Grant Hill
After playing on two national championship teams at Duke, Hill played in the NBA for 18 years and is a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Celebrate and Look Forward
Duke University was established in 1924 when James B. Duke, through the Indenture of Trust, designated a gift that transformed Trinity College into a comprehensive research university. In 2024, Duke University launches a celebration of its centennial—a historic opportunity to recognize Duke’s extraordinary past, communicate the impact of the present and look toward the potential of Duke’s future.
“This is a moment of transformation for Duke, when we can see more clearly than ever before how we might lead in the century to come.
It’s also a moment of extraordinary continuity, as the seeds of our current and future excellence that were planted and cultivated throughout our university’s first hundred years come into bloom.”
President Vincent E. Price
Centennial Oral Histories Program
Duke University’s Centennial Oral Histories Program is a series of 25 interviews with former and current leaders of Duke University and Duke Health, during which they share memories of their time at Duke and their hopes for Duke’s future.
Join the Celebration
In 1924, Trinity College became Duke University. This year, we celebrate the 100 years since that historic moment and look forward to Duke’s second century.
Our Stories
A new coffee table book collects major moments and little-known stories of Duke’s history
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A Once in a Century Weekend
Duke brought together past presidents for a discussion, awarded University Medals, dedicated a building in honor of two past employees, saw the football team defeat UNC, and, after a day of tornado warnings, celebrated with 9th Wonder, Retta and Ed Sheeran.
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The Founding of Duke University
A century ago, Trinity College President William Preston Few dreamed of a major research university in North Carolina. With the Duke Endowment and reorganization of Trinity College into Duke University, President Few transformed the institution into an educational beacon in the South.
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Melinda French Gates
Duke alumna Melinda French Gates is consistently listed among Forbes Magazine’s 100 most powerful women. And as a philanthropist and advocate for women and girls, she has dedicated her life to making positive change in the world.
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David Rubenstein
Rubenstein’s philanthropy is far reaching. At Duke, his contributions have included funding for the Rubenstein Arts Center, Rubenstein Library, including the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library, and the university’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative.
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George & George-Frank Wall
After Trinity College moved to Durham in 1892, school janitor and handyman George Wall later moved to Durham and continued working as a custodian on the new campus. He purchased a small property and built a house near East Campus, Wall became a leader in the growing working-class community, eventually named “Walltown.”
Explore Duke’s History
Find resources where you can learn more about the events, milestones, moments and people that made Duke’s first hundred years.
Duke History at your Fingertips
Use the new Duke campus tour app to experience the history of West campus, East campus, and Athletics
Centennial Store
Celebrate 100 years in style.