Faces of Courage

On April 27, 1962, the Board of Trustees demonstrated remarkable courage in voting to end racial segregation at Wake Forest, which became the South’s first major private university to integrate. A Ghana native, Ed Reynolds, became the first full-time black student to enroll in the fall of 1962.

Fifty years later, those actions serve as a catalyst for the university’s evolving support of racial and ethnic diversity, religious pluralism, service to those with disabilities, acceptance of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and first-generation college students, among other matters related to diversity and inclusion.

This academic year, Wake Forest will commemorate the 50th anniversary of integration with the Faces of Courage celebration, honoring the legacy and important actions of all those – past and present — contributing to the diverse and vibrant campus community.

Throughout this site, learn about the important events we have planned to celebrate; our cultural history and our current commitment to building an ever more inclusive Wake Forest.