WORKING@DUKE

4 7
DUKE RANKED COMMEMORATING SUSTAINABLE DUKE

3
AMONG BEST MARTIN LUTHER Water conversation is
Says who? Several KING JR. critical since weather
prestigious publications Duke hosts January forecasters predict a
and organizations events, including a dry winter following
name Duke a best speech by the president one of the driest
place to work. of the Children’s summers.
Defense Fund.

NEWS YOU CAN USE :: Volume 2, Issue 10 :: December/January 2008

Giving Back

“
Ben Ward, associate professor of philosophy and associate dean for faculty programs at Duke, volunteers as a cook in the Urban Ministries kitchen in Durham.

D U K E F A C U LT Y A N D S T A F F O F F E R K N O W L E D G E I N S E R V I C E T O S O C I E T Y

lames flickered from gas burners under a large stock pot overflowing
with hot dogs. As the water reached a rolling boil, Ben Ward, an
F associate professor of philosophy at Duke, quickly turned his
attention to a pot of macaroni. Moving methodically as he worked, Ward
was the epitome of efficiency in the Urban Ministries kitchen in Durham.
“Every day, I learn of another person connected to Duke giving back
to the community, and that inspires me to keep doing what I do,” said
Sarah Fish, director of trust and estate administration for Duke
Development, and board president of the Volunteer Center of Durham.
“I truly believe that a lot of our world’s problems would be solved if each

u
An award-winning pianist who teaches philosophy, Arabic and person would help at least one other person in some way. I really believe
Germanic studies, Ward waved a large metal spoon as if conducting a Durham is just beginning to realize its amazing potential. And Duke is a
symphony. This time, the music was a meal for 220 homeless clients. huge part of that.”
“The main reason I enjoy volunteering is because I learn a lot from
doing so,” said Ward, who has volunteered at the Liberty Street shelter
for 20 years. “The lessons I’ve learned make me a much different and
better person.” As Patty Croom and Clover, a 3-month-old Labrador
Ward is among hundreds of Duke faculty and mix, stepped outside the Animal Protection Society of
staff who volunteer to benefit the local community. Durham, the timid puppy tugged at the leash.
They serve through the Duke-Durham “You can tell she isn’t used to having a collar on,”
The main
Neighborhood Partnership, the Volunteer Center of reason I enjoy said Croom, a service representative at the Duke
Durham and other Triangle agencies. The volunteering is because I Consultation and Referral Center. She has volunteered
Neighborhood Partnership and the Volunteer Center at the shelter since 1991. “This puppy, like many others,
help connect people with places that need assistance. learn a lot from doing so. came into the shelter as a stray. Fortunately, this one
“Volunteerism among Duke employees is alive The lessons I’ve learned already has an adoption pending.”
and well,” said Sam Miglarese, director of Croom volunteers as an adoption counselor once a
Community Engagement for the Office of month and serves on the board of directors and chairs
make me a much different
Community Affairs, which oversees the and better person.” of the animal control advisory committee. She is among
Neighborhood Partnership. “Whether it is feeding the about 15 Duke faculty and staff who volunteer at the
homeless in Durham, or giving up leave time to travel
— Ben Ward
shelter.
to the Gulf coast to participate in the rebuilding of
Duke Associate Professor of Philosophy
Volunteers feed, bathe, walk and care for nearly
New Orleans, the Duke family is well represented.” 7,000 animals each year at the shelter. The facility also
Across campus, Duke faculty and staff volunteer provides low-cost rabies and microchip clinics to the
and apply knowledge in the service of society. Bob Newlin, the provost’s public, and educational programs to local schools and civic groups.
office chief analyst and tech director, helps develop Web sites for faith- “I think that speaks very highly of Duke to have so many caring
based humanitarian groups. Math and physics professor Ronen Plesser employees,” said Simon Woodrup, the shelter’s volunteer coordinator. “It
shares scientific knowledge with public school students through an outreach shows that people who work at Duke want to help the entire community.”
program. And Duke’s Facilities Management Department employees build Croom, who has two cats and two dogs at home, said volunteering
playgrounds at public parks and beautify school landscapes. allows her to give back to animals that have given her enjoyment.

>> See VOLUNTEERS, PAGE 5

2007 Gold Medal, Internal Periodical Staff Writing This paper consists of 30% recycled
2007 Bronze Medal, Print Internal Audience Tabloids/Newsletters post-consumer fiber. Please recycle after reading.
LOOKING
@ DUKE
AHEAD
DECEMBER 14 : : Public
Stargazing led by physics department,
6 p.m., Duke Teaching Laboratory,
off Cornwallis Road, 1.5 miles west
of Kerley Road. Event is subject to
weather. Visit www.cgtp.duke.edu/~
plesser/observatory/.
JANUARY 16 : : Game Night,
PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360,
PlayStation: PS2, PC, Atari gaming
along with board games hosted by
ISIS, 9 p.m. to midnight, Interactive
Multimedia Project Space (IMPS) in
the Franklin Center, 2204 Erwin Rd.
JANUARY 20 : : Marian Wright
Edelman, president of the Children’s
Defense Fund, gives keynote address
at 2008 Duke University Martin
Luther King Jr. celebration, 3 p.m.,
Duke Chapel.
For more events, check the
university’s online calendar
at http://calendar.duke.edu
Newsbriefs
Sierra names Duke among its 10 top
eco-friendly colleges
Sierra Magazine has named Duke
University one of America’s Top 10 “Coolest”
Schools for the efforts Duke is taking to stop
global warming. Duke was ranked fifth in the
magazine’s “10 That Get It” list, the first
time the magazine has listed the greenest
campuses in America.
“The Blue Devils are turning green,
mandating certification by the U.S. Green Building
Council for all new construction, improving on campus bike trails,
collecting 17 types of recyclables, and pouring money into wind and
small hydropower projects,” Sierra Magazine says in the
November/December issue.
Sierra Magazine has a circulation of 1.2 million readers, and is the
national magazine of the Sierra Club, the nation's oldest and largest
grassroots environmental group. Read more at
www.sierraclub.org/sierra.
United Way Duke Partnership Campaign nearing end
The United Way Duke Partnership Campaign is accepting
donations from Duke faculty and staff through Jan. 1, 2008. So far,
nearly $700,000 has been donated. Each year, faculty and staff of the
university and health system generously support the United Way,
which funds 84 agencies and 177 programs in the community that
feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, care for the young, strengthen
families and serve seniors close to home. Last year, nearly 3,000 Duke
faculty and staff contributed nearly $1 million to the campaign. For
more information, and to donate online, visit
www.hr.duke.edu/unitedway.
Banjos, flute on tap for library conversation series
For the second year, the Duke University Libraries and the Duke
University Musical Instrument Collections are co-sponsoring a series
of free monthly musical conversations and demonstrations that are
open to everyone. All of the events are held at Perkins Library in the
Biddle Rare Book Room.
At 4 p.m. Dec. 7, William Michal Jr. will present “The Love of the
Banjo.” Using audio and slides, Dr. Michal, a banjo collector, will talk
about the instrument’s history in America, particularly during the 19th
and 20th centuries. The audience will hear recordings of banjo music,
some made by Michal before he retired from public performance.
The next program at 4 p.m. Jan. 18 will feature Tom Moore on
the flute accompanied by harpsichordist Tracy Richardson. Moore,
who is Duke’s music librarian and director of Duke Collegium Musicum,
will discuss and demonstrate the early flute; there are more than 200
flutes in the Duke instrument collections.
For more information about these and other programs in the
series, visit http://dumic.org/news_events.
Duke establishes new center for engineering, energy
and environment
A new center to educate students to meet the world’s energy
needs while also improving its environment is being established by
Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering in collaboration with the
university’s Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences.
The Gendell Center for Engineering, Energy and the Environment
will provide research, instruction and resources to investigate causes
and solutions to complex environmental issues.
“The Gendell Center is a wonderful example of Duke’s strategy
to make a difference by building on its special strengths in
collaboration to address real-world problems,” said Duke President
Richard H. Brodhead.
The center is being named for Jeffrey and Martha Gendell of
Greenwich, Conn., who are giving $7.85 million for two new faculty
positions, learning facilities and laboratory support there, as well
as another assistant professorship in the Nicholas School.
It is expected that the center will develop
courses leading to a new undergraduate certificate
program in energy and the
environment. It also will provide a new
home where faculty, students and
industry professionals can interact,
whether they are pursuing basic
scientific questions or real-world
applications on issues ranging from
atmospheric chemistry to new energy-
saving ideas for homes, vehicles or
workplaces. The center is likely to be located
initially in Duke’s Hudson Hall and feature new
classrooms, laboratories and meeting spaces.
Letters to the Editor must include name and contact information. E-mail
letters to working@duke.edu or mail them to Working@Duke Editor, Box
90496, Durham, NC 27708. Fax letters to (919) 681-7926. Please keep
length to no more than 200 words.

Emergency planning is focus

of Dec. 11 employee forum
n an emergency, Duke’s staff, faculty and students
will get information quickly and in numerous ways.
I
Join Kemel Dawkins, vice president for Campus
Services, and Aaron Graves, associate vice president for
Safety and Security, for Primetime on Dec. 11, as they
discuss safety at Duke, and how the university community
will be notified during an emergency. The forum is at
noon in Griffith Theater in the Bryan Center.
“This issue has been taken very seriously,” said
Dawkins, who led a review of Duke’s emergency plans
in coordination with President Richard H. Brodhead,
Executive Vice President Tallman Trask III and other
senior leaders. “The university has devoted considerable
effort into reviewing our current procedures and
identifying best practices at other institutions. Our new
plans will significantly improve our preparedness.”
Since the shootings at Virginia Tech in April,
Duke has analyzed its emergency response policies
and procedures, researching best practices at other
universities and studying new technology and
communications systems.
Among enhancements, Duke will invest in new,
dedicated computer servers to send an alert e-mail
to all students, faculty and staff more quickly. The university is purchasing
a siren and voice-announcement system to broadcast messages across campus.
Also, a special Web site – www.emergency.duke.edu – has been developed for the Duke community to learn
more about notification and the crisis communication plan. On the site, Duke community members can sign up for RSS
feeds such as the alert.rss feed that would notify subscribers after an emergency is reported. The site also will have other
feeds for updates as an emergency unfolds.
— By Office of Communication Services

LEARN MORE AT WWW.EMERGENCY.DUKE.EDU

 ‘best employer’
Duke recognized as a

n early October, Regina Miller walked Clint Davidson, vice president for Duke
through the doors of the white stucco Human Resources, said the increasing number of
I building on Broad Street looking for a
job at Duke. She had just relocated to
organizations recognizing Duke as a best place to
work is no accident. In September alone, 5,100
people submitted resumes to join Duke. Pulling a
Durham from New Jersey to help her 84-
year-old mother and thought of Duke first colorful diagram from his files, Davidson described
when considering where to apply. the blueprint for the organizational development
“My mother worked at Duke for about plan he drafted soon after he arrived in 1997.
20 years,” said Miller, who has a degree in “We’ve made concerted efforts during the
accounting. “She swears by Duke for her past 10 years to more clearly define our values,
health care. Duke is on the cutting edge for and align our policies and reward system to
research, medicine and teaching, and I want support those values,” he said. “We’ve also
to work in that type of environment.” introduced programs to help better develop our
For years, Duke has ranked among the at Tutor Time day care in Durham. McCray participates in the Duke Child people and communicate effectively.”
LaKiesha McCray, Duke Hospital registered nurse, with son, Quinnlan Davis,

best institutions in the country for students Davidson cited several examples of Duke’s
work, including the creation of the Guiding
Care Partnership, which was named as a family-friendly initiative in

and patients as a top university and hospital

Carolina Parent magazine.

with some of the best graduate programs. Now, Duke’s name is cropping Principles and Blue Ribbon recognition programs; a new performance
up on prestigious lists that represent a different constituency – the more management system based on behaviors and results; development
than 30,000 faculty and staff at Duke. programs such as Managing at Duke and the Professional Development
In 2007, Duke was named as a best place to work by several Institute; the employee tuition assistance program; and improvements in
publications and organizations, including Carolina Parent, Computerworld, internal communications.
The Scientist, and the American Association of Retired Persons, among While proud of the accomplishments, Davidson said there is still work
others. The organizations recognizing Duke represent a diverse range of to be done.
interests, from family-friendly and preventive health to the “The fact that Duke is now included on these lists is a sign that we are
needs of IT professionals and academic researchers. on the right path and making progress,” Davidson said. “We still need to
find better ways to connect people to the goals of the institution and to
create greater visibility and engagement with Duke’s leaders.”
Says who?
Carolina Parent Computerworld AARP The Scientist
Named Duke Duke University and Named Duke University Health Named Durham Regional Hospital Named Duke University among
Health System a top family-friendly System one of top 100 information one of 50 Best Employers for top 15 “Best Places to Work
workplace in North Carolina. technology (IT) places to work. Workers over 50 years old. in Academia.”

Why I joined … Why I stayed …

In July, Richard Holcomb, 40,
left a job with SAS Institute in
Cary, a place listed for eight
consecutive years in the top 20 of
Fortune magazine’s “100 Best
Companies to Work for in
America,” to take a job at Duke.
Holcomb, who left Duke two
years ago for the job at SAS, came
back as a compensation systems
manager in Human Resources
because of the professional
opportunities available.
“SAS is an incredible
employer, but the challenges at
Richard Holcomb
For 27 years, Esther Roseboro has
worked as a nurse at Durham Regional
Hospital, which was named by AARP
this year as one of the “Best
Employers for Workers over 50.”
Roseboro’s tenure at Durham
Regional is not uncommon. She
moved to the Ambulatory Care Unit
in 1990, and is among three of the
five original employees who remain
17 years later. Now 60, Roseboro
credits her colleagues and their
collective commitment to making a
difference among the reasons why
she stayed.
Esther Roseboro

Duke are greater for me,” he said. “I missed the dynamics of the
environment here – the health system, the university, the diversity and
complexity. Those are all aspects that are stimulating to my career.”
Holcomb said that while SAS receives a lot of attention for its
benefits, he found benefits such as retirement to be better at Duke.
He also appreciates other factors such as the mission of Duke, its
stability and the commitment of its leaders.
“Duke does so much to try to make the world better and is not
just driven by profit,” Holcomb said. “I want to support an institution
like that. Duke’s leadership genuinely considers the impact of their
decisions on staff – that’s rare in this day.”
“I have had a lot of support over the years from my co-workers
and supervisors,” Roseboro said. “I even call one of my co-workers
my adopted sister. And I feel like I’m making a difference here by
taking care of patients and teaching them to take better care of
themselves.”
Roseboro said she also appreciates the benefits at Duke.
“Working here, I meet a lot of people and hear about their benefits
and insurance,” she said. “Many of them have higher co-pays and
deductibles than we do.”
Has Roseboro ever considered leaving?
“I have thought about leaving before, but it was never the most
practical choice, and honestly, at this point, I don’t want to go
anywhere else.”

— Stories by Paul Grantham and Elizabeth Michalka

Learn More at www.hr.duke.edu/bestemployer Office of Communication Services
3
 Read together with
DukeReads online book club
hile sitting at the kitchen table in her Durham
home, Margaret Clarke was immersed in a lively
W discussion about the complexity of love and
nature of evil.
Clarke, a School of Medicine senior compliance
auditor, was among dozens of Duke faculty, staff,
students and alumni participating in the October
online chat about “We Need to Talk About
Kevin,” a novel by Lionel Shriver about a family in
crisis.
The forum was part of DukeReads, a 600-
plus member virtual book club
launched in September by the
Alumni Association, Duke
University Libraries and others.
Deborah Jakubs, the Rita
Richard H. Brodhead
after similar programs at Princeton
and Stanford universities,
DukeReads is sparking insightful
conversations on campus – and off.
“This is a great way to involve
the entire Duke community in
multigenerational, interdisciplinary
conversations around such topics as
evolutionary biology, race relations
and American culture,” said Rachel
Davies, Duke’s director of alumni
education and travel who proposed the online book club.
During a live chat Jan. 9, Brodhead will offer insights
about his selection, “The Namesake,” a multi-generational
story of a Hindu family by Jhumpa Lahiri.
“One theme that runs through the book is how we

DiGiallonardo Holloway grow out of our origins and how we come back to them,”
will offer insights Jan. 9 about his

University Librarian and vice Brodhead said. “That is a common theme that speaks to all
selection, “The Namesake,” a multi-
generational story of a Hindu family.

provost for Library Affairs, picked people.”

October’s selection. It’s one of DukeReads offers an innovative way for avid book
seven books selected by a panel of readers to share their passion with others, he said. “I love
distinguished Duke bibliophiles, the idea that reading can bring people together,” Brodhead
Richard H. Brodhead
including President Richard H. said. “That’s the purpose of this program.”
7 Books, 7 Months Brodhead. The first session of DukeReads end in April, and
“I think it’s wonderful that I was able to log on to the organizers hope to continue the program next fall.
chat and listen on headphones while clipping pictures for a “DukeReads stimulates critical conversation within our
Get the latest
schedule and school poster my 14-year-old son Spencer was putting extended Duke community and represents another way to
learn more at together on the kitchen floor,” Clarke said. “For busy people, be connected to the life of ideas at Duke, regardless of
www.dukereads.com. this is a very convenient way to be part of a book club.” location,” Jakubs said.
For details about DukeReads participants explore book selections, post
online comments, participate in live chats, watch videos of
— By Missy Baxter

previous chats and sign-up for e-mail updates. Modeled

live book chats, Senior Writer, Office of Communication Services

select “instructions”
on the top menu.

Marian Wright Edelman to

“
speak at MLK commemoration
“Now as never before is the chance offered to do something. This is
a history-making epoch where we –me – the young – can be major
characters. Now is the time to act – to work – to sacrifice.”
hose words were written March 4, 1960, in the diary

T of a twenty-year-old Spelman College student. The

diarist was Marian Wright Edelman, now president
of the Children’s Defense Fund and respected civil rights
lawyer. Edelman will be the keynote speaker at Duke’s
Martin Luther King Jr. celebration 3 p.m. Jan. 20, in Duke
Chapel.
Marian Wright Edelman

“The Power of Youth” is the theme for this year’s King

celebration with events that focus on caring for children
and how college students can bring about social reform.
The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at Duke in 1964, filling Page Auditorium

In the ’60s, Edelman participated in the Civil Rights

Many effective and receiving a standing ovation. PHOTO COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES.

social justice Movement, protesting segregated lunch counters in
movements are campus- Atlanta, working for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund in
New York, advocating for poor children in Mississippi and
helping King organize the Poor People’s March on
based—anti-war
mobilizations, get out the Washington. In 1973, she founded the Children’s Defense
vote drives, divestment in Fund with the mission of lobbying for programs
supporting poor and vulnerable children. She was the first
companies doing business
black woman admitted to the Mississippi bar and was
with Sudan to aid the awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
“My advice to young people is to join a cause and stay
oppressed in Darfur.”
with it,” Edelman said in an e-mail interview. “When Dr.
— Marian Wright Edelman
King was in the midst of the Montgomery bus boycott, he
had no idea that 10 years later he would be mobilizing
millions in a national struggle to end racial injustice, or that
he would be accepting the Nobel Peace Prize.
4
“Many effective social justice movements are campus-
based—anti-war mobilizations, get out the vote drives,
divestment in companies doing business with Sudan to aid
the oppressed in Darfur,” she said.
Ben Reese, one of the King committee co-chairs and
Duke’s vice president for institutional equity, sited
Edelman’s ongoing work lobbying for policies that benefit
children in choosing her to speak.
“Martin Luther King often spoke of creating a more
just society for future generations,” he said. “Marian
Wright Edelman carries forward that passion and
determination for our children – for a society of safety,
social justice and educational enrichment.”
— By James Todd
Writer, Office of News & Communications

Visit http://mlk.duke.edu
Volunteers
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

“It’s not just dogs and cats,” Croom said. “We’ve had everything from
alligators to emus in here,” she said, pointing toward two sheep inside an

u
indoor kennel. “There are lots of other ways to help if you do not want to
work with animals. We need volunteers to help with our education
committee, front desk and other administrative tasks.”

As hundreds of music fans streamed into historic Durham Athletic

Park, Ed Gomes scurried across the field to a booth filled with
volunteers selling T-shirts and memorabilia for the 20th Annual Bull
Durham Blues Festival.
“I’m just making sure you’ve got plenty of change before the customers
get here,” said Gomes, smiling and adjusting a shoulder microphone that
connected him with festival organizers and security.
Gomes, who oversees information systems support at Perkins Library,
has served as a blues festival volunteer for many years and as chair of the
2007 festival in September.
“You have an opportunity to make a difference in many areas
of need by giving a bit of your time,” he said. “You get to meet some
wonderful people, both the volunteers and recipients of your efforts,
Patty Croom and Clover, a 3-month-old Labrador mix, visit

and it makes you feel good about your efforts at the end of the day.”
with each other at the Animal Protection Society of

The blues festival lures big names in the music industry and about
Durham. Croom, service representative at the Duke
Consultation and Referral Center, has volunteered at the

20,000 fans each year. It raises money for the St. Joseph’s Historic
shelter since 1991.

Foundation, which operates the Hayti Heritage Center. Proceeds fund

activities at the center, including the Annual Martin Luther King Jr.
Raise-a-Reader Fair.
Volunteer Resources
“The St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation is an organization that
embraces the heritage of Hayti, a vibrant African-American community
D u k e - D u r h a m N e i g h b o r h o o d Pa r t n e r s h i p
Launched in 1996, the Duke-Durham Neighborhood

u
in Durham that was unique in the South at that time,” Gomes said. “By
volunteering, I feel like I’m helping keep Hayti’s history alive and helping
with the community’s future, too.”
Ben Ward, the Duke professor, volunteers about four times each week
in the kitchen at Urban Ministries.
Known as “Mr. Ben” to the clients at Urban Ministries, Ward
organizes special dinners for shelter clients. A few years ago, he recruited
other Duke faculty and students to organize a salmon dinner, complete
with candles, floral centerpieces, and linen napkins and table cloths.
“His compassion is sincere,” said Tom Holcomb, who oversees the
shelter’s food and clothing services. “One of the most impressive things is
the way he interacts with the clients. He treats them all with respect and
expresses a true interest in their lives. People like Ben really give Duke a
good name.”
— By Missy Baxter
Senior Writer, Office of Communication Services
Partnership collaborates with public schools, government agencies,
non-profit organizations and humanitarian groups to spearhead
community service projects in Durham neighborhoods.
Each year, more than 200 Duke staff and faculty contribute
time, energy and talent through the partnership. During the past
decade, Duke volunteers helped establish health clinics, build
affordable housing, provide educational enrichment opportunities
for youth and organize crime prevention programs.
“Volunteers who want to do something totally different than
their role at Duke can contribute in an entirely different way,” said
Sam Miglarese, director of community engagement for the Office
of Community Affairs, which oversees the partnership. “We’ve got
something for everyone.”
Visit www.community.duke.edu or contact Sam Miglarese,
sam.miglarese@duke.edu, or David Stein, dstein@duke.edu.
Vo l u n t e e r C e n t e r o f D u r h a m
The center’s role as a clearing house for volunteers offers an
efficient way of connecting the Duke community with more than

400 agencies throughout the Triangle.

Sarah Fish, director of trust and estate administration for Duke
Development and board president for the Volunteer Center of
Durham, is impressed with the number of Duke employees who
give back to the community.
“The Volunteer Center makes it easy for people to make a
difference,” Fish said. “People can read postings on our Web site
from groups seeking volunteers, and they can also participate in
programs that we sponsor.”
Visit www.thevolunteercenter.org, or call (919) 688-8977.

Tr i a n g l e U n i t e d Wa y
The Triangle United Way’s interactive Web portal enables
potential volunteers to find community service opportunities
with hundreds of area agencies. Volunteers can search by using
a keyword, such as a specific field of interest, or they can complete
a personal profile to match them with local agencies.
The organization also seeks volunteers for community impact
programs such as Teaming for Technology, which helps bridge the
digital divide by refurbishing used computers for North Carolina
families.
Visit www.unitedwaytriangle.org or call (919) 463-5043.

Ed Gomes, who oversees information systems support at Perkins Library, adjusts a shoulder microphone
that connects him with festival organizers and security at the Annual Bull Durham Blues Festival. 5
 Teamwork/Diversityawards
Winners of the Diversity Award and Teamwork Award for 2007 were honored by Duke University and Health System leaders during a luncheon Nov. 1. The Diversity
Award recognizes faculty or staff members who demonstrate, through positive interactions with others, a respect and value for differing backgrounds and points of view at Duke.
The Teamwork Award honors employees who collaborate and work together on a project or significant effort that advances departmental goals and/or Duke’s mission. In
addition to university staff recognized, a Diversity Award was presented to Dr. Delbert R. Wigfall, associate professor, Pediatrics, Nephrology. Members of Duke Medicine’s
Clinical Research Committee Team received the Teamwork Award.

Gregory Duncan

Diversity Award
Gregory F. Duncan Back row, left to right: Provost Peter Lange, Elaine Madison, President Richard H. Brodhead, Sheila Curran, Susan Kauffman,

Associate Dean of Student Services

David Schaad. Front row, left to right: Sam Miglarese, Betsy Alden, Eric Mlyn, Lee Willard.

Duke University Divinity School

Teamwork Award
In 1990, Duncan launched Project BRI(DDD)GE (Building Relationships In The DukeEngage Team (Zoila Airall, Betsy Alden, James Belvin, Alma Blount,
Durham through Duke Divinity Graduate Education). The project is a week- Tony Brown, Sheila Curran, Susan M. Kauffman, Elaine Madison, Sam

“
long, pre-orientation program for entering students that seeks to nurture Miglarese, Eric J. Mlyn, Margaret Riley, James Roberts, Cheri Ross, David
Christian outreach in Durham. Schaad, Lee Willard)
Dean Duncan has consistently pushed the boundaries of the Divinity The DukeEngage Team comprises of 15 inter-departmental members who

“
School’s student life programs, setting about deliberately to create and created a ground-breaking program that enables undergraduates to apply
nurture a variety of initiatives that make diversity a way of life for all of us classroom learning to addressing societal issues at home and abroad.

”
in our community, not only students, but also faculty, staff and
administrators…He has taught our students that the words and concepts The result of their work is what we now know as DukeEngage and the Duke

they study in class…are not academic abstractions but something to
be…made real in the world.
—Nominators, Connie Mitchell Shelton and Joseph Shelton,
Co-Directors, Field Education; Cheryl Brown, Director, Admissions;
Sally Bates, Chaplain; Sheila Williams, Director, Financial Aid.
”
Center for Civic Engagement…Just within a few months of its debut, 90
students have already engaged in internships in the U.S., Yemen, Tanzania,
India and Kenya. Moreover, DukeEngage has come to be widely viewed as a
national model for integrated service and the undergraduate experience.
—Nominator, Provost Peter Lange

The 2007 holiday suncatcher –

designed through teamwork

“
his year’s Duke Programs, the Human Resources unit that has given the

Tsuncatcher is more
meaningful than ever,
not only because of what
it represents and the work
that went into creating it,
but because for the first
time, it was designed by a
Duke staff member.
“It has been an
unexpected honor to be a
part of this,” said Pam
Isner, research technician
in the Department of
Pathology, the suncatcher
designer.
Isner created about
Pam Isner
suncatcher as a holiday gift to Duke faculty and staff
since the early 1990s.
“The guiding principles theme makes the suncatcher
really specific to Duke, and I think the beautiful design
lends itself to personal interpretation,” Pallett said.
“Everyone has seen something different in the design.
They interpret the shapes as flowers, birds, dolphins and
even people. That really makes the suncatcher a unique
piece of art.”
Isner, who has participated in various Duke employee
art shows, was recommended for the suncatcher project by
the Health Arts Network at Duke, also known as HAND.
She first learned to work in leaded glass and stained glass
18 years ago. Since then, she also learned mosaic
techniques. She prefers large, intricate projects, like three
dimensional works of more than 1,000 pieces, and stained

It feels good to
make this for
other Duke employees …
I hope this suncatcher
is as special to Duke
employees as it is to me.”
— Pam Isner
30 sketches for the 2007 glass windows with more than 200 pieces.
suncatcher before the final Despite her experience and talent, Isner said she was
design was selected. The nervous about taking on the suncatcher project. It was very
suncatcher is the shape of a different in size and scope than anything she has done. She
circle with a Duke blue border never had her art work reproduced in a large quantity, and
and three connected shapes in the she had never created a design based on a concept like
center in green, blue and purple. They represent teamwork, teamwork.
one of Duke’s guiding principles. The suncatchers are “It feels good to make this for other Duke employees,”
being distributed to 28,000 faculty and staff as a sign Isner said. “The suncatcher really is a special thing to
of appreciation. people here, especially since every one is handmade at
Isner will also design future suncatchers based on a small family business in Rhode Island. I hope this
the other principles: trustworthiness, respect, diversity suncatcher is as special to Duke employees as it is to me.”

and learning. This year marks the 10th anniversary of

Duke Department of Pathology

the principles, which speak to Duke’s overall goals and

— By Elizabeth Michalka

mission, said Monica Pallett, manager of Staff & Family

Communications Specialist, HR Communications

6
Sustainable uke
YO U R S O U R C E FO R G R E E N N E W S AT D U K E
U.S. SEASONAL DROUGHT OUTLOOK


NORTH
CAROLINA

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Report leaks, dripping
faucets and running
toilets. For University
buildings, 684-2122;
residence halls, 684-

“
With the strengthening and expected persistence of La Niña conditions through 5320 (East), 684-5486
early 2008, the current drought outlook leaned heavily on precipitation anomalies
(West), 684-5813
that typically occur during La Niña episodes. A widespread area of drought
development is expected from the southern Rockies into the southern Plains, Gulf (Central); medical
Coast, and Florida. Year-to-date rainfall deficits range from 15 to 20 inches in the center, 684-3232.
area of exceptional drought centered in northern parts of Alabama and Georgia.
Drought will likely persist in these areas along with the Carolinas. SOURCE: NATIONAL
Turn off faucets while
OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION. washing hands or
brushing teeth.

Every Drop Counts
Make a conscious effort

Water conservation at Duke
s North Carolina experiences the worst drought in
recorded history, Duke is developing a conservation
A plan to reduce water consumption and has launched a
new Web site to provide students, faculty and staff with
the latest drought information and water conservation tips.
Water conservation is critical, Duke water officials say,
since weather forecasters predict a dry winter following
one of the driest summers.
“We may reach the spring and summer with even less
water than we had in 2007,” said Eben Polk, a Nicholas
Institute research associate.
Duke has cut its daily water use by thousands of
gallons since the beginning of the drought, and is
developing a conservation plan to comply with all stages of
Durham’s water conservation ordinance. The plan will
include reduction measures that comply with the current
Stage III restrictions – enacted in September – which
include a target goal of reducing water use by 30 percent.
“Even before the city issued the mandatory restrictions
Duke had already begun making changes to reduce the
amount of water consumed, and we are continuing to look
at all areas on campus to find additional ways to conserve
water,” said John Noonan, associate vice president for
Duke’s Facilities Management Department. “Duke is
determined to stay ahead of the game on this.”
Water consumption at Duke has been reduced in a
variety of ways – adjusting low-flush toilets, discontinuing
pressure washing and most lawn watering, and making
operational changes such as an adjustment at the central
chilled water plant that saves 9,000 gallons daily.
Even in the medical facilities, which account for nearly
half of Duke’s total annual water use, conservation is in
full swing. Duke’s medical facilities are working to reduce
consumption through a variety of proposed engineering
to do one thing every
day at Duke to conserve
water. Every drop
counts.
One proposed project alone is expected to save
millions of gallons annually. It involves recovering cold
water from cooling units at the Nanaline Duke and Sands
buildings, and pumping the water to Duke’s central chilled
water plant for use in the plant’s process to cool buildings
at Duke. We’d need
“We’re encouraging all employees to conserve water
whenever they can without impacting the quality of patient
about 24
care,” said James Good, associate operating officer at Duke inches of precipitation
Hospital. “During the past five years, the Health System
has saved a substantial amount of water that is required to by the end of February
operate our facilities by engineering more efficient ways to
use water. Those are the types of things that we’re looking
or about 35 by May to
into for future reductions.” completely end the
On the university campus, most automatic irrigation
systems, which account for 8 percent of Duke’s total water
drought this winter,
use, have been turned off. And several eateries have and the chances of that
switched to disposable dinnerware, saving hundreds of
gallons daily.
happening are less
Water use from fiscal year 2006 to fiscal year 2007 than 4 percent.”
decreased by 30 million gallons, Noonan said. “This was
done in spite of adding additional new square footage in — Phil Badgett
buildings on campus,” he said. “Our commitment to National Weather Service
design environmentally-friendly buildings has resulted in
more efficient use of resources such as water.”
forecaster in Raleigh
North Carolina’s drought is not expected to end soon.
“We’d need about 24 inches of precipitation by the
end of February or about 35 by May to completely end the
drought this winter,” said Phil Badgett, a National Weather
Service forecaster in Raleigh, “and the chances of that
happening are less than 4 percent.”
— By Missy Baxter
Senior Writer, Office of Communication Services

projects such as installing low flush toilets and recycling

water from buildings.
7

Conserve Water Now – Visit www.duke.edu/sustainability/water

WORKING@ DUKE
HOW TO REACH US
Editor: Leanora Minai
(919) 681-4533
leanora.minai@duke.edu
Assistant Vice President:
Paul S. Grantham
(919) 681-4534
paul.grantham@duke.edu
Graphic Design & Layout:
Paul Figuerado
Photography: Stewart Waller, Waller
Digital; Elizabeth Michalka, HR
Communications; and Jon Gardiner,
Les Todd and Megan Morr of Duke
University Photography
Support Staff: Mary Carey
Working@Duke is published monthly
by Duke’s Office of Communication
Services. We invite your
feedback and suggestions for
future story topics.
Please write us at
working@duke.edu or
Working@Duke, Box 90496,
705 Broad St., Durham, NC 27708
Call us at (919) 684-4345.
Send faxes to (919) 681-7926.
Mystery diners provide valuable feedback
David Gastwirth, Sanford Institute of Public Policy research associate, is a mystery diner.
Want To Be A
Mystery Diner?
• Contact Tammy Hope at
tammy.hope@duke.edu, call
(919) 660-3926 or visit
www.dining.duke.edu
• Meet with Dining Services
and review program & protocol
• Receive assignment, review
form and meal voucher
• Visit the eatery during
breakfast, lunch or dinner
• Complete and submit review
within a week
D U K E T O D AY
“
dialogue@Duke
“How will you give back to your community
in the coming year?”
I’m a member at Providence Baptist Church in Raleigh and I’ve spent time working
“
with college students at the church in the past few years. I am hoping to continue being
involved in serving the local community in other ways with my church, such as being a part of a
newly developed ministry for widows. God has blessed my life in more ways than I know, and I
enjoy giving back to my community in response to that.”
Sarah Hinton
Ergonomics Specialist
Occupational & Environmental Safety
1 year at Duke
I always try to help people out when they need it, and I will continue doing that. I think
“
it’s important to help on a daily basis, such as when a friend or neighbor needs a ride or
when someone is broken down on the side of the road. I believe in helping when I can.”
Orlando Watson
Grounds Equipment Operator, Facilities Management Department
1 year at Duke
One of my goals for 2008 is to give back by helping the environment and conserving
water. The drought has truly been a reminder of how precious our community
resources are. I’m focusing on preserving the environment we all live in by being more
conscious of the water we consume, recycling and creating a ‘green’ work and home
environment. I’ve been shortening showers, turning off running water while brushing my teeth
and doing the dishes, and running only full loads of the dishwasher and the washing machine.
I want to find other ways to save water next year.”
Rebecca Levenson
Interim Director, Jewish Life
2 years at Duke
— By Missy Baxter
Senior Writer, Office of Communication Services
he scent of chicken curry filled the air as David Gastwirth studied
the buffet at Henry’s Place, a kosher eatery in the Freeman Center
T for Jewish Life.
After a nod of approval for the food appearance and diverse buffet
selection, Gastwirth, a Duke grad and research associate at the Sanford
Institute of Public Policy, took a seat and began the taste test. He dredged
fresh-baked Indian flatbread through a pool of cucumber raita, a yogurt-
based sauce. He smiled and jotted a few notes: “spotless buffet,” “nice
presentation,” “friendly cashier.”
Yes, the food police are alive and well at Duke. And Gastwirth is
among them.
“My job is to check out all the cool places to eat at Duke, and let
them know what they’re doing right, and if there are things they need
to improve,” Gastwirth said.
As a mystery diner with Duke Dining Services, Gastwirth is among
dozens of Duke staff, faculty and students who provide valuable feedback
about food and customer service at about two dozen eateries on the university campus.
Mystery diners volunteer to rate customer service, speed of service, food quality, cleanliness, merchandising and
overall impression. In return for visiting a restaurant and completing a Customer Care Review, diners receive a free meal.
“Customer service in a lot of locations has improved and menus in some locations have changed, based on feedback
and suggestions from mystery diners,” said Tammy Hope, Duke Dining’s quality assurance specialist.
Duke faculty and staff members who want to become mystery diners first notify Dining Services of their interest.
They must meet with Hope to review the program before receiving an assignment that specifies location and whether
the visit is for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Diners are only permitted to conduct one review at each eligible eatery.
“Completing the review usually only takes about 10 minutes, which is a good trade for a free meal,” Hope said.
While there is no price limit for a meal, the sky is not the limit. “We tell them to eat what they would normally
eat and to be reasonable,” Hope said.
Frankie Fogg, a mystery diner, said the program gives employees an incentive to explore campus.
“Before I became a mystery diner, I didn’t know so many good places to eat existed at Duke,” said Fogg, a safety
technician at Duke’s Occupational Hygiene & Safety Office. “If you work close to the hospital and don’t get a chance
to explore the campus, this provides a chance to interact with people you don’t see on a consistent basis.”
— By Missy Baxter
Senior Writer, Office of Communication Services
For daily news and information, visit
www.duke.edu/today