Wake Forest University, on February 20, 2020 hosted the Founders’ Day Convocation, an annual celebration by the university in honor of the founding of the institution.
Wake Forest last year, dealt with significant controversy from both the student body and faculty over photographs in the school yearbook of faculty members with Confederate flags and recorded instances of blackface. This led to extensive backlash from critics, with many students seeking the removal of faculty members from their respective positions.
Prior to this, in 2017, Wake Forest joined the Universities Studying Slavery Consortium (USS) to learn how to manage both historical and modern questions surrounding race and equity.
President Hatch apologized for the involvement of Wake Forest University in slavery, “It is important and overdue that, on behalf of Wake Forest University, I unequivocally apologize for participating in and benefiting from the institution of slavery.
I apologize for the exploitation and use of enslaved people – both those known and unknown – who helped create and build this University through no choice of their own. I apologize that our founders did not recognize and support the humanity and intrinsic value of those they enslaved. And I profoundly regret that subsequent generations of this University did not affirm the humanity of the enslaved individuals who made our existence possible.”
Many around the university have praised this statement, claiming that the university needs to acknowledge its history and founding. Kami Chavis, associate provost for academic initiatives stated, “President Hatch’s remarks and the establishment of several groups to examine both the past and present-day implications of the University’s role in the exploitation of enslaved people represent important initial steps for institutional accountability,” in reference to the development of The Slavery, Race and Memory Project on campus. This project seeks to guide research, preservation, and communication into the university’s relationship with slavery.
