WFU Student Activism

This guide offers an overview of university archival collections and related resources that highlight the history of student activism and student-led protests at Wake Forest University. Some materials are accessible online through our Digital Collections, while others are available for in-person research. Topics include the Civil Rights and Black Power movements of the 1960s and 1970s, LGBTQ+ rights, as well as anti-war protests related to the Vietnam and Gulf Wars. Additionally, these resources can be used to examine student responses to campus-specific issues such as the mid-20th-century dancing ban, academic freedoms, student rights, and opposition to tuition increases. Records of student involvement in off-campus matters connected to broader local, national, and global concerns can also be found in the resources provided. In some cases, the records referenced below document a time and place in history, serving as a portrayal of the social mindsets and occurrences of their time and may be described using offensive and/or outdated language.

Women’s Rights 1960s-1970s

Helpful search terms: Coeds, Gender, Intervisitation, Societies, Women, Women Students, Women’s Studies,

University Records

  • Academic Affairs Office. Vice President Lu Leake Records. (RG22.2) – Lula (Lu) Leake was the Dean of Women and Vice President of Academic advising. She received a Medallion of Merit for her service in accommodating women. Materials include correspondences, WFU architectural planning materials, academic articles and reports on the state of the university, administrative files, as well as remembrances of her life.
  • Deans Record Group, Dean of Women, Women’s Government Association, (RG4.3) – this collection includes minutes of the Executive Board and general meetings as well as correspondence and administrative materials regarding the conduct and experience of women students on Wake Forest’s campus. The Women’s Government Association operated from the initial admittance of women students in 1943 until 1979.
    • Women’s Government Association Handbooks – digitized handbooks; separate handbooks for women students that were published from 1945-1971 highlighting many of the behavior expectations that women students eventually advocated against in order to gain more social freedoms on campus.
  • President’s Office. President Harold W. Tribble Records (RG1.10) – President of Wake Forest from 1950-1967, Tribble’s tenure as president was marked by some of the most challenging but impactful moments in the University’s history. In 1962, Black students were admitted for the first time, as WF began efforts to diversify the student body. This collection contains documentation of opposition Tribble faced from alumni, students, and the Baptist State Convention regarding a number of issues including the campus relocation, racial integration, and intercollegiate athletics. Helpful search terms for this collection include “protest” “demonstration”, and “criticisms”.
  • President’s Office. James R. Scale Records (RG1.11) – James Ralph Scales was eleventh president of Wake Forest University from 1967 to 1983. During Scales’ administration students protested for intervisitation between men and women students as well as less restrictive social rules for women on campus. Helpful search terms for this collection include “criticisms”, “demonstration”, “women”, and “intervisitation”.
  • Vertical Files (RG15) – The Vertical Files Collection contains printed materials, clippings, and ephemera relating to Wake Forest College, now Wake Forest University. This collection features materials on the “Lunch Counter Demonstrations”, in addition to other “Student Protests and Demonstrations (1955-1977)” and documented “Women’s Issues” and “Women’s Liberation” materials.
  • Audio Recordings. Reel to Reels Collections (RG11.1) – These reel-to-reels are a representation of the campus climate from 1960-1985. Many notable speeches, debates, and events that happened on Wake Forest’s campus are in this collection. Topics addressed include racial and gender equality, politics, religion, and environmental concerns.
  • Wake Forest Timeline – keyword searchable timeline documenting historical milestones for students and alumni at Wake Forest; can also be filtered by topic.
  • The Howler – First published in 1903, The Howler is the annual yearbook for the Wake Forest
  • The Old Gold and Black – Founded in 1916, “The Old Gold and Black” is the student-run newspaper of Wake Forest University, named after the school’s colors. News, life, and opinion pieces discuss LGBTQ life and culture, particularly beginning in the 1990s.
  • The Student – The Wake Forest Student began in 1882 (when the University was still Wake Forest College). The magazine’s current successor is titled “3 or 4 Ounces”.
  • Wake Forest Magazine A triannual publication featuring stories from the Wake Forest alumni community.
  • University Photograph Collections – helpful search terms include “women”, “women students”

Books

Interviews/multimedia resources

  • I Am A Woman Phenomenally: a history of women at Wake Forest
  • Thou Shalt Not Dance: The Wake Forest Dance Ban of 1957 (2021) – student film documenting the pushback from students against the ban on dances imposed by the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina
  • A Brief History of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Wake Forest University
  • History of Wake Forest Oral Histories – select interviews are listed below. Additional interviews can be found in the History of Wake Forest Oral Histories collection.
    • Ferguson, Maryann; Kraus, Jean; Patterson, Anne; Peterson, Judy (Video Interview) Maryann Ferguson (’60), Jean Kraus (’59), Anne Patterson (’60), and Judy Peterson (’60) reflect on their time at Wake Forest. While sharing similar experiences, each was active in different areas of campus life, providing a well-rounded view of women’s roles at the university. The interview covers why Wake Forest suited them academically, their pranks on each other, the campus dance ban, and stricter rules for female students.
    • Elliott, Laura (Video Interview) – During her time at Wake Forest, Laura Elliott (‘79) was a member of Fideles, a women’s social society, she wrote for the Old Gold & Black student newspaper, and served as field conductor for the Spirit of the Old Gold and Black marching band. In the interview, she discusses women’s roles on campus as students and faculty.
    • Hudson, Suellen & Mitchell, Emily (Video Interview) – Suellen Hudson graduated from Wake Forest University in 1970 with a major in Spanish. Her daughter, Emily Mitchell, graduated in 2000, double majoring in Studio Art and Art History. In this interview, they share their perspectives on how Wake Forest has evolved. Suellen recalls strict rules for women students, whereas Emily did not face a separate code of conduct. Suellen highlights the influential role of Dean of Women Lu Leake and her relationship with her. This conversation offers valuable insights into the university’s changing landscape.

Civil Rights and Black Power Movements (1960s-1970s)

Helpful search terms: Afro-, Afro-American, Criticisms, Demonstrations, Desegregation, Integration, Anti-, Protest, Negro, Black [American], Race Relations, Sit-Ins

University Records

Interviews/multimedia resources

  • Audio Recordings. Martin Luther King, Jr. Address in Wait Chapel Recording – this recording can only be listened to in Room 625.
  • Strength, Resolve and Legacy – Short video commemorating the African American women who integrated student dorms in 1969.
  • Camille Russell Love oral history – Oral history interview with Camille Russell Love, one of the first African American women to integrate Wake Forest University. Includes audio and transcript.
  • Herman Eure oral history – Dr. Herman Eure joined the WFU Biology department in 1971 as the university’s first full-time African American faculty member. He describes his career at WFU and his undergrad involvement with the civil rights movement. Includes audio and transcript.
  • Ross Griffith oral history – Griffith received his B.A. from WFU in 1965 and held a variety of administrative position at the university. His interview includes discussion of his undergraduate experience of academics, social activities, and the impact of the football team on integration. Audio only; no transcript.
  • Bill Stevens oral history – This audio recording features an interview with William “Bill” Stevens (’60) on November 17, 1999, as he talks about his involvement with the sit-in as a student of Wake Forest University. Audio only; no transcript.
  • Wake Forest Timeline keyword searchable timeline documenting historical milestones for students and alumni at Wake Forest; can also be filtered by topic.

Publications

Vietnam War (late 60s early 70s)

Helpful search terms: Anti-Vietnam, Vietnam, Peace, Peaceful, Vigil

University Records

Publications

Environmental advocacy and Human Rights (1970s- present)

Helpful search terms: Earth Day, Earth Day Fair, Ecology, Ecological, Environmental, Environmentalism, Sustainability.

University Records

LGBTQ (1980s-1990s)

Helpful search terms: AIDS, Gay, Homosexual, LGBTQ, Queer, Same-Sex

University Records

Interviews/multimedia resources

Apartheid and the Gulf War (1990s)

Helpful search terms: Anti-Apartheid, Anti-War, Divest, Peace, Vigil

  • Dean of the College. Thomas E. Mullen Records (RG4.1.9)- This collection contains materials regarding “Students Against Apartheid”. The student organization held a rally attended by students, faculty, and administrators. The group pushed for divestment of funds from Wake Forest in South Africa.
  • Student Organizations. Student Government Records (RG8.19) Since 1923, Wake Forest University’s Student Government has been the representative body for the undergraduate classes and the School of Business. In 1985 the Wake Forest Student Government Association held hearings on Apartheid research, these materials can be found in this collection.
  • Vertical Files (RG15) – The Vertical Files Collection contains printed materials, clippings, and ephemera relating to Wake Forest College, now Wake Forest University. Related materials can be found under “Anti-Apartheid Group”
  • The Howler – First published in 1903, The Howler is the annual yearbook for the Wake Forest
  • The Old Gold and Black – Founded in 1916, “The Old Gold and Black” is the student-run newspaper of Wake Forest University, named after the school’s colors. News, life, and opinion pieces discuss LGBTQ life and culture, particularly beginning in the 1990s.
  • The Student – The Wake Forest Student began in 1882 (when the University was still Wake Forest College). The magazine’s current successor is titled “3 or 4 Ounces”.
  • Wake Forest Magazine A triannual publication featuring stories from the Wake Forest alumni community.
  • University Photograph Collection –
  • University Photograph Collections – “apartheid” is a helpful search term for this collection
  • Gladding, Samuel T., The History of Wake Forest University, Volume VI (1983-2005), Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, 2016.

2000s-Present

Helpful search terms: Abolition, Black Lives Matter Movement, Coalition, COVID-19, Gender, Social Justice, Palestine, Protest, #MeToo, Reform, Inclusive

  • Office of the President. Thomas K. Hearn III Papers (RG1.12) In 1983 Hearn succeeded Dr. James Ralph Scales by becoming the twelfth president of Wake Forest University. During Hearn’s tenure, Wake Forest’s governing relationship with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina ended.
  • Office of the President. Nathan O. Hatch Papers (RG1.13; minimally processed); the thirteenth president of Wake Forest University, Nathan O. Hatch’s tenure began in 2005 and concluded with his retirement in 2021. While at Wake Forest, Hatch spearheaded the Wake Will capital campaign, formed the President’s Committee on LGBTQ Affairs, and issued a statement regarding racially insensitive content in past University publications. Helpful search terms for this collection include “Protest” “LGBTQ”, and “Black face”
  • Office of the President. Nathan O. Hatch Papers (RG1.13 Recent Accession, minimally processed)the thirteenth president of Wake Forest University, Nathan O. Hatch’s tenure began in 2005 and concluded with his retirement in 2021. While at Wake Forest, Hatch spearheaded the Wake Will capital campaign, formed the President’s Committee on LGBTQ Affairs, and issued a statement regarding racially insensitive content in past University publications. Helpful search terms for this collection include “Protest” “LGBTQ”, and “Black face”
  • Student Clubs. Student Organizations (RG8.56)- Student clubs and organizations range in topic from sports-based, to religious, political and cultural, to interest and ideology focused, as well as sororities and fraternities. This collection contains fliers and materials from the Anti-Racism Coalition as well as the Palestine Solidarity Coalition among other student activist groups. Helpful search terms for this collection include “coalition: and “protest”.
  • The Howler – First published in 1903, The Howler is the annual yearbook for the Wake Forest
  • The Old Gold and Black – Founded in 1916, “The Old Gold and Black” is the student-run newspaper of Wake Forest University, named after the school’s colors. News, life, and opinion pieces discuss varying aspects of campus experience through the present.
  • The Student – The Wake Forest Student began in 1882 (when the University was still Wake Forest College). The magazine’s current successor is titled “3 or 4 Ounces”.
  • Wake Forest Magazine A triannual publication featuring stories from the Wake Forest alumni community.
  • Winston-Salem Journal
  • 790A Knowledge Dispels Fear: Islam and Islamophobia: Student Interview Project – student interview project from 2017 that includes interviews from Muslim students at Wake Forest University
  • Deacon Experiences during COVID-19 (Coronavirus Pandemic) – select interviews are listed below; additional interviews and digital records can also be found using the “COVID-19” search term.
    • Class of 2020: Grief, Gratitude, Growth – Blog post written by Alice Romanov (‘20) originally published on her blog “Laying My Path as I Go”. Romanov shares optimism and inspiration for her peers who graduated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • COVID-19 Student Interview: Battle, Brittany (audio and transcript) – Dr. Brittany Battle, is a sociology professor at Wake Forest. In this interview she discusses her involvement with the Triad Abolition Project – focusing on John Neville’s 2019 death while in the custody of the Winston-Salem Police Department. She led protests risking COVID-19 exposure and was arrested. Her grassroots efforts educate on systemic issues like oppression, food insecurity, and mental health.
    • COVID-19 Student Interviews: Portman, Jack(audio and transcript) – Jack Portman (‘21), a Wake Forest alum from Atlanta, Georgia, majored in anthropology and political science with a philosophy minor. In this interview, he describes adjusting to a “new normal”, sharing his experience with online classes after campus closure due to COVID-19. The pandemic deepened his understanding of society and increased his political engagement.

General Resources

The items listed below are referenced across different student activism subject areas due to their comprehensive and extensive coverage of a diverse range of themes and time periods. They are presented in the listing below as general resources.

Helpful search terms: Anti-, Criticisms, Petitions, Protest(s), Demostration(s), Student Protest,

  • ArchiveIt – digital web archive service that captures webpages created by various groups, organizations, and individuals affiliated with Wake Forest University. This includes web published and broadcasted newsletters as well as departmental communications.
  • The Student – The Wake Forest Student began in 1882 (when the University was still Wake Forest College). The magazine’s current successor is titled “3 or 4 Ounces”.
  • The Howler – First published in 1903, The Howler is the annual yearbook for the Wake Forest
  • The Old Gold and Black – Founded in 1916, “The Old Gold and Black” is the student-run newspaper of Wake Forest University, named after the school’s colors. News, life, and opinion pieces cover aspects of intersecting identities of members of the Wake Forest community,
  • Wake Forest Magazine A triannual publication featuring stories from the Wake Forest alumni community.
  • Audio Recordings (Reel to Reels) (RG11.1) – These reel-to-reels are a representation of the campus climate from 1960-1985. Many notable speeches, debates, and events that happened on Wake Forest’s campus are in this collection. Topics addressed include racial and gender equality, politics, religion, and environmental concerns.
    • Reel to Reel: Student Demonstration – reel-to-reel recording from WFDD of a student led demonstration following the 1964 Baptist State Convention defeat of a “Trustee Proposal” that would enable the college to receive federal funding.
  • History of Wake Forest Oral Histories – this collection is part of an ongoing project and contains 217 audio and video interviews from student and alumni about the Wake Forest campus experience as well as the academic life of faculty and staff.
  • Lessons from a Time of Upheaval – article in the Wake Forest Magazine featuring alumni reflections on the campus climate of the 1960s and 1970s.
  • Student Organizations. Student Government Records (RG8.19) records of the representative body for the undergraduate classes and the School of Business. This collection includes materials covering elections, judicial committees, leadership conferences, as well as information and records regarding the legislature’s work. Sometimes referred to as “Student Legislature” in other collections.
  • Student Clubs. Student Organizations (RG8.56)- Student clubs and organizations range in topic from sports-based, to religious, political and cultural, to interest and ideology focused, as well as sororities and fraternities. This collection contains fliers and materials from the Anti-Racism Coalition as well as the Palestine Solidarity Coalition among other student activist groups. Helpful search terms for this collection include “coalition: and “protest”.
  • University Photograph Collection (RG10.1); University Archives Photograph (University Photograph Collection Digital Collection; helpful search terms for this collection include “burning”, “demonstration”, “protest” and “sit-in”.
  • Vertical Files (RG15) – The Vertical Files Collection contains printed materials, clippings, and ephemera relating to Wake Forest College, now Wake Forest University.
  • Wake Forest Timeline keyword searchable timeline documenting historical milestones for students and alumni at Wake Forest; can also be filtered by topic.
  • Wake Forest Student Protests and Activism, 1950s-1970s LibGuide
  • Histories of Wake Forest Resources Relating to Human Rights subject guide
  • Student Life at Wake Forest subject guide
  • Bill J. Leonard oral history – Bill Leonard is founding dean of the Wake Forest University School of Divinity and professor of church history. This interview includes Professor Leonard’s academic career at Baptist institutions, the complexity of U.S. Baptist history, and the role of the Divinity School at Wake Forest University. Includes video and transcript.

Additional Resources for documenting student activism