Procedure and Criteria for Awarding Emeritus Status

Emeritus status

Emeritus status is an honor conferred by the University to show respect for a distinguished career. It is not automatically conferred upon retirement. All academic or administrative faculty, as defined in the Faculty Handbook, who meet the qualifying criteria, are eligible for nomination for emeritus status upon retirement.

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Procedure

Nominations for emeritus status must be initiated within two years following retirement. The title “posthumous emeritus” may also be awarded to faculty who die before retiring. Nominations must be initiated within two years following death.

Nominations for emeritus status may be made by the Chair of the nominee’s department. Support from the nominee’s home department should be indicated in the nomination letter.

The Chair shall send the nomination letter and supporting documentation to the Dean of the College. The Dean shall submit these documents with his or her recommendation to the Provost for consideration and final approval.

Criteria

Each nominee for emeritus status must have been a full-time academic or administrative faculty member at Wake Forest for at least 10 years and must have demonstrated excellence as a Wake Forest Teacher-Scholar.

The nomination for emeritus status must include:

1. An updated curriculum vitae.
2. A nomination letter that includes a substantive narrative addressing how the nominee qualifies for emeritus status. The nomination letter should refer to specific evidence of the nominee’s qualifications. Although the application need not include the materials themselves, evidence such as publications, awards, and acknowledgements of outstanding service should be cited in sufficient detail.