Wake Forest University School of Divinity receives $3.3M, second largest individual gift in school history

Wake Forest University School of Divinity has received a $3.3 million gift – the second largest individual donation in the school’s 25-year history – from the estate of Edward Kent Griffin. The gift will support the recently launched Wake Div Promise, a bold initiative designed to provide full-tuition scholarships for all graduate students enrolled in the Master of Divinity program. 

“This remarkable gift will support our commitment to creating the next generation of faith leaders who can fully pursue their vocational calling to become agents of justice, reconciliation, and compassion,” said Corey D. B. Walker, dean and Wake Forest Professor of the Humanities. “With this significant gift, the Wake Div Promise will help to ensure that our students can pursue their graduate theological education without incurring burdensome financial debt. This generous gift will support our students in their graduate studies and as they assume leadership roles in Christian churches and other professions.”

The Wake Div Promise is part of the school’s holistic approach to student support and engagement that aligns academic, spiritual, and vocational development. By offering full tuition scholarships, the School of Divinity empowers students to focus fully on their education, graduating with the financial freedom to lead in diverse ministries and serve faith communities across the globe. 

“This gift allows us to more fully support our students and respond to the ever-changing needs of theological education,” said Walker. “Wake Divinity is dedicated to providing a transformative graduate theological education to diverse students by lessening financial barriers so that our students can focus entirely on their education and unique calling.”

As the School of Divinity celebrates its 25th anniversary, the Griffin gift reaffirms Wake Divinity’s mission to foster agents of justice, reconciliation, and compassion. It also provides critical financial support to students, ensuring that they are prepared to faithfully respond to the spiritual, social, and ethical challenges of the times.

Wake Forest University School of Divinity is a graduate, professional school that is Christian by tradition, Baptist in heritage, and ecumenical in outlook. Consistent with Wake Forest’s commitment to academic excellence and in the spirit of the University motto, Pro Humanitate, the School of Divinity prepares leaders informed by a theological understanding of vocation. Learn more about the School of Divinity at divinity.wfu.edu.