You won't hear their names called or see them receive a degree from a dean. In fact, you won't probably won't notice them at all on Commencement Day at Wake Forest University. But without the 230 men and women of Facilities, you wouldn't see a handshake, hear a cheer or smell a magnolia.
It's the graduates' day, but it's Facilities' show.
Some of them are lifted 25 feet above the ground. They all rise before the sun. And they elevate the annual celebration of Wake Forest's graduates to a level that delights and surprises 14,000 visitors a year.
This photo story is a glimpse of some of the tasks the Facilities' team completed May 7-19, 2025.
Above, mowing the grass on Hearn Plaza.
Planting flowers at Flagpole Plaza, outside of Farrell Hall and Alumni Hall. The staff planted 1,800 plants throughout campus.
Locating utilities, cleaning out and capping the conduit pipes on Hearn Plaza.
Blowing leaves off of the sidewalks and stairs on the Mag Quad.
Delivering and setting up the 'Class of 2025' frame on Hearn Plaza.
Trimming the hedges along both sides of the University Parkway entrance to campus.
Mountain Productions builds the stage on Hearn Plaza.
Setting up chairs on the stage in Wait Chapel for the hooding ceremonies.
Meticulously lining up 13,000 chairs on Hearn Plaza for students and their families.
Delivering tables, supplies, and rearranging furniture in the conference rooms at Wait Chapel for the hooding ceremonies.
Hanging the Commencement banner at the Reynolda Road entrance to campus.
Setting up the Wake Well.
Loading in the furniture for the platform party including chairs, tables, and podiums.
Setting up 300 chairs on stage for the faculty.
Preparing and distributing trash and recycle bins on the Reynolda Hall Patio, and setting up directional signage on Hearn Plaza.
Delivering and arranging plants to decorate each side of the main staircase to the stage.
Unloading and organizing crates filled with diploma covers on each side of the stage.
Vacuuming the carpeted floors, stairs, and ramps on stage.
Cleaning dust and fingerprints off of the three podiums on stage.
Cleaning the 13,000 chairs on Hearn Plaza.
Placing rugs over the mulch around the trees adjacent to where students will exit the stage after they graduate.
Putting programs on each of the chairs on Hearn Plaza.
Delivering and setting water bottles at the base of each of the chairs on Hearn Plaza.
A picturesque Commencement, made possible by the tireless efforts of Facilities and other campus partners.
© 2026 Wake Forest University
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