Remembering Dr. Thomas K. Hearn Jr.

I am saddened to hear of Dr. Hearn's death. Please know that you are in my prayers at this time.

— Ashley Gentry
August 20, 2008 - 06:11 PM

I am deeply saddened at the loss of President Hearn. I had the honor of having a meal at his house twice when I was at Wake Forest, and I remember him as approachable and interested in the students. He was also a visionary. He will be missed. May God bless his family.

Andy Hart BA 1988

— Andrew Hart
August 20, 2008 - 05:05 PM

Dr. Hearn was a tremendous leader for both Wake Forest and the Winston-Salem community. His loss will be greatly felt throughout the Wake Forest community.
May God Bless the Hearn family in their time of loss.

— Michael Logan
August 20, 2008 - 03:58 PM

My deepest sympathies to Mrs. Hearn and the entire Hearn family. Dr. Hearn's leadership and guidance elevated Wake Forest to one of the country's leading universities. For that, I will be always thankful He will be deeply missed.

Richard D. Marino, B.A. 1976

— Richard D. Marino
August 20, 2008 - 02:47 PM

My brother, Michael Joseph, received his bachelors degree and law degree from Wake and is proud to called a Deac. For years he has been writing spiritual messages that have helped hundreds of us exam our the essence of our lives. Today, his message included such an insightful observation of Dr. Hearn from a football game last season. Michael wrote: I am not the easist person to take with you on vacation.

The problem is that you go on vacation to escape all of your problems, and when I am away, the problems seem to bubble up right there, to discuss right on the beach. It is as if they insist on being aired, future problems and decisions especially, while one is surrounded by people that love and care for you.

The other thing you carry with you on vacation, though, is God's love, which somehow comes through. I thought of this as just before we left, we all gathered in the foyer, held hands, and prayed that God and the Holy Spirit would guide and support us in the coming challenges of a new school year (for the teachers among us) and for all of us.

And, then, this morning, I read in the paper that Thomas K. Hearn, former President of Wake Forest University, died at home of a brain tumor. He was a very powerful man, who built many buildings as Wake and transformed the school. The last time I saw him, however, was last fall at a football game. While I am sure that as a former president he could have had executive seating, he was sitting in the area of the cheap seats, by himself, on the grassy hill of the stadium. At halftime, he got up, and assisted by his son, he sort of staggered (due to his medical condition) to his car, and left.

President Hearn seemed to know that he could not take anything with him, not even his his position, and was very wise. Today, what we, the living
who must go on, take with us is God's love. It surrounds us, is all about us, and will never leave us, no matter what the challenge or difficulty.

— mary frame
August 20, 2008 - 02:38 PM

Our daughter, Katie, graduated from Wake Forest in 2007. We were grateful for the leadership of President Hearn that enabled her to receive a stellar education. The University under President Hearn's capable guidance also provided the students with a place to grow and develop into world citizens. Our deepest sympathy is extended to the Hearn family.

— Henry and Darlene Robey
August 20, 2008 - 01:58 PM

After having been introduced to Tom by James Ralph Scales in Egbert Davis' home in 1983, my wife Ellen and I had the pleasure of touring the HKBC with him in 1989, a college founded by my father in 1956 on a borrowed campus and now becoming the Hong Kong Baptist University with over 4,000 students. Amidst his busy schedule in the Orient, Tom was always concerned and checked constantly by fax on the prospect of North Carolina winning bids in providing new manufacturing venues. My family, which includes also my sons Tim Jr ('93) and Marcus ('97), send to you, Laura, our most heartfelt condolence. Tom is truly missed. God bless you.

— Timothy See Yiu Lam ('60)
August 20, 2008 - 01:16 PM