Mark Holt (‘83, P’18) to chair Wake Forest University School of Divinity Board of Visitors

Distinguished lawyer and Wake Forest University alumnus Mark Holt (‘83, P’18) will chair the Wake Forest University School of Divinity Board of Visitors beginning this fall. Holt follows Charlotte based developer Mark W. Boyce who faithfully served two terms as board chair. 

The Board of Visitors of the School of Divinity was established in 1998 as an advisory board for volunteer leadership to support the Dean and the School of Divinity. The Board supports faculty and staff of the School of Divinity in their pursuit of institutional excellence in the education of leaders for the church and the world.

Corey D. B. Walker, Dean and Wake Forest Professor of the Humanities, graciously thanked Boyce for his service and expressed his enthusiasm for Holt’s leadership: “We are profoundly grateful for Mark Boyce’s leadership and extraordinary service to Wake Divinity and we are filled with hopeful expectation as Mark Holt begins his service as chair. His lifelong commitment to Wake Forest coupled with his exemplary leadership and dedicated service will greatly enhance our distinctive graduate theological community. As we celebrate 25 years of Wake Divinity, Mark’s leadership, collaborative spirit, and deep faith will be pivotal in advancing our mission.”

A dedicated leader with deep ties to the Wake Forest community, Holt brings a wealth of experience, passion, and commitment to his role as the School of Divinity celebrates its 25th anniversary.

Born into a Wake Forest family, Holt continues a legacy that includes three generations of Demon Deacons, starting with his father, a Baptist minister.  Holt’s connection to the university is profound including his service as Student Trustee and Student Government President during his undergraduate years at Wake Forest.

Since he began his law practice in 1987, Holt has enjoyed a distinguished legal career having been recognized in Best Lawyers in America and included in the Super Lawyers Top 100 Attorneys in North Carolina. He has served the North Carolina legal profession as President of both the North Carolina Bar Association and the North Carolina Bar Foundation. During his career, Holt was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Society of Barristers.  He also was included in the 2023 North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society.

In retirement, he remains committed to service, volunteering with pro bono legal clinics, his church’s prison ministry, and an after-school reading program for Latino students.

As chair of the Board of Visitors, Holt is eager to support the School of Divinity’s mission of equipping faith leaders who will transform the world through justice, reconciliation, and compassion. “The Board of Visitors proudly supports Wake Divinity and its students as they answer God’s call to serve others, transforming our world for the better,” said Holt. “The University’s motto, Pro Humanitate, inspires us to build and sustain a strong foundation for Wake Divinity and its mission to prepare agents of justice, reconciliation, and compassion.”

As the School of Divinity embarks on its 25th year, Holt’s leadership will be instrumental in guiding the Board of Visitors through a year of celebration and reflection. “I’m honored to lead our Board as we carry out this sacred and virtuous work together in celebration of Wake Divinity’s 25th Anniversary,” Holt added.

Holt resides in Raleigh with his wife, Joanna, where they are active members of Church on Morgan. They are proud parents to four adult children.