The Basics
First things first.
These elements are instantly recognized by those who call themselves Demon Deacons. They’re no strangers to the rest of the world either.
MOTTO
Pro Humanitate
It’s who we are and in everything we do. The Wake Forest motto, Pro Humanitate—often translated as “For Humanity,” is most often understood as what we do for the sake of humanity, for the people of the world. It is often heard as a very specific call to community service.
One thing we know for sure is that Pro Humanitate is for everyone.
MASCOT
Demon Deacon
COLORS
Old Gold & Black
Old Gold and Black are the traditional colors of our University, a reflection of the rich heritage that has been part of Wake Forest since our founding.
With its prestige and nobility, gold represents the qualities that reflect the stature of our institution. But even more, the warm color offers an important reminder of the humanity that is at the heart of our achievements. Bold and strong, black reflects the unwavering confidence and courage that characterizes the Wake Forest academic culture.
The Demon Deacon Backstory
Wake Forest athletic teams were originally known as the “Baptists” or “The Old Gold and Black.” However, in 1922, the editor of the school newspaper, Mayor Parker who graduated in 1924, created the alliteration “Demon Deacons” to describe a major defeat over Trinity (now Duke). When Wake Forest College’s publicity director, Henry Belk, began incorporating the nickname into his press releases, newspapers from around the country started to proclaim the success of the Demon Deacons. Then, in 1941, Jack Baldwin (’43) was dared by a few of his fraternity brothers to dress up as a Demon Deacon for an athletic contest. Baldwin decided to dress in a dignified combination of top hat and tails and proceeded to ride into the athletic match on a Carolina Ram, umbrella in hand. For the Wake Forest fandom, it was love at first sight. There are some things at Wake Forest that are absolutely unique. The only mascot of its kind, the familiar spirited figure in top hat and tails on the sidelines at every game, is one of them.