Why We’re Here
The vision of Wake Forest in Washington is to raise the profile and tangible presence of Wake Forest University in Washington, D.C. and have a discernible role in the national conversations on the policies, laws and central issues facing this country and our world.
Our presence here starts with academic programs and is fortified by more than 9,000 Wake Forest alumni, parents and friends who live and work in the Washington area, many of whom have established themselves as leaders in the community. By building a bridge between our nation’s capital and our campus in Winston-Salem, we are able to forge a pathway for students and alumni to live out Pro Humanitate on the national and global stage.
This Week in the Center
Monday, 5/29
– Closed for Memorial Day
Thoughts from Wake Forest Leaders
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Nathan O. Hatch, President Emeritus
“We came to Washington, D.C. because we know it is a place our students and alumni want to be. It is here – where people have the opportunity to be in the center of our nation’s activity, where there is room to make a difference – it is here we want to be. It is here Wake Foresters need to be. It is here we are pleased to be.”
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Donna Edwards (’80), Trustee & Former U.S. Representative
“Wake Forest develops people who know how to think critically, have conversations with one another, find commonality that crosses party lines, and work for the greater good. If there is one thing that unites us, it is the spirit of Pro Humanitate, which is very much needed now in our country and in our nation’s capital.”
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Richard Burr (’78), U.S. Senator
“I’m excited to see Wake Forest launch this fantastic program. I know that any student who spends a semester in Washington will be better for it.”
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Al Hunt (’65), Life Trustee & Bloomberg View Columnist
“What more interesting time and what more interesting place for students who are intellectually curious to have the chance to spend a semester in D.C.”
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Michele Gillespie, Provost
“We are a national school. We are a global school, and we have important contributions to make. Being in Washington, D.C. at this time matches perfectly with the momentum of the University itself.”
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Mike Riley (’81), The Chronicle of Higher Education President & CEO
“We want to plant our flag. We want to have a stake in this city and the world.”
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Jimmy Kemp (’93), Jack Kemp Foundation President
“The opportunity for Wake Forest is to be part of the solution. We need a lot more civility in our politics and a lot more Pro Humanitate, recognizing what the promise of this country was in the first place.”
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Class doesn’t really feel like class when you spend it on the Hill discussing policy and politics with @SenatorBennet. And it’s even better when former CO Gov Bill Ritter drops in to say hello and offer career advice.
Tonight alumni of the program gave insight and best advice to the group headed to the DC for the fall semester. It’s fun to see their pride in what they accomplished while in the nation’s capital. Can’t wait to welcome the new group in August!
Our intern at the Dep’t of Education this semester, Jacob Graff, loved spending time today with @SecCardona AND Tucker the Therapy Dog! 🐾🐾🐾
Great to have @WFUAlum Bruce Thompson (@BTpolitics) in class tonight to talk about lobbying at the state & federal level, how big projects & ideas often encourage legislators to work across the aisle, & the vast network of alumni ready to help smart, engaged students like them.
Really cool opportunity today for junior Olivia Bredel, intern at DoD, to meet and hear from Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin
Great class tonight with alum Jill Center (‘92) discussing the important work of the GAO.
Incredible opportunity today for our students to learn from Senior Advisor for Immigration and Border Policy at @BPC_Bipartisan Center, Theresa Brown @BPC_TBrown. Complicated policy issue with no easy answers. Thx to our alum @tycely for making todays discussion possible.
Thx to our @WFUAlumni speakers in class tonight discussing lobbying and advocacy from the corporate side – Laura Vaught (‘93) from Dominion Energy and Josh Pitcock (JD’01) from Oracle @laurav686
Great to have @wake_debate event at the Center tonight in advance of the National Debate Tournament in Chantilly, VA, with alumni of the program, debate seniors Ana & Ari, @atchisonjarrod and the great Allan Louden on his birthday!
