On December 11, 1924, James B. Duke signed his indenture of Trust that transformed Trinity College into Duke University. The story of Duke’s first century is one of an extraordinary ascent in higher education: the remarkable transformation of a small liberal arts college in North Carolina into an internationally renowned research university and academic medical center.
Goals of the Centennial
Deepen our understanding of Duke’s history
Explore Duke’s remarkable trajectory with candid reflection on Duke’s history and the pivotal moments that led the university to today.
Inspire pride
Focus on the people – both well-known and under-recognized – who have contributed to Duke’s growth and success.
Launch Duke into its second century
Advance Duke’s Strategic Vision and seek to use our momentum to propel Duke to a second century of excellence and leadership—in Durham, in the nation, and around the world.
“We will look back at Duke’s history with clear eyes and celebrate the work that has brought us to this moment. At the same time, this celebration should sharpen our focus on the work still to come and renew our commitment to meet the needs of a changing world.”
President Vincent E. Price
Duke University Centennial Task Force Members (2020-2021)
Representatives of the Duke University Board of Trustees:
- Lisa Borders T’79, Chair
- Ibrahim Butt T’20
- Paul Farmer T’82
- Janet Hill P’94
- Katy Hollister T’81
- Peter Kahn L’76
- Rhett Mabry G’87
- Steve Pagliuca T’77
- Bob Penn T’74
- Michael Rhodes E’87
- Kelly Tang G’21
- Laura Meyer Wellman T’73
Duke University Faculty, Staff, Students and Senior Administration Representatives:
- Nicholas Chrapliwy
- Noamme Elisha
- Bruce Jentleson
- Trina Jones
- Dave Kennedy
- Connor Leydecker
- Ted Pappas
- Lillian Pierce
- Mike Schoenfeld
- Alexis Williamson
Steering Committee
Jill Boy
Executive Director, Duke‘s Centennial Celebration (Chair)
Dave Kennedy
Vice President, Alumni and Development (Co-Chair)
Ed Balleisen
Vice Provost for Interdisciplinary Studies
John Brown
Vice Provost for the Arts
Carolyn Gerber
Special Assistant to the Vice President for Communications, Marketing & Public Affairs
Val Gillispie
University Archivist
Kim Hewitt
Vice President for Institutional Equity and Chief Diversity Officer
Trina Jones
Chair, Duke University Academic Council
Antwan Lofton
Vice President for Human Resources
Paul Markakis
PhD Student, Pratt School of Engineering
Todd Mesibov
Deputy Director of Athletics/Administration and Legal Affairs/Chief of Staff
Katie McKittrick
Chief of Staff for Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Duke University Health System
Mary Pat McMahon
Vice Provost and Vice President of Student Affairs
Vikas Patel
President, Duke University Alumni Association; Member of Board of Trustees (ex officio)
Luke Powery
Dean of Duke Chapel
Akhilesh Shivaramakrishnan
Undergraduate Student
Chris Simmons
Vice President, Government Relations
Frank Tramble
Vice President, Communications, Marketing and Public Affairs
Erika Weinthal
Professor of Environmental Policy and Public Policy
Stelfanie Williams
Vice President for Durham and Community Affairs
Project Implementation Teams
Names listed are team chairs
Development/Alumni
Lisa Worster
Communications
Greg Phillips/Blyth Morrell
Signature Events
Terry Chambliss/Jill Boy
Athletics
Art Chase/Debbie Savarino
Provost’s Office
Ed Balleisen
Research
Jamie Wylie
Learning Innovation
Blythe Tyrone
Bass Connections
Laura Howes
Duke Arts
Paul Kartcheske
Nasher Museum
Trevor Schoonmaker
Duke Gardens
Bill Le Fevre
Duke Press
Dean Smith
Duke Health
Oliver Rouch
Student Affairs
Margot Cardamone
Durham & Community Affairs
Rukmini Balu/Michelle Benham
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Hailey Mason
Archives and History
Lucy Waldrop
Duke Chapel/Religious Life
Amanda Hughes
Duke Employees
Piper Mitchell
Duke Government Relations
Katie Lipe
Schools & Units
School of Medicine
Andrea Martin
School of Nursing
Josh Davis
The Graduate School
Scott Behm
Fuqua School of Business
Elizabeth Hogan
Duke Law
Valerie Marino
Nicholas School of the Environment
Denise Haviland
Pratt School of Engineering
Angela Brockelsby
Sanford School of Public Policy
Kirsten Khire
Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Marie Claire Chelini
Duke Divinity School
Katherine Smith