Dear New Faculty Member,
Welcome to Wake Forest University! You are joining a wonderful community of outstanding teacher-scholars during an especially exciting time at this University. We are committed to building an exceptional collegiate university with a superb faculty and talented students who are committed to the pursuit of knowledge and making a difference. We will be welcoming one of our academically strongest as well as most diverse first-year classes in the history of the University this August. We know your arrival will help us make this great institution even better.
I write to ask you to put our New Faculty Orientation Program on your August calendar. I also ask that you sign up for a time slot to receive your Wake Forest-issued computer. Our New Faculty Orientation is just one of the many ways that Wake Forest University invests in the professional development and success of its faculty members throughout their careers. The orientation series will introduce you to critical information, resources, and support that will facilitate your outstanding research and teaching. It will also provide an opportunity to meet key leaders of the University and to learn more about their vision for the University. Finally, you will learn more about your new community, discover new opportunities, meet new colleagues and establish new friendships.
The New Faculty Orientation Program is a three and a half-day program. It begins with an introduction to my office and staff on Wednesday, August 10th, 8:00 a.m. We will start the day with a light breakfast, followed by the Provost’s Office orientation, a library orientation, and lunch in the library atrium. After lunch, you will have an option to take one of three tours. Please refer to the attached schedule for more details and to sign up for the tours in advance. This year, in an effort to build relationships between the newest members of our faculty, we will have a Family Pool Party at Graylyn Conference Center’s outside pool. This will begin at 6:00 p.m., with dinner and drinks provided.
Day two of the orientation will be a presentation by Human Resources, and on the third day you will attend a session held by the dean of your respective school. Again, please see the attached schedule for additional details. Finally, we are scheduling you for Gate Keepers Plus training. The primary goal of this workshop is to shape a campus community that understands how to leverage diversity and build trust around our differences in order to foster the inclusion and engagement of our entire constituency. This session is scheduled for Wednesday, August 17, from 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., location TBD.
We expect that you will arrive in Winston-Salem by early August so that you can participate fully in our orientation series. This is a vibrant academic community distinguished by our collective strength and depth of care for each other. It is important to us that you have all the information you need to make a comfortable transition into your new position. We are eager to support your success. I look forward to seeing you at New Faculty Orientation. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at provost@wfu.edu.
Best regards,
Mark Welker
Interim Provost
Professor of Chemistry
