Devon Neville
Wake Forest’s Pro Humanitate motto is a guiding philosophy for many students and alumni. Did it have an impact on your student experience and has it influenced your plans for the future?
Pro Humanitate inspired me to get more involved in the local Winston community. The past three years, I have volunteered with Kids Cooking Coalition, a volunteer program that pairs Wake Forest student volunteers with local elementary students to teach nutrition and cooking skills in a fun after school class. This year, I have the privilege of being a Student Director for the program, along with Anna Shoffner. For me, Wake Forest’s motto of Pro Humanitate has influenced me by helping me see the importance of consistent community engagement, something I hope to take with me for the rest of my life.
What was your favorite class outside your major or minor areas of study and why did it appeal to you?
My favorite class outside of my majors was my First Year Seminar, The Science of Coffee, Tea, Wine, and Chocolate with Professor Gary Miller. Gary is such an amazing professor, and structured the class to be an exploration of Wake Forest and the Winston-Salem area just as much as it was about the course material. We took a lot of fun field trips to some local businesses and museums.
Wake Forest has lots of traditions, and sometimes students create their own. Do you have a favorite Wake Forest tradition?
My favorite Wake Forest tradition is Pitsgiving! I love the excitement and community within the tradition.
What was the most rewarding experience you had as a Wake Forest student?
The friends and memories I have made along the way. 🙂
Now that you are a graduating student, what advice do you wish you could have given yourself as an incoming student four years ago?
Say yes to as many things as possible and be willing to try new things. Give yourself grace and don’t put pressure on yourself to be perfect.