman, I had high expectations because I felt well prepared for the academic rigors and had confidence that I could contribute to a competitive football team. In Pahokee, Florida my home town, I had enjoyed immense success as a serious student and a dedicated ball player. I was surrounded by a huge loving family and three other close friends who had travelled the road with me from elementary school through high school and then college. We made a pact to make a difference at Wake Forest, and we did. We would not accept failure, and there were no excuses for non-performance.

As I became accustomed to the campus, I found a few surprises. The campus was not as ethnically diverse as I thought it might be, and some white as well as black students felt erroneously that football players were not hard workers in the classroom. My parents had always expected me to do well because my dad was a scholar athlete at Mississippi State. I had to equal his record and do better. In my household, if the homework was not done, then there would be no tossing of the football after class. I respect what my parents taught me about the interplay of school and sports and am glad that I listened to them. I was not admitted on a wing and a prayer to Wake Forest. My SAT scores were well within the range of many other of the accomplished students. Moreover, I worked hard to become a better student.

There were professors who inspired me and pushed me to let my light shine. Dr. Ed Hendricks, Dr. Howell Smith, Dr. Sarah Watts, and Dr. Beth Hopkins all added to my academic growth and would not allow me to perform below my level of capability. Although the school curriculum was demanding and sometimes overbearing, with the right academic support, organization, and passion for learning, an athlete can do well here in the class room. Doug Bland encouraged me to be a history major, and I am glad that I took his advice. Coach Grobe, Coach Faircloth, and my position coaches had a personal interest in my development as a student, a player, and as one who gave back to the community.

Coach Hood, the person who was the most vital influence regarding my development as a "man", once told me that he would know whether he was a great coach ten years from now, when we became husbands, fathers, and contributing men in our communities. However, at that time, I did not understand the importance of the message he was relaying. As I think about Coach Hood's comment, I can honestly say that I finally understand the magnitude of it. It was simple; Coach Hood clearly cared more about me and my teammates as people than players. It is this comment that I thought was an irrelevant saying that changed my life, and now I try to model my life through this particular comment: care more for others, than I care for myself. Through my experiences at Wake Forest, I was able to see Coach Hood's teachings manifested in the way I conducted my affairs. I made the right choice in coming to school here, and I will always cherish the Black and Gold.

I believe in Wake Forest because of the opportunity I've been given to start something new. Wake Forest encourages students to explore education outside of the classroom. As an art history and economics double major, I've had a very diverse liberal arts education, but starting my own business through the Office of Entrepreneurship and Liberal Arts has helped me to enrich that education in a real-world setting.

Being the only Chinese student from Hong Kong in 1956, the enormous feeling of belonging never truly struck me until one day in the late 1960s, when my brother Sam, a Bowman Gray graduate, and I were standing at the sideline of a practice green at the Royal Hong Kong Golf Club when Arnold Palmer was giving a golf demonstration. When Arnie spotted the WFC pennant that we were proudly holding, he stopped everything and ran over to hug us warmly. Wake Forest was not a very well known name in the Far East and all the club members there were impressed to witness this manifestation of close-knit emotion. I truly felt the warmth of belonging to the Wake Forest family.

My classmates were amazed that my father, Dr. Chi-Fung Lam, founding president of the Hong Kong Baptist University, was invited to be the commencement speaker during my graduation in 1960 in Wait Chapel. After returning home, through Bob Mills, Presidents Scales and Hearn, I have enjoyed many opportunities of reuniting and entertaining numerous alumni, presidents, professors, friends of WFU and student groups, arranging factory visits and sightseeing. This camaraderie, mutual bond of friendship is what Wake Forest stands for to me. After immigrating to the States with my family in 1995, I served two terms as a member of the Board of Visitors from 1996 to 2004, further deepening my belief in my alma mater.

I am proud also that my two sons, Tim Jr. ('93) and Marcus ('98), are co-owners and operators of the International School of Hospitality in Las Vegas, following the Wake Forest tradition of providing caring, quality education by offering short-term career development programs in hospitality.

I believe in Wake Forest because it is more than a university, it is a community of past, present and future generations all bound by a common thread. I believe that common thread is based on both tangible and intangible characteristics of Wake Forest that have remained constant over the years.

Thinking about the rich history of the university, there have certainly been many changes over the 175 years, yet the guiding principal of Pro Humanitate has been a moral compass that has steered students for generation after generation and the benefits of this focus are beyond measurement for they carry through the lifetime of all alumni. The combination of an academic environment that challenges yet remains nurturing, a culture that stresses the importance of personal relationships with your professors, emphasis on moral development and of giving back, small class size, big-time sports as part of the ACC, are all very tangible reasons why it is easy to believe in Wake Forest.

The intangibles are harder to quantify, but surely the absolute fun of being a student is hard to beat; the spark of meeting someone and realizing you both went to Wake Forest even if your time there did not overlap; seeing a WFU shirt or hat and no matter where you are the world feeling like you can approach that person and have the Wake Forest connection; commonalities across the years of our memories of our time there — the friends, the experiences, the clubs, sports, the hanging out time, all that goes beyond the classroom is hard to quantify but part of what makes Wake so special.

Because I believe in WFU, it is the yardstick against which I measure all other universities, for while many have some of what Wake Forest offers, none offer everything that Wake Forest does. When our twins were looking at colleges and deciding where they wanted to attend, it was a struggle to even find any comparables to consider. The more we visited other universities, the more I realized that Wake Forest University is truly unique and is an admirable model that no one else emulates in the world of higher education.

I believe in WFU because the more I see of other schools, the more I realize how extraordinary WFU is. I absolutely loved my time as a student, but with each passing year, my appreciation for Wake Forest has grown and with each year, I am more and more proud to be Deacon!

There is a strategic alignment of leadership, unique assets, community and intentional action that will propel this institution forward in a way that no other higher ed organization in the national can advance. I believe in Wake Forest because it has helped me believe in myself.

I believe in Wake Forest because it believes in and offers unlimited opportunity and encourages taking the risks to learn, explore, succeed and lead — and to make a meaningful life.

Wake Forest is a very personal and special place, rich in tradition yet very adaptive to the changing times. With it's national recognition and relative small size, Wake Forest competes successfully at the highest levels, academically, athletically, and spiritually. Wake Forest provided me with an atmosphere that stressed human values and educated the 'Whole Person,' with the constant awareness that there is a much larger purpose in life. When I encounter alumnae and friends, I feel an immediate bond. One that breeds instant friendship and sense of pride. I believe in Wake Forest for when I attended , it was truly, 'the road less traveled' … and it has made all the difference.

I believe in Wake Forest because Wake Forest professors, administrators and staff believe in the students. Quite honestly, these people make the University what it is and allow for a close-knit bond that allows students to be themselves, to study and work earnestly and to retain edifying friendships that push them to succeed. I would thank these people in my life who pushed me to pursue my greatest ambitions.

I Believe in Wake Forest and a Chapel that stands in wait,
Of Georgian Bricks and Magnolia Trees and Reynolds fine Estate,
Of Journeys along Tobacco Road and that Learning is Lifelong,
Of Gold & Black and Deacon Joy and the Sadness of Brian's Song.

I Believe in Wake Forest and in Southern Minds like Cash.
Of Ammon's Punctuation and a smiley Man clearing Trash.
Of Wilson the Romantic and the Army of "the King,"
Of Primrose Hill and Grand Canal and flowing Hearts that sing.

I Believe in Wake Forest and raising a finest Glass,
Of Greensboro Lunch Counters and Doctor Billy's science Class,
Of a steely Name in loss and a papered Quad in white,
Of Reynolda House and Gardens and Lovefeast Candles alight.

I Believe in Wake Forest and a mystic Name to cheer,
Of the Number Five raised in the Air and the Deacon's stately leer,
Of Pro Humanitate and with noble praise to thee,
Of all of Us who hold her dear and herald for Humanity.

I believe in Wake Forest because all the things that I learned about myself while at WFU are like threads that have now woven together to become the person I am today. What a great experience to enable me to find my true calling and purpose in this world.

I learned a great deal about life in my time at Wake Forest and about how I could become a successful graduate. College was the most important time in my younger years because I was getting personal attention from a very special person, Dr. Tom Mullen. In fact, all the professors that I had were truly spectacular. Cronjie Earp was an outstanding teacher in Latin. I also did a great deal with Dr. Thane McDonald who was head of the music department. My son, Everett "Rett" B. Padgett, III, graduated from Wake Forest in 1995. I continue to greatly honor Wake Forest for its wonderful education and athletic events!

I believe in Wake Forest because Wake Forest believed in me. As a poor kid from rural Appalachia, college was unchartered territory for my entire family. Because I was so uncertain that my dream of going to college would come true, I wouldn't allow myself to dream any further. The day I stepped onto the Wake Forest campus, I felt at home. I had found the place I wanted to attend, but had no idea how it could happen. I needed complete financial assistance. I applied for grants and scholarships, and Wake Forest came through for me. I received a Brown scholarship and a National Merit Scholarship. Those, along with federal financial aid, paid for every penny of my college education. I even had spending money each semester. Second semester of my third year, I wanted to attend the program at Worrell House in London, but it cost $3,000 more. Dean Tom Mullen himself called me at home to tell me that I would be receiving an additional grant that paid the expenses. I left Wake Forest with no financial debt, a feat I would not have thought possible four years previously. I also left Wake Forest with lifelong friends, an incredible education, and a deep sense of gratitude to this amazing institution and the people who make it great. I gained the confidence I needed to go on to law school. I am now a senior attorney at Pisgah Legal Services, where I serve hundreds of low-income clients each year, have written millions of dollars worth of federal grants for my community, and am a local leader on housing issues. At some point during my years at Wake Forest, I began to believe in myself and allowed myself to dream beyond college. I am now living a life that allows me to see my dreams come true. I continue to believe in Wake Forest because I know that it continues to give opportunities to kids just like me, year after year.

I believe in Wake Forest's capacity to develop young people's responses to personal, professional and spiritual challenges in a world where the velocity of change continues at an almost unimaginable rate. Wake Forest's determination, regardless of its size, to perform at the highest possible levels among our nation's universities, prepares its graduates to burst through barriers and focus on a future of limitless possibilities.

I applied early decision to Wake Forest, and I am happy to say that I got accepted! It is a dream of mine come true to be going to Wake Forest next fall. In my immediate family no one has gone from high school to a four-year college or university and graduated. I believe in Wake Forest for many reasons, but mainly because Wake Forest believes in me. When I received my acceptance letter in a way it was like Demon Deac said, "I believe in you and I know you will do Wake Forest proud."

I believe in Wake Forest because of the opportunities it provides. Wake Forest encourages students to be multifaceted, and the opportunities presented to students are innumerable. Whether you are interested in athletics, the arts, study abroad, volunteering, or academic research, the University is personable enough to allow you to pursue your interests, and the faculty is accessible enough to encourage you to do so.

I believe in Wake Forest because Wake Forest cares. It cares about competing on all levels ranging from athletics to academics, with a goal toward excellence in the pursuit of all. It cares to accomplish on levels that are rarely seen by a school of its size. It sets goals and cares about its faculty, students and staff, meeting or exceeding them. It cares enough to prepare its graduates to go forth and be successful, and to be good people. Wake Forest cares to accomplish with humility and class. It is a reverent place that allows those associated with it to feel protected, yet unrestrained to explore and to grow. Rarely do I encounter a graduate who does not strike me as a well-rounded, caring and successful person. Wake Forest cares that its graduates continue to care about the institution — what it is today, and what it needs to be in the future. Wake Forest is a home, a place to which we can always return and know that we are welcome. I like that feeling.

As a transfer student, Wake Forest accepted me unconditionally as if I had always been a part of its community. Students were friendly; faculty were welcoming; academics were challenging; athletics were exciting; and student life was fun! I studied under classic professors: Ed Wilson, Bynum Shaw, David Smiley, Forrest Clonts, and Jasper Memory. I made lifetime friends who still nourish my mind, challenge my thinking, and lift my spirits. My entire experience, including graduate work, was stimulating. I literally looked forward to each new day. Had I had a weaker heart, I would never have made it! As a Double Deacon with other advanced degrees, I was invited back to campus in 1990. For 17 years I enjoyed my time in the senior administration working in the offices of the president and provost. Now as faculty, I am equally content. I get to teach the next generation of Deacons! There is much to love about this beautiful place, its admirable people, its heroic heritage; and its mystic, almost undefinable, but real quality of life. That is why I believe in Wake Forest!

I believe in Wake Forest because it is an institution built on caring relationships. It is an institution where people learn to genuinely care about other people, and because of those caring, nurturing relationships, it makes an indelible mark upon life after life, generation after generation. I attended Wake Forest because of an alumnus who cared about me. That propensity for caring is one of the most important things I learned while at Wake Forest, and during my lifetime, others have followed that same black and gold path through Wake Forest because I cared about them. In these days when "change" seems to be such a popular theme, Wake Forest University continues to make its mark because it doesn't just change lives, it changes them for the better. Let there never be any doubt, I believe in Wake Forest.

I believe in Wake Forest because I know the heart of the place. Wake's heart can't be found in the dusty tomes in the library, on the picturesque green of campus, or at the top of stately Wait Chapel. The heart of Wake Forest beats in all of us who love the place, all of us who have been a part of it, and especially those of us who have been lucky enough to call Wake Forest home. The heart of Wake Forest is the people who pulse through campus in yearly intervals as short as four or as long as forty. We have an undeniable connection thanks to our love of this little piece of heaven; because we love it we love each other, diverse as we may be. I believe in Wake Forest because I believe in the people she draws to her, the people who have become my teachers, my friends, my role models, my confidants and my chosen family.

I believe in Wake Forest because it believed in me. I attended on an athletic scholarship, graduating with a BA in Speech Communication. I grew up in nearby High Point, and I am the only college graduate in my family. My first visit to campus was when I was in fifth grade on a class trip. On the bus trip home, I exclaimed to anyone who would listen that I was going to Wake Forest. No one believed me. I went home and told my my parents, and they did what they always have done — blindly supported my dreams. Which was all it was way back then, especially for someone like me from my neighborhood; merely a dream. Throughout high school I thought about my trip to WFU. Actually one of my classmates' father was a Wake Forest grad, Mr. Early. He spoke to me about Wake Forest every time we saw each other. Then at the end of my senior year, Coach Joe Sanchez saw me play in my very last high school basketball game. He eventually offered me a scholarship, and I quickly accepted. That was one of the best days of my life. I am proud to be a Demon Deacon, and I always will be.

No matter how large it has grown:
     by students, buildings, and programs;
No matter how far it has gone:
     by degrees, athletics, and recognitions;
No matter how many times it is highlighted:
     by debates, awards, and rankings;
No matter where it is now, compared with where it was when
We were there —
It is and always will be, our Wake Forest.
A sense of place, a place of sense,
In an often confusing, maddening world.
Wake Forest, dear old Wake Forest:
Stands tall.
Stands humbly.
Stands.

As a law school student, Wake Forest University School of Law took a personal interest in my success and insured that I graduated with the necessary skills and training. I was not a top student, but I can say with pride that I am a respected and successful attorney. My law career has now spanned over 20 years, and even though I have worked all this time in Tallahassee, Florida, I have always stood with pride as my colleagues have expressed their acknowledgments that the superior education at Wake Forest is evident in my practice. I am very proud to say that I am a Wake Forest Law grad!

I believe in Wake Forest because Wake Forest believed in me, especially the wonderful Department of Sociology faculty. As an anguished sophomore in the mid-1980s worrying what major to choose, I continually asked myself which classes had I enjoyed the most; without fail, I kept coming back to the great courses taught by Dr. Catherine Harris, Dr. John Earle, Dr. Phil Perricone and Dr. Willie Pearson, Jr. These great professors encouraged me, challenged me, and enlightened me, but what I treasure most of all is they treated me as a colleague. Thanks to their respect and warm friendship, I gained confidence in myself and my choices. While some of my classmates felt they had to choose specific majors "in order to get a job," the supportive faculty in sociology treated me as a peer and helped me listen to my heart. I'm deeply grateful to them and Wake Forest.

How could I not 'believe' in Wake Forest? Since I was sixteen years old, my life has been so intertwined with Wake Forest that I cannot think of myself as other than a 'believer.' Not only was I a student here; not only did I teach here. I met my wife here; my three children were born here; most of my best friends are Wake Foresters. I look around me every day and realize all over again how blessed I am. Am I prejudiced about Wake Forest? Of course I am.

I believe in Wake Forest because Wake Forest believed in me. Every college and university is dedicated to the promotion of education and intellectual growth. But not every college is as dedicated to the advancement of the personal, emotional, and spiritual development of the individual student. Wake Forest is. Although I am immensely proud of my Wake Forest degree, I am more proud of the relationships I made, the tolerance I learned, and the creativity I gained during my years at the University. I believe in Wake Forest because Wake Forest believed in me and my maturation, and my progress, and my self-improvement. And that made all the difference.

I was born into Wake Forest College (in the town of Wake Forest) when my dad was a new professor there and moved to Winston-Salem with the college. I remember the wonderful childhood years — roller-skating on the quad, swimming and other sports at the gym, tennis beside the gym, hiking around Reynolda Gardens. Wake Forest really was a village that raised all of us. When it was time for college, I just couldn't see myself anywhere else. Wake Forest formed me — that's where I learned that giving back to the community is important, that's where I learned that respecting others is the key to a good life, that's where I learned that freedom, as Bobby McGee said, really isn't free. I owe a lot to those wonderful professors who really cared about their students and nurtured us in hopes that we would contribute to society. Yes, I believe in WFU because it's a wonderful place to grow, live, and learn!

I believe in Wake Forest because it is a place where a person is encouraged to "wake up", as from a dreamless sleep, to engage fully and vigorously in thought, feeling, connection, service, life, and meaning, without prejudice. My four years as an undergraduate was all that and more; it was the single most important set of interactions in my life.

I was an indifferent student. What I didn't realize at the time, however, was that the seeds of ongoing intellectual curiosity and expansion were being planted. A few years after my formal education ended, my "real" academic studies began: reading history, philosophy, literature, (but not math!); even scouring my Harbrace College Handbook, which I still have. Had I gone to college elsewhere, the results might not have been the same. But Wake Forest is where I went, and this is why I believe.

One reason I believe in Wake Forest is the size of the school. Due to the small class size, the professors really get to know their students and vice versa. The professors are approachable and make time for their students. It is also apparent that the professors are invested in and have a special fondness for Wake Forest. Having come from a small high school, it was very important for me to go to a college where I felt comfortable and didn't feel overwhelmed, and Wake Forest provided that experience for me.