Intersections: Roads of Honor

“Intersections: Roads of Honor,” a popup exhibit featuring historical images and biographies of the honorees as well as a map, will be on display on campus in Z. Smith Reynolds Library’s Special Collections and Archives, Room 625 (September 2), Shorty’s exhibit case in Benson University Center (September 13) , and during the Homecoming Festival on the Quad (September 17th, 10-1).

In the summer of 2022, Wake Forest University announced plans to name four roads on the Reynolda Campus in honor of four trailblazing professors who represent Pro Humanitate: Elizabeth Phillips, Marjorie “Marge” Crisp, Dolly McPherson and Herman Eure. “These names and the inspiring stories behind them expand the narrative of leadership and excellence at Wake Forest,” said Wake Forest President Susan R. Wente. “Each person honored has made an indelible mark on the University.”

The University road naming process took several months. This spring, President Wente appointed the Administrative Committee for Honorifics to recommend names for roads on campus – to rename four roads on campus, including two sections of a road originally named for Washington Manly Wingate. Wingate served as the fourth president of Wake Forest College from 1853-1862 and after the Civil War from 1866 until his death in 1879. Throughout his association with Wake Forest College, President Wingate, both personally and on behalf of the College, participated in the ownership and sale of enslaved African Americans.

The committee, led by Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer José Villalba, gathered feedback from the Wake Forest University community. The group also conducted extensive research on potential honorees. Villalba noted that “Each of the distinguished teachers and scholars we have chosen to honor have not only opened doors for students and colleagues, but also for ideas and ideals upholding our motto, Pro Humanitate.”