Annual Report 2023/24

At A Glance

136,000

Number of passengers transported on shuttle routes.

30,767

Number of bednights summer camp residential attendees and intern housing attendees stayed from June 1-August 1, 2024.

123,582

Number of packages processed through campus mail.

30,767

Number of bednights summer camp residential attendees and intern housing attendees stayed from June 1-August 1, 2024.*

*Bednight is defined as a measure of occupancy of one person, assigned to one bed for one night.

Events & Enhancements

Hospitality & Auxiliary Services is dedicated to creating meaningful experiences that enhance the Wake Forest campus community. We deliver engaging programs through strategic local partnerships and collaborative events to foster connection and build a sense of belonging. Our teams consistently demonstrate their commitment and spirit of service, coming together to enrich campus life and support the community.

Events

Photo of Chef Zachary Woodring outside the dining hall on a sunny day.

Innovation & Collaboration

Sustainability Awards Recognition The 11th annual Champions of Change awards ceremony took place Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Three of our dedicated team members were recognized and honored recipients of a Champions of Change award.
Resource Conservation Honored Nominee and Bright Idea Award Winner| Jason Campbell, Assistant Director, Transportation and Parking Services
Everyday Champion Award Winner | Quin Wolters, Deacon Dining Sustainability Coordinator
Leadership Award Winner| John Wise, Vice President, Hospitality and Auxiliary Services

WFU hosted the 2024 ACE Competition. Chef Zachary Woodring represented our team with skill and creativity at the prestigious 2024 American Culinary Excellence (ACE) Competition on Thursday, March 14, 2024. This event, hosted by Aramark Culinary Excellence, celebrates top culinary talent across Aramark’s global sectors, using standards set by the American Culinary Federation. Chefs competed at district and regional levels, with winners advancing to a national stage and the chance to vie for the 2024 ACE Championship title. Chef Woodring’s participation showcased the Harvest Table Culinary Group’s dedication to culinary innovation and excellence. His efforts highlighted our chef-driven culture and commitment to advancing the art of hospitality.

Deacon Dining Employee Appreciation. As a heartfelt gesture of gratitude, our community came together to celebrate the hard work and dedication of the Deacon Dining team. Faculty, staff, and students were invited to stop by and sign a thank-you card, expressing their appreciation for the team’s daily contributions. This simple yet meaningful event reinforced our commitment to fostering a culture of recognition and appreciation across campus.

Enhancements

Dining

Flooring Upgrade

Over the summer, the Pit underwent a flooring upgrade to enhance the overall dining experience. The new flooring not only improves the aesthetic appeal but also ensures a more durable and easy-to-maintain surface for the high-traffic area.

Subway Countertop Replacement

Subway underwent a renovation over the summer, featuring a fresh new look with updated countertops. The enhancements are designed to provide a more efficient and enjoyable experience for students and staff as they grab their favorite sandwiches.

Einstein Bros Bagels

Over the summer, Einstein Bros Bagels located in Farrell Hall received a much-anticipated refresh. We’re excited for everyone to enjoy the improved atmosphere alongside their favorite bagels and coffee.

Peet’s Coffee

Peet’s Coffee has replaced Starbucks in North Dining Hall as our new coffee shop concept. The renovation also features new seating area furniture and an updated 336 Market section.

The Barn at Reynolda

Reynolda Loft Renovation

The Barn at Reynolda Village, recently renovated the Reynolda Loft on the second floor. Formerly a board-room style set-up, The Reynolda Loft is now a comfortable lounge complete with SmartTV. The Barn at Reynolda Village offers all WFU departments 20% off their published rental rates for events taking place Monday through Thursday.

Parking & Transportation

WFU parking officer writes out a ticket early Wednesday morning.

License Plate Recognition

Wake Forest joined hundreds of universities nationwide in implementing Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) to improve the parking experience. License Plate Recognition (LPR) is an advanced parking technology that simplifies the parking permit process. The vehicle’s license plate becomes the parking permit. The technology replaces the hang tags currently used to identify parking registration and lot permissions.

Additional Shuttle Routes

Additional shuttle routes have been implemented for the 24/25 academic year.

New Route: The Haven at Wake
New Route: Charlton Farms

Photo of a Wake Line Shuttle passing by the sunsetting on campus on a fall day.

Campus Mail Services

Smart Mail Delivery System

Mail Services is excited to streamline the process of picking up mail and packages using the new smart mail delivery system (parcel lockers). Additional lockers were installed over the summer and are ready for use.

Highlights

The Graylyn Estate, Named #4 Best Boutique Hotel by USA TODAY’s 10 Best Reader’s Choice Awards

The Graylyn Estate was named #4 Best Boutique Hotel by USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. After the nomination by a team of travel experts and weeks of voting, USA TODAY announced the results today, naming The Graylyn Estate as one of the two NC Hotels recognized in the Top 5. Graylyn climbed up the ranking in 2024, being named #5 Best Boutique Hotel in 2023.

The Graylyn Estate is excited to celebrate our ranking as a top boutique hotel in the country alongside other renowned hotels.

“The team of dedicated hospitality professionals at Graylyn works to build exceptional experiences for our guests and we applaud the readers of USAToday who chose to include us on the list of best boutique hotels in the United States. Blending the charm and character of this historic home in a city like Winston-Salem, one of our nation’s greatest destinations, the Graylyn Estate is an iconic venue that looks forward to being included in your next travel plan.”
-Vice President, Hospitality & Auxiliaty Services, John Wise

Graylyn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the second largest historic home in North Carolina and is a member of Historic Hotels of America.Graylyn was recently named a Top 25 Adaptive Reuse Hotel by Historic Hotels of America and Top 29 Romantic, Regency-inspired Wedding Venues by Here Comes The Guide.