Dimarvin Puerto
Now that you are a graduating student, what advice do you wish you could have given yourself as an incoming student four years ago?
The advice I would give is to not be afraid to fail. College is the place of figuring yourself out and getting to meet individuals who will impact you in the short term and in the long term. Therefore, to learn, you need to make mistakes, and to grow, you need to fail. Nevertheless, these will be the things you carry on and use as motivation, which will help you advance.
Who most impacted your Wake Forest experience?
The person who impacted me the most would be Mama T, who works in Benson. She was an amazing mother figure, who supported me throughout my academic and personal growth. In addition, she was an amazing person who used personal experience and motivational tips to keep me going.
Wake Forest has lots of traditions, and sometimes students create their own. Do you have a favorite Wake Forest tradition?
My favorite tradition would be making my schedule around afternoon basketball with faculty and staff.
What was your favorite class outside your major or minor areas of study and why did it appeal to you?
There’s 2 that come to mind:
- Dr. Brittany Battle’s Social Justice Theory, Method, and Practice. It appealed to me because it was a class outside the norm and it discussed topics that are intimately tied to my vision on the world and my unique social position. It allowed me to express, critique, and develop my ideas through in depth conversations; and
- 9th Wonder’s Hip-Hop Class – Its historical analysis of music integrated cultural, social, political, and economic aspects changed what it meant to think about music.
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?
Wake Forest’s Pro Humanitate has assisted me throughout my 4 years here. It could be found in any place at any time, from the Scholars Office to the useful office hours. It showed me that individual success can be possible through collective engagement and support.
What song or songs will always remind you of your time at Wake Forest? Why?
RKS One – Step into the World: This song was the anthem for Wake Debate’s first ever CEDA National Championship, GZA – Liquid Swords album: This was the album that Professor 9th gave me to write a ten page paper, and it was an amazing album to hear and analyze. Definitely one of the top 5 90’s Hip-Hop albums of all time.
What non-academic experience at Wake Forest was most meaningful to you?
The non-academic experience that was most meaningful has been my weight loss journey. It took a lot to make it happen, playing basketball and even a study abroad trip to Salamanca. Nevertheless, it was a process to get the product, just like our debate motto “Process over Product.”
What is the most fundamental change you’ve experienced since your time as a first-year student?
The most fundamental change has been getting to know the vast amount of people throughout the years, given that COVID made the first year difficult. I’m happy to share space with so many brilliant minds that can be found in the Intercultural Center, Residence Life & Housing, the Organization of Latin American Students, The Black Student Alliance, and The Wake Forest Debate team.