His Blood Runs Black and Gold: Wake Forest University Applauds Gerald Roach for His Leadership as Board Chair

Wake Forest University has honored Smith Anderson attorney Gerald Roach with a resolution that lauds his service to the university community as he concludes his third year as chair of its Board of Trustees.

“Gerald Roach’s service as Board Chair, and especially as Chair of the Presidential Search Committee, has reflected his thoughtful perspective on the University, his dedication to her flourishing, and his attention to best practices in governance and in constituent communications, all of which will help ensure that the Wake Forest he loves will be cherished by generations of students to come, and by a fifth generation of Roach family Wake Foresters,” the resolution says. 

The university's Board of Trustees passed the resolution on June 24, 2021. Gerald, who serves as Smith Anderson’s firm chair, graduated from Wake Forest with a B.A. Two years later, he obtained his J.D from the university. Over the years, he has served on the University’s Board of Trustees, College Alumni and Law Councils and Chair of its Parents Council. He also chaired the university’s Presidential Search Committee resulting in the 14^th president, Susan R. Wente, taking office July 1. Gerald also created ad hoc board committees, one of which oversaw Wake Forest’s efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Gerald has also served on the boards of Wake Forest University Health Sciences and Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, where his expertise helped guide the university and its affiliates through their 2019-2020 integration with Atrium Health. 

Founded in 1834, Wake Forest University is a private university located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, with more than 8,000 students. Its undergraduate population of more than 5,200 hails from 49 states and more than 50 foreign countries. Wake Forest is a vibrant and diverse academic community in which students pursue learning in one or more of the 45 majors, 60 minors and additional programs the university offers within its six colleges and schools. In September 2020, U.S. News & World Report ranked Wake Forest as one of the top 30 National Universities for the 25th consecutive year.