For the most part students say that living in the residence halls is a positive, pleasant experience.
As reported by Perry Del Favero 09:
“There are seven freshman dorms, all of about equal desirability. Collins, Luter, Babcock, and Bostwick are all on the Magnolia Quad (among the main academic buildings) and have similar setups. Luter, however, has suite-style rooms, with two doubles connected by a bathroom. The rest have a bathroom on each hall and a lounge. Johnson, the fifth dorm on the quad, is substance-free for students who prefer that lifestyle.
The two other dorms for freshmen, Piccolo and Palmer, are somewhat removed from the rest of campus because of their location near Water Tower Field and the Cross Country Trail. Freshmen that live there often refer to them as “P-Town,” or “P-World” because they are separated from the other dorms. The students who do live there, however, get to know each other exceptionally well, even if they must brave the seven- to ten- minute walk to class every morning.
For the remaining students, the housing options include Taylor (with Efird attached), Davis, Kitchin, and Poteat (with Huffman attached) all on the main quad, near Wait Chapel and Reynolda Hall. Upperclassmen can request which dorm they prefer, but all options are fairly similar in layout. Efird and Huffman are smaller and often themed, depending on the year. The other dorms are suite-style, with at least six people to a unit. Martin, Polo, and the Student Apartments are located beyond Wait Chapel and across a parking lot, which is usually a ten- to fifteen-minute walk to classes. Polo and the Student Apartments are apartment-style housing, with kitchenettes and living room space.
Greek housing at Wake is somewhat unique in that there aren’t physical chapter houses on campus. Instead sororities and fraternities have halls, or basement space, as part of the main dorms on campus. They also have lounges with members-only access.”
Wake Forest’s 13th and current president is Dr. Nathan O. Hatch, a historian who began his term in 2005. Hatch came to Wake from Notre Dame University, where he taught history and held a number of leadership roles in graduate studies and research. In 1996 he became provost of the university, the third to hold the position at Notre Dame and second in line to the president in terms of overall academic responsibility. He was also appointed Andrew V. Tackes Professor of History.
Hatch left Notre Dame to become president of Wake Forest in 2005. Hatch graduated from Wheaton College in Illinois and received his master’s and doctoral degrees from Washington University in St. Louis. He is a native of Columbia, South Carolina.
Wake Forest students say Hatch has spent time getting to know the students, faculty, and overall character of the school. Recently, however, some have begun to criticize his measures to approve increases in the school’s size and student population, up to 500 more students by 2013. Students worry that the unique community feel as well as the quality of a private liberal arts education will deteriorate if the school expands.
Muggsy Boegues (1987) is a retired professional basketball player known for being the shortest NBA player in the league’s history.
Tim Duncan (1997) is a professional basketball player. Honors include 1996 ACC Tournament Most Valuable Player, Naismith College Player of the Year, 1997 John Wooden Award as NCAA’s best overall male player, and 1997 NBA Draft first draft pick.
Russell “Rusty” Duke (1970) is a judge on the North Carolina Superior Court.
Lee Norris (2004) is an actor best known for his role as Stuart Minkus in the TV show Boy Meets World.
Brian Piccolo (1964) was a professional football player who died of emryonal cell carcinoma. Piccolo was the subject of the 1971 TV movie Brian’s Song.
