Kevin Dunn
Wake Forest has lots of traditions, and sometimes students create their own. Do you have a favorite Wake Forest tradition?
My favorite tradition on campus is Hit the Bricks. I had the honor of serving as the Executive Director of Hit the Bricks, an event that has been a part of my life since I was eight years old. What started as a childhood tradition with my dad became my true calling at Wake, allowing me to bring the campus together to raise money for cancer research — an issue deeply personal to my family. Leading the event through challenges, including the first rainy Hit the Bricks in over fifteen years, taught me invaluable leadership, communication, and organizational skills. The most fulfilling moment came when, with minutes left in the event, our team rallied together to raise the final funds needed to break both the participation and fundraising records. This experience not only shaped me as a leader but also influenced my career path, steering me toward politics, where I hope to work on issues I am just as passionate about.
Who most impacted your Wake Forest experience?
Dr. Michael Sloan impacted my Wake Forest experience the most by introducing me into the Classics major that has brought me such a better understanding of the world. Secondly, Dr. Sloan has become such a resource for anything that I need in life and I am eternally grateful to have in my life.
What was the most rewarding experience you had as a Wake Forest student?
The most rewarding experience I had as a Wake Forest student was being a member of the basketball team, despite not being a star player on game nights. My commitment to the team was never about personal accolades but about embracing the values of gratitude, responsibility, accountability, commitment, and enthusiasm—principles that define our program. I never missed a practice, conditioning session, or workout, because I understood the power of being part of something bigger than myself. One of the most memorable moments was hearing 12,000 fans chant my name at the end of games, a reflection of the relationships I built with my teammates, classmates, and the community. More than anything, basketball at Wake Forest reinforced my belief in selfless commitment, leadership through action, and the deep rewards of service to others.
Now that you are a graduating student, what advice do you wish you could have given yourself as an incoming student four years ago?
Coach Forbes once told me that, “Every student at Wake Forest is as impressive as what they are passionate about as we are with basketball.” He didn’t tell me this until Sophmore year but is is so true. Every student at Wake Forest is extremely impressive in their own ways and getting to know each student is such a great way to learn about something.
Compare your career plans as a first-year student with your career plans now. Why did your plans change or not change?
When I began my college experience, I wanted to be an English teacher, but my career aspirations have since shifted toward politics and diplomacy. This change was driven by experiences with the Richter Scholarship where I performed research on the immigration crisis caused by the Russian-Ukrainian War. This research experience that crossed twenty-one nations deepened my understanding of leadership and advocacy, particularly my work with immigrant communities, refugee aid efforts, and my role in amplifying voices that often go unheard. Coaching young athletes from immigrant families and volunteering at Ukrainian refugee camps showed me the power of advocacy and the importance of elevating others’ voices. These moments reshaped my perspective, reinforcing that my greatest passion lies in shaping policies and creating opportunities for those who need them most. While my goal of helping others remains the same, my path has evolved to focus on making an impact on a broader scale through public service.