Events
Students, Staff and Alumni Celebrate Founders Day and Spirit Month
RALEIGH, N.C. (April 3, 2025) – Wake Tech students, staff and alumni celebrated Founders Day Thursday at the Scott Northern Wake Campus. The annual celebration takes place on April 3, the official anniversary of the college's founding charter in 1958.
Students and alumni shared how Wake Tech transformed their lives. Many of the speakers relayed similar stories of how valuable the college's resources were to their academic journeys, especially the Tutoring and Learning Center (TLC).
Marjorie Chanakira, an international student from Zimbabwe who moved to the U.S. after high school, said the resources were an asset and helped her get out of her comfort zone.
"Wake Tech showed me it's OK to ask for help, and now I am even speaking in front of you today," she said.
Chanakira, who is graduating in May with an Associate in Engineering degree, took the opportunity to announce her next move: "I am transferring to North Carolina A&T," she said proudly. "Wake Tech prepared me for the next chapter of my life."
Eliane Hernandez Acosta, who was also an international student, began her journey at Wake Tech unsure of her future. While pursuing her education, Acosta changed her career path multiple times before discovering her passion in the Medical Office Administration program. She gained hands-on experience through Work-Based Learning, which helped her grow from an intern to a dedicated professional.
Now, after years of hard work, she is the coordinator for Wake Tech's Nurse Aide program, one of the college's non-degree Workforce Training courses.
"I found my passion here," said Hernandez Acosta. "Wake Tech changed my life. I hope the college can change your life, too."
After the inspiring testimonials, everyone enjoyed lunch, and students received a Wake Tech eagle plushy.
Founders Day is part of a month-long celebration of Wake Tech spirit and Eagle pride to honor the establishment of the college and its service to the community. Spirit Month includes these exciting events and activities:
- The Eagles baseball team hosts Guilford Tech at Ting Stadium in Holly Springs on April 5. Wake Tech's softball team faces off against Richard Bland College on April 23 at Buffaloe Road Athletic Park in Raleigh.
- Wake Tech is hosting Open House at Scott Northern Wake and Perry Health Sciences campuses on April 12. Prospective students and their families can learn about the college and take tours. The bookstores will be open, and Wake Tech merchandise will be 20% off.
Spirit month also includes a retro game night featuring board and card games, strawberry festivals and a virtual marathon.
April is also national Community College Month, a time for saluting the value and impact of community colleges.
Wake Tech began as the Wake County Industrial Education Center in 1958 and has expanded to seven campuses, two training centers and a comprehensive array of online learning options. It is now North Carolina's largest community college, serving more than 72,000 adults annually.
Wake Tech is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and offers more than 250 associate degree, diploma and certificate programs that prepare students for university transfer or immediate employment. More than 100 of those programs can be completed totally online.
Wake Tech also offers short-term, non-degree programs, as well as public safety training, small-business support, customized corporate training and basic skills courses, such as English as a Second Language and high school equivalency preparation. Wake Tech also serves high school students at four Cooperative Innovative High Schools in partnership with the Wake County Public School System.
Read more about the history of Wake Tech.
