Off-Campus Buildings

Lawrence Joel Veterans’ Memorial Coliseum

(aka “The Joel”) The Joel is home to the Wake Forest Basketball teams and has caused fear and trembling to infect opponents since its opening in 1989. Home to the loud and raucous, black & gold tie-dye clad Screamin’ Demon student section, this venue has helped the men’s team attain a roughly 80% win rate since the facility’s opening. The coliseum is named after Winston-Salem’s only Congressional Medal of Honor winner, Lawrence Joel. Lawrence was an Army medic who saved more than a dozen American soldiers in an ambush during the Vietnam War. Outside the arena, small monuments remember hundreds of Forsyth County armed forces members who gave it all for their nation.

It seats just under 15,000 spectators. Besides basketball games, the Joel hosts numerous events put on by the city of Winston-Salem as well as the Wake Forest University President’s Ball which happens every two years.

Groves Stadium

Groves Stadium was dedicated in 1968 and named in honor of Henry Herman Groves Sr. as well as his two brothers, Earl T. and L. Craig Groves. It is referred to as BB&T Field and is the home of the Wake Forest Demon Deacon football team. With the stands seating just over 31,000 spectators and room for a few thousand more at the end-zones, BB&T Field’s small size provides a tough environment for opponents and has seen numerous upsets of ranked teams such as the 23rd ranked Florida State in 2011. Before kick-off, the Demon Deacon mascot rides a Harley Davidson motorcycle onto the field, leading the team and electrifying the atmosphere.

At the time when Wake Forest University was in the town of Wake Forest, the Deacs played at a Groves Stadium too. When the decision to move to Winston-Salem was announced, Henry and Earl Groves made financial commitments to the College to insure their name survived the move to the new stadium. Before Groves Stadium (in Winston-Salem) was built, the Deacs played at Bowman Gray Stadium. Charles H. Babcock donated 77 acres of land for the project construction for which began in 1967.  BB&T Field has a long and rich history and serves as the location for many great memories that are made at Wake Forest. From tailgating before the game to singing the Alma Mater at the end, a day at BB&T Field is a day well spent.

Graylyn International Conference Center

A short walk from campus along the scenic Reynolda trails will take you to the entrance of the grounds and estate of the Graylyn International Conference Center. “Graylyn” is the former home of Mr. and Mrs. Bowman Gray and their family. Construction began in 1928 in the Norman Revival architectural style. The estate was donated to Wake Forest University in 1972. Eight years later, the manor house was restored to its “original magnificence” after a fire. Today, the Center is solely under the control of the University and is used for academic, corporate, and civic conferences. Rooms are available for guest use, but need to be booked  in advance. Exploring the grounds and manor house is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon and makes for an excellent study break for the hard-working Wake Forest student. The staff of Graylyn put forth the very highest quality of customer service making every visit a treat.

Reynolda House

Over a creek and through the woods to Reynolda House you’ll go at least once during your college career. It is is a must-see for all members of the Wake Forest community especially since Wake Forest students and employees get in free of charge (with valid ID of course). Katharine Smith Reynolds and her husband Richard Joshua Reynolds (founder of the RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company) built the estate in 1917. Katharine Reynolds always dreamt of living in an estate with magnificent artwork.  Two generations of Reynolds lived there until 1963, and the house became an art museum in 1967. Visitors to Reynolda will delight in exploring the nearby gardens and finding tasty treats and neat gifts in Reynolda Village. The estate has an extensive network of trails for exercise and pleasant strolls through the woods. The Museum’s vast art collection includes three centuries of work and features the masterpieces of artists like Georgia O’Keeffe, Thomas Eakins, and Jacob Lawrence. Whether you are an art fan or just want to explore this beautiful house, Reynolda House has something for you to see and learn.

Bowman Gray School of Medicine

This is Wake Forest’s prestigious medical school and churns out some of the best physicians in the country although these days it is called The Wake Forest University School of Medicine. It was founded in 1902 but moved to Winston-Salem in 1941. Bowman Gray Sr., the namesake of the building, was at one point the President of RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co, the first non-Reynolds to do so. He was an incredible salesman, but was first and foremost a philanthropist, giving to various charities and orphanages. This trait of giving to others was passed down through the line to his sons and grandsons.