Mary Outland
What non-academic experience at Wake Forest was most meaningful to you?
The Wake Forest Club Sailing team has been, without a doubt, my most meaningful non-academic experience at Wake Forest. I’ve grown so much in both my sailing and leadership skills, eventually becoming a team president in my junior year. I have had the opportunity to compete at other colleges up and down the East Coast, even competing in the team’s first appearance at conference championships in Florida. I’m so proud of how the team has grown over my four years, and I’m excited to watch it continue to grow in the future!
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 Lovefeast! Amid the craziness of finals and the conclusion of the fall semester, I see Lovefeast as an opportunity for reflection and fellowship. The tradition of Lovefeast is so unique to Wake Forest, and I love being a part of this aspect of Wake’s history.
What surprised you most about your Wake Forest experience?
As a fourth-generation Wake Forest student who also had a brother graduate from Wake, I’ve heard endless stories of my family members’ experiences as a Demon Deacon. Going into freshman year, I thought I had a pretty good idea of how my own experience would be, but I quickly discovered how easy it was to make Wake Forest my own. For instance, unlike my family, I’ve been involved in Greek life, led the Club Sailing team, and pursued a legal education and career. I’ve found that while the overarching values of Wake Forest have remained consistent, each student has a unique capacity to shape and be shaped by the Wake Forest community.
What was the most rewarding experience you had as a Wake Forest student?
My semester with the Wake Washington program during the fall of my junior year was an especially rewarding time. In addition to living in DC and being exposed to the many fascinating speakers and field trips, my internship at Lawyers Without Borders gave me valuable workplace experience, cemented my desire to attend law school after graduation, and, most importantly, allowed me to put Pro Humanitate into practice in projects that promoted the rule of law on a global scale.
Imagine you return to campus for your 10-year reunion. What do you hope will remain the same? What do you hope will be different?
I hope that in ten years, the school spirit of the Wake Forest student body will stay the same. Attending Wake Forest athletic games has been a bright spot in my four years. Though our student body is smaller than many of our opponents’, we never fail to show up for our Demon Deacons! One of my favorite memories of college was beating Duke basketball at home with a packed student section during my junior year. I hope future generations of Deacs continue this tradition of school spirit!
Now that you are a graduating student, what advice do you wish you could have given yourself as an incoming student four years ago?
Speak up in class! Ask questions, share your insights, and explore ideas. During freshman year, I was much more timid in class for fear of saying something wrong, but I’ve since learned that being wrong is a natural and necessary part of learning. Your ideas, even if they’re not perfect, are valuable to classroom discussions. Also, be careful with where you park. You WILL get a ticket.