Murray Greason ('59, JD '62) invests President Nathan O. Hatch with the Presidential Collar of State. Photo by Ken Bennett © WFU

For Dr. Nathan Hatch, the road to Winston-Salem, NC, has been a journey far different from the 175 miles of interstate most Columbia residents would take.

On July 1, 2005, the Columbia native was named president of Wake Forest University. He arrived at Wake Forest via an undergraduate degree from Wheaton College, masters and doctorate degrees from Washington University, post–doctoral fellowships from Harvard and Johns Hopkins, and an unchartered course up the ladder of academia at the University of Notre Dame.

Hatch always enjoyed school, but never planned to enter the administrative side of higher education. His academic pursuits were fueled by his love of history and politics, which developed during his days at Crayton Middle School, University High School, and Ben Lippen School. This interest went on to become a passion and his chosen field. Upon completion of his graduate work in history, Hatch began his career in teaching and research at Notre Dame. During his time as a professor, Hatch worked hard and earned recognition as one of the nation’s most respected scholars in history and religion.

Beth Hatch, Kathy Hatch, Gregg Hatch, Lucia Jean Hatch, Julie Hatch, Nathan Hatch, and David Hatch Photo by Ken Bennett © WFU As time went on, it became apparent that Hatch had a knack for the administrative side of higher ed, and he was encouraged to apply for an associate dean’s position. Teaching and research moved to the back burner, and Hatch’s ability to effectively run academic departments led to his rise to university provost.

Hatch never envisioned leaving Notre Dame, but the presidency at Wake Forest deeply appealed to him because of the school’s emphasis on education with moral values and its close proximity to his boyhood home.

His background, experience, and vision were a great fit for Wake Forest, and on October 20, 2005, Hatch was inaugurated as the university’s 13 th president. The homecoming of sorts was an unexpected bonus in fulfilling his career.

Over the years, Hatch maintained strong ties to Columbia, including relationships with Lou Holtz and Mike McGee. His mother lived in Columbia until her recent passing. While his three brothers are not still in town, they also maintain ties to the area.

According to Hatch, growing up in Forest Acres in the 1940s was an ideal life. The third of four boys born to a Columbia International University professor/Presbyterian minister and his wife, Hatch always had people to be with and things to do. Playing sand lot football games and hitch–hiking home from basketball practice downtown are cherished memories of times gone by in a simpler time and place.

Other special memories include meeting Sen. Strom Thurmond at the State House when Hatch was 12 years old. He says he will never forget Thurmond leaving a committee meeting to speak with his family for almost 20 minutes. That caring and attentive leadership is a style Hatch admired then and hopes to emulate now.

Hatch and his wife, Julie, a former public school teacher, have three children: Gregg, a 1997 graduate of Notre Dame and health care administrator in South Bend, IN; David, a 2000 Notre Dame graduate who has worked in finance and is currently pursuing an MBA at the Fuqua School at Duke University; and Beth, a junior at Notre Dame majoring in American Studies and theology.