Richard Craver

Susan Wente, Wake Forest University's 14th president, announced Wednesday she plans to step down on June 30 following the completion of her fifth year as head of the university.

According to a Wake Forest news release, Wente, age 63, informed the Board of Trustees of her decision , which was based in part on the "university’s current stability, positive momentum and the need for a thoughtful succession plan."

“With a sense of gratitude and optimism, I write today to share a personal decision” that she was based on "considerable reflection," Wente said in a message to the community.

Wente is Wake Forest's first female president. She replaced Nathan Hatch, who retired on June 30, 2021, after 16 years.

Wente said that she and the board agreed that "now is the time to beg

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