Fit for Battle

About the Book

The most turbulent period in the history of Wake Forest University (1941-1967) was also the most startlingly productive. This era began in eastern North Carolina, in the decade of the 1940's, when the school came perilously close to extinction, but it fought to survive. In 1946, a stunning offer to revive the school was accepted, but Wake Forest knew that the massive changes ahead would require a type of leader as yet unseen in its 116 years of existence. In 1950, a singular man was chosen to build a new campus and lead the march westward, transplanting the entire campus from rural Wake County, North Carolina, to the bustling city of Winston-Salem. Those who knew this man are still telling stories about him. Harold Wayland Tribble was the man who would keep Wake Forest in the forefront of the local and national news reports for decades, and whose public disputes ignited passionate reactions from across the state and nation. His life story, as told to the author by his family members, his personal papers, friends, rivals, and other sources, was as fascinating as were the changing times during which he served Wake Forest. This volume contains numerous untold stories of a controversial leader who fought many battles on behalf of the people and institutions that he loved.

About the Author

Jenny Puckett graduated from Wake Forest University in 1971. After completing her Master of Arts degree at Middlebury College, she taught Spanish for many years on the high school and college levels. She has been a lecturer in Spanish at Wake Forest since 1995, where she has made the history of her alma mater into an avocation. Since 2005, she has worked closely with the student-led Traditions Council, which undertakes projects to educate the student body on Wake Forest lore, history, and traditions. In October of 2008, she was chosen to deliver the dedication speech at the unveiling of the Demon Deacon statue at BB &T Field. In April of 2009, her “Last Lecture” sparked student interest in Harold W. Tribble, which led to the writing of this book. In her spare time, she reads biographies and attempts to train a recalcitrant beagle and an exuberant English Springer Spaniel. She and her husband Jody live in Winston-Salem, NC. They have one son, Lee. All three members of the Puckett household are Wake Forest graduates and proud Demon Deacons.