Wake Forest Athletics
Godfrey Enrolls At Wake Forest
1/16/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jan. 16, 2007
Wake Forest University has admitted and enrolled Dennis Godfrey, a tight end from Lee County High School, to its current freshman class. He is a 2006 graduate of the high school.
University officials had deferred his admission last August, based on an allegation of rape and other charges.
The alleged incident took place in October, 2005, in Sanford. It was reported in February, 2006, and he was charged last summer.
Godfrey, now 19, entered an Alford plea for two misdemeanors, simple assault and obstruction of justice on January 12. He was placed on probation for one year, and required to perform community service, among other requirements imposed by the court. At the university's request after the conclusion of the case, Godfrey met with Wake Forest administrators, including Dean of the College Deborah Best and Director of Admissions Martha Allman. The purpose of the meetings was to assess further Godfrey's account of the alleged incident and to gain more firsthand insight into his character.
Following the visit, which took place on campus on the afternoon of January 12, Wake Forest President Nathan Hatch approved the joint recommendation of Best, Allman, and Director of Athletics Ron Wellman.
"We were impressed with the maturity with which Dennis faced this circumstance," said Wellman. "He is a conscientious young man whose integrity has been endorsed again and again by his teachers and others in the community who know him well. We are convinced that he can succeed academically and will be a positive contributor to our campus. "
According to Allman, students who are involved in a criminal investigation or any high school judicial or honor code matters are deferred for admissions consideration until the matters are resolved.
"On such an occasion, we would always ask for further official information, and we would require additional interviews with the applicant to be certain that there are no character concerns and that any legal issues had been satisfactorily concluded," Allman added.
