New Student Convocation Program 2026

New Stu dent Con vocat ion Wa k e F o re s t Un i v er s it y

Friday, August 21, 2026 4:00 p.m.

N e w S t u d e n t C o n v o c at i o n Wa k e F o r e s t U n i v e r s i t y F r i day , A u g u s t 2 1 , 2 0 2 6

Opening of wait chapel doors Triumphal Fanfare............................................................................R. Christopher Teichler Brass Fanfare

Prelude The Opening Gates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sarah A. Pierce Come, Holy Spirit, Lord God. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Johann Sebastian Bach Kum Ba Ya. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John A. Behnke And Peace Can Be Exchanged. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dan Locklair Susan Bates Organist

Processional Fanfare. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Z. Randall Stroope Consecrate the Place and Day. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Z. Randall Stroope C o n s e c ra t e t h e pla c e a n d da y To m u s ic a n d t o h a r m o n y !

A n d g la d n e ss dwe ll o n e v e r y t o ngue W h i l st a ll wit h v o ic e a n d in s t r u m e n t s pre pared Ke e p u p t h e lo u d h a r m o n io u s s ong I n jo y , a n d h a r m o n y , a n d lov e.

Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shea Kidd Brown Vice President for Campus Life

introduction of keynote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gray Lowder (’27) Student Government President

Remarks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jackie Krasas Dean of the College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

The Alma Mater: “Dear Old Wake Forest ” . . . . . . Eatman and Paschal Wake Forest University Chamber Choir Dr. Christopher Gilliam Director

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Benediction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Imran Haq Assistant University Chaplain for Muslim Life

Recessional Concerto in G Major. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Johann Sebastian Bach Susan Bates Organist

Acknowledgements Head Faculty Marshal: Frank Moore Faculty Marshals: Eric Carlson, Christa Colyer, J.K. Curry, Staci Helper, Jennifer Hudson, Matthew Phillips, Ryan Schroth and Silvia Tiboni-Craft Mace Bearer: Monique O’Connell, Chair of the College Senators President’s Aides are serving as ushers for today’s Convocation.

Wake Forest University Chamber Choir Director: Dr. Christopher Gilliam* Piano: Chad Pollard Trumpet: Garrett Klein, Ninon Kirchman, Samuel Santiago and Judith Saxton* Horn: Lynn Beck Trombone: Brian French, Jim Lane* and Erik Salzwedel Tuba: Brent Harvey* Percussion: John Beck* and Dante Thomas Organ: Susan Bates* *WFU Music Faculty