a once in a century weekend

In 1901 Trinity College officially honored its benefactors with Benefactors’ Day. In 1926, the day became known as Duke University Day, and in 1948, it evolved to be called Founders’ Day.

As Duke celebrates its centennial, the weekend surrounding Founders’ Day took on special significance. 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.

Relive the weekend through these images and stories.

A Presidential Panel

Thirty years of Duke University leadership took the stage to reflect on the past 100 years and to look forward to the next century. Former presidents Nannerl Keohane and Richard Brodhead joined President Vincent Price for an hour-long panel discussion moderated by journalist and alumna Judy Woodruff.

The presidents were asked about their first impressions of Duke; the challenges, and triumphs, during their tenure; how to address the decreasing respect many have for legacy institutions; and the definition of free speech on a university campus, among other issues.

Presidents Prive, Brodhead and Koehane sitting on stage with Judy Woodruff

University Medalists

Founders’ Weekend provides an opportunity to reflect on the school’s history and recognize the leadership, contributions and impact students, faculty, administrators, staff, trustees and alumni have made over the past 100 years.

As a part of this tradition, each year the University Medals for Distinguished Meritorious Service are awarded to members of the Duke community in recognition of their role in the growth and success of the university.

The 2024 University medal recipients are:

Robert Califf stadium at a clear podium after receiving his medal while President Price stands off to the side — Dr. Robert Califf

20240926_presidential_awards131 — Fred Stanback

20240926_presidential_awards146 — William Turner, Jr.

Wall Center for Student Life

George Wall, born into slavery in Randolph County in 1861, later moved to Durham with his family, becoming a custodian at the university as well as a community leader in a section of town eventually known as Walltown.

His son, George-Frank, also became a Duke custodian and made a notable $100 bequest to Duke in 1946, in an effort to promote racial harmony.

Duke honors the legacy of George and George-Frank Wall in the dedication of the Wall Center for Student Life. Two inspiring figures, the Walls’ story is woven into the fabric of Duke and Durham’s history. The celebration recognized workers who, like the Walls, are vital to the mission of our university, and re-affirmed Duke’s commitment to the Durham community.

Learn about the Walls and the watch the celebration.

President Price, Trustee Adam Silver and Stelphania WIlliams sit in the front row along side Vanessa Wall Smart and Stephanie Joy Tisdale, descendants of the Walls — Descendants of the Wall family sit alongside Duke leadership at the dedication

Stephanie Joy Tisdale, great-great-great-granddaughter of George Wall talks with university trustee Amy Abernethy.

President price holding a program, talking to Audrey Mitchell at the reception — President Vincent Price talks with Audrey Mitchell, president of Walltown Community Association.

Centennial Celebration & Concert

Reminiscent of past iconic performances of The Rolling Stones and The Grateful Dead, pop superstar Ed Sheeran headlined at Wallace Wade Stadium during the Founders’ Weekend concert.

The evening began with a sea of Duke students, alumni, and employees flooding the stadium. Tornado warnings earlier in the day had dissipated, leaving behind an electric atmosphere of excitement and anticipation.

What Makes Us Duke?

Hip-hop producer, DJ, and Duke and NC Central faculty member 9th Wonder set the tone with his multimedia montage “What Makes Us Duke?,” featuring a century’s worth of Duke’s history in photos and footage.

“What I’ve come to understand since my time here is that Duke doesn’t just mean something to everyone who studies or works here. Duke means something to the world. … Tonight is a night to celebrate what it means to be a Blue Devil and what it means to be a part of the Duke community.”

– Retta

A Message from the Mayor

“Proud Duke dad” and Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams couldn’t attend the celebration, but he sent words to commend the community that is Duke in Durham. As Williams described it, it is “in many ways, a community that is just getting started.”

The Moments That Made Duke

The murals of Duke’s graffiti tunnel and the Free Expression Bridge have served as a way to track the important moments at both Duke and around the world for more than half of the university’s first century.

Relive all the classic moments of Duke’s 100 year history.

“Duke has come a long way in 100 years. We’ve seen a lot of change and, most importantly, a lot of progress. Every generation, every class of students, every employee has come here and left their own unique mark by taking something and making it even better. That is what it means to be a Blue Devil.”

-President Vincent E. Price

“When President Price talks about excellence and the spirit that unites us, he’s talking about aiming higher. … Now everybody, as one Blue Devil community, let’s turn our eyes to the future.”

– Retta

Two hundred drones ascended from behind the scoreboard, painting the night sky with Duke symbols and phrases. As the drones spelled out “Forever Duke” amidst a shower of sparks, Ed Sheeran took the stage.

The Performance of the Century

Sheeran opened his set with the fan favorite “Castle on the Hill,” with the crowd singing along as Duke Chapel glowed in the background. The student section embraced the performance, waving hands and cell phones in the air.

Ed Sheeran stands in front of a blue-lit stage wearing his signature casual dress of white t-shirt and dark cargo pants. He plays and acoustic guitar and sings into a microphone with his eyes closed.

In a cheering crowd five college students yell, smile and wave, al wearing back tops and orange wigs that mimic Ed Sheeran’s hair style.

In the stands for a concert several students laugh and smile and pose for the camera

A man stands at the top of the stands above students and the scoreboard showing images of the concert. He smiles, and on his chest rests a baby wearing noise canceling headphones.

Bathed in a yellow light a section of the crowd looks elated to be at the performance as they cheer, clap, wave and point to the sky.

Audience members stretch up into the stands, blurring until they become the background. They smile and laugh at the events on stage.

Aglow in a pinkish-purple light, a close up highlights a few students singing along joyfully and holding hands as others hold their cell phones to capture the moment.

“When you’re doing outdoor gigs as soon as it rains the atmosphere goes from here to here (gestures up) because people just bring the energy.”

-Ed Sheeran

Homecoming

Each year, members of Duke’s worldwide community of alumni return home to campus to reconnect with friends, faculty and the the university. This year’s homecoming featured a special program of events to celebrate Duke’s centennial along with the traditional homecoming football game.

Two alumni posing for a picture in front of a blue and white balloon arch

Two alumni hold up a photo from with Centennial logos on it

UNC

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Duke

One of the great rivalries in college athletics isn’t reserved for the basketball court. Duke and UNC have been competing in football since 1888, when Trinity College won their first encounter 16-0.

The Victory Bell was introduced in 1948 and while UNC has rung the bell more often, Duke came back from 20 points down to create this historic win.

Chapel Service

The Duke community, joined by representatives from the Duke family, gathered at the Duke Chapel for a festive worship service celebrating the university’s historic motto, Eruditio et Religio (“Knowledge and Religion”).

President Price walking down the aisle in academic regalia while members of the Duke family stand in the front row — Charles Lucas III, chair of The Duke Endowment trustees and fourth generation descendant of Benjamin Duke, stands with his family during the service.

A childrens’ choir wearing black and red sing at the front of Duke chapel. — The Durham Children’s Choir helped celebrate the Centennial service.

Members of the Duke family looking around the Memorial Chapel — Members of the Duke family visit the Memorial Chapel, where Washington, James B. and Benjamin N. Duke are entombed.

There will never be another Centennial Founders’ Weekend. These events highlight a historic opportunity to recognize Duke’s extraordinary past, communicate the impact of the present and look toward the potential of Duke’s future.

As President Price said during the Presidential panel, “No one … feels that Duke’s best days are behind us. Our best days are absolutely in front of us.”