Student Life

The Office of Student Engagement is dedicated to connecting students to involvement opportunities that match their personal interests and passions – as well as their academic and career goals. With hundreds of involvement opportunities from which to choose, getting involved may feel overwhelming, but our dedicated faculty and staff members, graduate advisors, and student leaders are here to help you along the way.

Fraternity and Sorority Engagement

You may notice Greek letters on corner towers around campus. Those towers are designated spaces for fraternities and sororities. About half of our students participate in Greek life. 

Student Government

Wake Forest Student Government is the official voice of the student body. Elected by their peers, members bring a multiplicity of experiences, perspectives, and passions that allow them to advocate for every dimension of the vibrant Wake Forest community.

Wake Traditions

These are the moments that every Demon Deacon should experience. Each year, the WFU community comes together to celebrate and serve others in a wide variety of campus traditions.

Pro Humanitate is Wake Forest’s motto, which translates as “for humanity.” It may also be interpreted as “for civilization.” Or “for kindness.” Multiple meanings, but it results in specific, concrete acts. Here are just a few.

Hit the Bricks

Hit The Bricks is a campus-wide philanthropic event benefiting the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund and the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. Each fall, teams of students, faculty, staff, and alumni gather on Hearn Plaza taking turns running and walking laps around the Quad to show their solidarity in the fight against cancer.

Wake ‘N Shake

Each spring, Wake Forest students stay awake and on their feet for 12 straight hours for the Wake ‘N Shake Dance Marathon, benefitting the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund and the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.

Project Pumpkin

Project Pumpkin is a community-building event that brings students from local schools and after-school agencies to campus for a fun, Halloween-themed event!

In the spirit of Pro Humanitate, Wake Forest is a national leader in the study of leadership and character and how those concepts impact the world. The commitment to leadership and character is evident throughout the academic and co-curricular experience and touches almost every student in one form or another.

Examples include:

• Courses in engineering, entrepreneurship, religious studies, politics and several other disciplines
• Discussion groups and workshops
• Guest speakers
• Partnerships with the Office of the Chaplain; the Women’s Center; the Office of Diversity and Inclusion; the Office of Student Engagement; the Office of Civic and Community Engagement; and several others.

Face to Face Speaker Forum

Face to Face is a nationally acclaimed speaker series that has brought actors, athletes, activists, former presidents, musicians and others to Wake Forest for thoughtful, meaningful discussion. In several cases, speakers have held student-only events in advance of the main program.

The 2025-26 season is remarkably compelling. It includes basketball legend and business icon Magic Johnson; former U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-Utah); former National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster; and actor Cynthia Erivo, the three-time Oscar nominee most recently acclaimed for her performance in “Wicked.”