Professional Documents
Culture Documents
3
The recognition and Winners of the Are you among the
celebration of Duke Presidential Award for 5,500 Duke community
faculty and staff outstanding service were members who have
returns in May with a announced in April. The pledged to make
blog and ice cream awards are among the changes to reduce
social with music on most prestigious honors emissions at Duke?
West Campus Quad. for faculty and staff. If not, pledge now.
Family Ties
DUKE’S WORKFORCE INCLUDES MANY FAMILIES WHOSE EMPLOYMENT TIES SPAN GENERATIONS
hree tiny note cards hang on a wall behind Kristy Chu’s desk in the School of Nursing.
2009, 2008, 2007 Gold Medal, Internal Periodical Staff Writing This paper consists of 30% recycled
2009, 2007 Bronze Medal, Print Internal Audience Tabloids/Newsletters post-consumer fiber. Please recycle after reading.
Editor’s
Note
LEANORA MINAI
Newsbriefs
Leanora.Minai@duke.edu
Are you fiscally fit? Summer fun in the gardens
Duke Human Resources will host Financial Fitness Week for staff and This summer, enjoy music, movies
T
he last time I wrote about Shape faculty and their immediate family members May 17-20. and a family fun day in the Sarah P.
Up Duke, the fitness challenge that The week’s events are free for Duke’s workforce, and include Duke Gardens.
began in January, I was struggling workshops on financial planning topics such as setting long-term On Wednesday evenings,
to meet my goal of 10,000 daily steps financial goals, saving for retirement, understanding social security Duke Performances will host its
on the pedometer. and the basics of investing. Representatives from the Duke Federal Music in the Gardens concerts,
A lot has changed. Credit Union, Duke Benefits and financial benefit providers will also be
I’m now running up to 45 minutes which include a mix of classical
available at information booths to answer questions.
a clip several days a week, thanks in part performers and indie rock with
The dates and locations of the financial workshops are: Monday,
to the challenge. Shape Up Duke raised local ties. The series begins May
May 17, Durham Regional Hospital (1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.); Tuesday,
my awareness about my lack of consistent, 26 with the Annuals, an indie band from
moderate-to-high intensity activity. I May 18, Duke Raleigh Hospital (8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.); Wednesday, May
Raleigh. Duke employees can purchase tickets for $5; general public
needed to get moving – and did. 19, Searle Center (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.); and Thursday, May 20, Bryan
tickets are $10. Visit dukeperformances.duke.edu for information.
By April 4, the program’s end, Center Von Canon rooms (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
For those who prefer the big screen, the Gardens plans to
I logged 2,451 exercise minutes and On Thursday, May 20, Ernst & Young will offer two sessions of a
four-hour retirement planning workshop for employees approaching present its free summer movie series on the south lawn.
walked 807,269 steps. Our “Working@Duke”
team placed 43rd among 240 teams in retirement – 8 a.m. to noon, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. – in the Griffith And on May 30, the Gardens will also host a free Family Fun Day
exercise minutes, and 37th among 231 Theater in the Bryan Center. Reservations are required. from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., which includes a public parade led by
teams for pedometer steps. Due to limited space, reservations are also recommended for Paperhand Puppet Intervention.
Across Duke, more than 2,200 other workshops. For the full schedule and to reserve a seat, visit Visit sarahpdukegardens.org for movie and other event updates.
faculty and staff combined to exercise hr.duke.edu/financialfitness.
3.2 million minutes, lose 7,082 pounds
and take more than 793 million steps,
Two gyms added to discount
equivalent to nearly 400,000 miles. Record number receive flu shots Duke Fitness Club memberships
The Medical Center logged the highest With the flu season over, it appears Duke faculty and staff are a big Two fitness clubs in Wake County now offer Duke faculty and staff and
numbers in each category, followed by reason the one-two punch of the 2009 H1N1 flu and seasonal flu virus their families discount memberships through the Duke Fitness Club.
the University, and then Duke Hospital was never as bad as advertised. Healthtrax Fitness, 8300 Health Park in Raleigh, and Gold’s Gym,
and Durham Regional and Duke The Duke workforce turned out in record numbers for the with locations in Cary, Durham, and Raleigh, were added in part due to
Raleigh hospitals. (See story Page 4). seasonal flu vaccine this season, which caused a lowered threat of a
the closing of several fitness locations last year and to expand options
“The participants loved the flu outbreak, said Dr. George Jackson, director of Employee
connection with others, and the for a growing number of employees who live in Wake County.
Occupational Health and Wellness. More than 16,000 seasonal flu
competitive side of the program,” said “We reviewed several applications from clubs that were
vaccinations were administered since October – about half of all
Liz Grabosky, fitness program manager interested in becoming part of the Duke Fitness Club program. We
faculty and staff, and 4,357 more than in 2008. In addition, more than
for LIVE FOR LIFE, Duke’s employee felt that Healthtrax and Gold’s Gym offered the most flexibility and
10,350 employees also received a free vaccine for the 2009 H1N1 flu.
wellness program and challenge the best options for services and locations,” said Elizabeth Grabosky,
Jackson said the positive outcome is a result of the vaccine and
organizer. “Through their teams, they fitness manager for Live for Life, Duke’s employee wellness program.
employees following recommended health steps like washing hands.
got to know each other better by Enrollment in the Duke Fitness Club is coordinated through LIVE
working out together and giving each “So many people got the message about how to avoid getting sick and
it had a major payoff,” Jackson said. “People were much wiser about FOR LIFE. Membership fees are paid through payroll deduction. For
other feedback.”
Participant survey results show their health this year by getting a shot and improving hygiene by more information or to sign up, visit hr.duke.edu/fitness or call LIVE
68 percent made a lifestyle change; washing hands often.” FOR LIFE at (919) 684-3136.
71 percent are more physically active
and 55 percent eat a healthier diet.
Count me among the participants Correction Letters to the Editor must include name and contact information.
more motivated, focused and accountable Katie Lattimore’s name was incorrect in “Volunteering for E-mail letters to working@duke.edu or mail them to Working@Duke
for achieving my ongoing fitness goals. Science,” a March cover story about how employees advance Editor, Box 90496, Durham, NC 27708. Fax letters to
scientific discovery through Duke clinical trials. (919) 681-7926. Please keep length to no more than 200 words.
“
unchanged this year to help close an payment, will it be subject to deductions?
estimated $100 million deficit by 2012. We remain Yes, the payment is subject to all applicable
Similar to last year, however, University state, federal and FICA taxes.
faculty and staff earning $80,000 or less will enormously
receive a $1,000 one-time lump payment in appreciative of our Q: Will senior officers of the University
July, provided they are successfully meeting employees, both for receive a pay increase this year?
the expectations of their school or No.
department.
the excellent work you
Q: Will this program help avoid layoffs?
“We remain enormously appreciative do every day and for
Duke cannot make permanent salary
of our employees, both for the excellent work your willingness to make a shared sacrifice increases at this time without aggravating
you do every day and for your willingness
to make a shared sacrifice to help meet our
to help meet our current challenge.” future budget problems and jeopardizing
— President Richard H. Brodhead jobs. To put the salary decision in
current challenge,” Brodhead said. perspective, last year the lump sum payment
Duke University Health System helped save $18 million, which protected
employees are covered by a separate policy, and employees whose positions the equivalent of 200 jobs. Thanks to initiatives such as the retirement
reside within a collective bargaining unit will be governed under the terms incentive programs, close attention to vacancy management, and
of those respective contracts. improvements to efficiency at all levels, there has been significant progress
Q: Why was $80,000 chosen as the salary cap? with respect to reducing the University’s operating budget by 2012. With
The intent was to try and cover more employees who have been impacted a focus on the changes already underway and a continued commitment to
more severely by the recession. The threshold for eligibility moved from further reduce costs as we move forward, the probability of large scale
$50,000 last year to $80,000 this year and covers the majority of employees. layoffs has been substantially reduced.
The $80,000 salary cap was determined by projecting how many people
— By the Office of Communication Services
could get the $1,000 lump sum with the limited funds available.
2
Duke Appreciation 2010
L
ast May, Bonnie Turner thanked her
supervisor in a new way: she wrote an entry
The celebration also includes “Night of Duke
Stars,” an invitation-only event for employees
Duke
Stars
on the Duke Appreciation employee blog. celebrating career milestones of 10 or more years.
“I truly and whole heartedly appreciate my “Duke has had a long tradition of expressing
supervisor, Eleanor Hardy,” wrote Turner, a staff appreciation to our colleagues who are
specialist in Employee Occupational Health and committed to the institution’s mission and
Wellness. “She knows how to turn your gray skies to Each year, Duke pays special tribute
values,” said Kyle Cavanaugh, vice president for
blue with a funny comment, or a hug and a smile.” to faculty and staff celebrating career
Human Resources. “Although our current
Hardy was touched when she read the entry. milestones of 10 or more years at
economic situation has required modifications to
“In all the 30 years that I have worked at the Night of Duke Stars, an
our employee appreciation events, it is important
Duke, nobody has ever done that kind of thing to invitation-only event. More than
to take time to say, ‘thank you.’”
say thanks to me,” Hardy said. “It made my day.” 2,300 employees are celebrating
Employees can say thank you in a new way
This month, the blog returns for Duke milestones. Here’s a look at what
by giving a colleague a “MARKET-GRAM” from
Appreciation 2010, the annual celebration and some Duke stars say about Duke.
the Duke Farmers Market. Employees who
recognition of Duke’s 32,000 faculty and staff. purchase fruit, flowers or other small items at
“I think my peers are
Other recognition events in May include an ice Friday markets in May can pick up a free fabulous to work
cream social with music on the Quad, an employee bookmark gift tag from the LIVE FOR LIFE with.”
art show and family activities at Sarah P. Duke table with one of several messages like “working — Kay Webb
Theater Operations
Gardens and Durham Bulls Athletic Park. at Duke with you is sweet.” 15 years
Duke employees enjoyed music by Carnavalito last year as part of the “Everyone that has
Duke Appreciation event on the West Campus Quad. This year, enjoy ever been a supervisor
music by Sensory Expressions at the Music, Art & Ice Cream on the Quad to me has also been a
event May 27. mentor.”
— Debby Marshall
Parking and Transportation
25 years
Sunday, May 30
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sarah P. Duke Gardens Family Fun Day
Garden-themed activities and a participatory
VOICES:
parade led by the Paperhand Puppet Intervention. Hear more from these Duke
(Rain date: June 6). Stars at hr.duke.edu/
appreciation
For other Duke Appreciation events, visit
hr.duke.edu/appreciation
3
For everything Duke Appreciation 2010, visit hr.duke.edu/appreciation
Presidential awards
he winners of the Presidential Award for 2009 for outstanding service were honored by President Richard H. Brodhead in
T April. The awards, among the most prestigious honor given to Duke staff and faculty, recognize their distinctive contributions
to Duke University & Health System over the year. Each recipient received a Presidential Medallion and check for $1,000.
Also, 21 faculty and staff members were recognized as meritorious winners and received an award and $100.
Carey Reid Babinec Donna Prince Catherine Beaver Suzanne Brown Dr. Karen St. Claire
B Shepherd
wasn’t
going to join
more than 793 million steps,
equivalent of nearly 400,000 miles.
Duke’s Medical Center logged the
website.
Participants received a digital
pedometer, exercise logbook and
Shape Up highest numbers in each category, Shape Up Duke wristband in Duke
Duke, but once followed by university employees, blue. Participants also received a pass
the fitness Duke Hospital, Durham Regional for up to five free visits to gyms.
competition Hospital and Duke Raleigh Hospital. “We all went beyond what we
ended, he was In addition to the Emergency thought we’d do because we kept
Left to right: Phillip Day, Stephanie glad he did. Department Fat Incinerators, “Keisha’s looking at other teams’ numbers and
Rasmussen, Brian Shepherd, Shannon After more than 200 other teams Hardworkers,” a team from the Health wanted to kick it up a notch,.” said
Hodnett and Stephanie Reese were
among members of the Emergency registered, Shepherd formed his own System’s Transplant Collections Ruth Montague, a lab research analyst
Department Fat Incinerators team.
Not pictured are Melissa Latorra and team with seven co-workers to take department, won the most weight lost in the Biology Department who
Jason Sacayan. part in the 12-week challenge that competition category. Members of formed “Model Systems.”
started in January and concluded April Keisha’s team lost an average 7.2 Model Systems’ eight team members
Shape Up Duke 4. Shepherd lost more than 20 percent of their weight from January. finished fourth in exercise minutes and
Team Winners pounds, feels better than he has in “We couldn’t have asked for more second in pedometer steps by making
years and his team, “Emergency enthusiasm and better results from all small changes to daily routines, like
Weight Loss Department Fat Incinerators,” placed our participants,” said Julie Joyner, walking around French Family Science
1. Keisha’s Hardworkers
first in the exercise minutes and manager for LIVE FOR LIFE, Duke’s Center or climbing stairs.
2. The Healthy Devils
3. The Heavy Breathers pedometer steps categories. employee wellness program that “I’m clearly much healthier, and
“It’s been one of the best things sponsored Shape Up. “Everyone that’s an incentive to stick with my
Exercise Minutes that Duke has ever offered to its should be very proud at taking a fitness program,” said Montague,
1. Emergency Department employees,” said Shepherd, monitor proactive step toward improving their noting improvements in her
Fat Incinerators health and quality of life.” cholesterol and blood pressure.
technician in the Emergency
2. Winter Run Walk
3. The Dream Team Department of Duke Hospital. “Shape As part of Shape Up Duke, “I have more energy, my body has
Up inspired me to get back to working faculty and staff created teams of five changed a bit and my fitness has
Pedometer Steps out full force.” to 11 members to compete in three increased. It’s great.”
1. Emergency Department He wasn’t alone. More than 2,200 categories: weight loss, exercise
Fat Incinerators — By Bryan Roth
faculty and staff across Duke minutes and pedometer steps. Each Writer, Office of Communication Services
2. Model Systems
combined to exercise 3.2 million team participated in one, two or all
3. Rapid Response
Renegades categories and followed team
4
K first fans to get merchandise after the Duke men’s basketball team
won the NCAA National Championship.
Following Duke’s welcome home celebration April 6 in Cameron
than we do on a normal day,” said Tom Craig, merchandise manager for
Duke Stores. “These items will probably be hot commodities through this
summer and even into next fall.”
To help with the increase in stock and sales, Duke
Indoor Stadium, LoBiondo stopped by the Duke University
Store in the Bryan Center to pick up a T-shirt for herself Stores brought in 15 temporary workers to
as well as her dad and sister. She’s not done yet. supplement staff. That was helpful for
“I’ll probably get a few other things like a hat, Stephanie Helms Pickett, who showed up
and I’ve been waiting to get a new Duke license at the Bryan Center store at 10:30 a.m. the
plate cover for my car,” said LoBiondo, an event day after the championship game to buy
coordinator with the Office of Student Affairs T-shirts for herself, her husband and
and Facilities. “Through high school and her pastor.
college, I had a plain Duke license cover “I desired to have a memento
that got bent up, so I’ve been waiting for as a reminder of the team’s
that moment to get a new one, and it’s significant achievement,” said
finally here.” Helms Pickett, director of
LoBiondo isn’t the only one scooping assessment and professional
up Duke basketball gear in the wake of the development programs for
championship. On the day after the game, Duke Student Affairs. “I’m an absolute
Stores estimates that between 20,000 and 22,000 T- basketball fan and bought a shirt for
shirts were sold through stores on campus, online or at myself out of pride and excitement of being a
the welcome home rally. There were 27 versions of part of the Duke community.”
championship T-shirts originally ordered among the With such a strong demand, Craig said he
more than 100 pieces of national champions expects Duke Stores to generate more revenue from
merchandise sold through Duke Stores. selling championship merchandise.
In the first week after the game, more than 52,000 “This has been like graduation, alumni
T-shirts and about 3,000 baseball caps were sold weekend and summer campus tours all rolled
through Duke Stores. Top sellers have been the “Locker into one,” he said. “It’s like our own little
Room” shirts and hats, as worn by the Blue Devils stimulus package.”
immediately after their championship win against
Butler University. More than 12,000 Locker Room — By Bryan Roth
T-shirts were sold in the first week. Writer, Office of Communication Services
The Locker Room T-shirt was worn by Duke after the NCAA championship win.
It costs $20 though Duke Stores on campus or online at dukestores.duke.edu.
PERQS
E M P LOY E E D I S CO U N TS
I more than 7,500 questions from Duke staff, faculty and students
on topics from network connectivity and software to e-mail and
computer viruses.
Now users can check out the numbers behind Duke’s most
utilized IT services as part of a new metrics initiative aimed at
explaining how OIT measures its performance.
“We’ve gotten very good at informing customers about service
outages, but these metrics will give customers a clearer picture of the
other side of the story: the majority of time that our services are up
and running reliably,” said Susan Lynge, OIT’s senior metrics analyst.
Much of the data comes from the OIT Service Desk, which tracks
how quickly calls are answered and how many requests are resolved
with the first call. Customer survey data targets five areas: courtesy, skills
and knowledge, timeliness, response quality and overall experience.
OIT’s goal is to achieve a satisfaction rating of 4.5 or higher
(out of 5) on all survey measures, for example. For the most recent
reporting period, ratings averaged about 4.7.
Maria Maschauer, who responded to a survey, said she was
pleased that OIT was sharing more detailed information about
customer feedback.
“Whether it’s a simple question or a complicated problem, or if
my computer’s just not acting right, they’re always very courteous and
willing to help,” said Maschauer, who works as the visitors and special
events coordinator in Duke’s literature program.
OIT Service Desk Tickets 2009 “When outages happened, we used to say, ‘What are they doing
over there?’ ” she said. “We didn’t understand why or what was going
The OIT Service Desk fielded nearly 91,000 questions from students, faculty and staff in
2009. Service Desk analysts connect with the Duke community by phone, Web, e-mail, a
on. It’s great to have more information now.”
walk-up location at the Link in Perkins Library, and live chat. Immediate, interactive
responses help users navigate the world of NetIDs, e-mail accounts, connectivity, operating — By Cara Bonnett
systems, spyware, viruses, enterprise applications, desktop software and other issues. Managing Editor, News & Information
Source: Office of Information Technology Office of Information Technology
GODUKE.com
Sustainable uke
YO U R S O U R C E F O R G R E E N N E W S AT D U K E
S
One method is through the Green Devil Challenge,
Hill home to Duke isn’t ideal for his carbon which began in January. Participants are asked to accept a
footprint, especially in an SUV. When he crunched variety of actions like taking the Sustainable Duke Pledge,
1,900+
his numbers on Duke’s carbon calculator to find out just which states: “I will consider the environmental, social Completed Duke Carbon
how big his footprint was, he wasn’t happy. and economic impact of my daily decisions and make Calculator
It was more than 4,000 pounds of carbon a year, every effort to reduce my ecological footprint.”
enough to take about a half-acre of pine trees a year to The February challenge invited Duke community
remove his carbon from the atmosphere. members to use the carbon calculator for a detailed report 3,500+
“I’m a numbers guy, and I was curious what my numbers about their emissions and suggestions to reduce their
were and what I could do to make things better,” said Rockart, carbon footprint at Duke. Tips included saving energy January Challenge: Green
an assistant professor in the Fuqua School of Business. “I know through “green computing” like turning off monitors Devil Pledge
what I drive is inefficient over a long distance, but with three when not in use. Future Green Devil Challenges include
kids and carpools, it’s something I need.” using less water during the summer months.
With information from the carbon calculator, a tool “Tools like the carbon calculator make it easier for the 1,100+
to see how much carbon a person emits during a year at Duke community to measure its impact and take action,” said February Challenge: Use
Duke, Rockart is trying to make changes like reusing Tavey McDaniel Capps, Duke’s environmental sustainability Duke’s Carbon Calculator
paper, buying local food from the Duke Farmers Market program director. “It will help us institutionally to reduce our
and working from home instead of driving to work. carbon footprint, since we rely heavily on individual behavior
Rockart is among about 2,000 Duke students, faculty change to help us meet our goal of neutrality.” 600+
and staff who have used the carbon calculator as part of After receiving a “Challenge” e-mail in February, Rich
the university’s ongoing “Green Devil Challenge,” a Kells took the Sustainable Duke Pledge and promised to March Challenge: Use less
monthly grassroots effort led by the Campus reduce his ecological footprint. Kells, assistant director of electricity
Sustainability Committee and Sustainable Duke to the Duke Annual Fund’s Young Alumni Program, said
encourage faculty, staff and students to make changes to that because of the challenge, he plans to occasionally
reduce emissions at Duke. walk or bike about a mile to his office on West Main 450+
As part of the American College & University Street instead of driving to work. April Challenge: Carpool,
Presidents' Climate Commitment, Duke has pledged to “I had thought about doing it before, but going bike or use public
become climate neutral by 2024. That means the online and making a commitment to take the action transportation
university needs to cut or offset roughly 330,000 metric makes it more real, so now I plan on building these
tons of greenhouse gas it produces every year. Students changes into my life,” Kells said. “It’s important to make
and employees are asked to make smarter choices about these changes through collective action because if 100 (Figures through April 1)
energy use, getting to and around campus and disposing Duke employees decide to not drive to work with me, it’s
of waste. going to have an impact.”
— By Bryan Roth
Writer, Office of Communication Services
7
Stay informed about sustainablility at duke.edu/sustainability
WORKING@ DUKE
HOW TO REACH US
Editor: Leanora Minai
dialogue@Duke
(919) 681-4533
leanora.minai@duke.edu “What Duke colleague or unit goes above and beyond
Assistant Vice President: in making a difference at Duke?”
Paul S. Grantham
“
(919) 681-4534
I’d highlight Gary Glass, who works in Counseling and Psychological Services. Gary is so
paul.grantham@duke.edu impressive to me because of his outstanding ability to connect to both students and staff.
He has a calming presence that assists tremendously during critical incidents. He also continually
Graphic Design & Layout: pushes for dialogue about important student issues and provides new knowledge about how to
Paul Figuerado respond to these issues. Finally, he can always be counted on for a warm smile.”
Joe Gonzalez
Photography: Bryan Roth and Marsha Associate dean, Residential Life
Got a
Green, Office of Communication 6 years at Duke
Services, and Duke University
Photography.
“ story
There are so many people – our drivers, meter clerks, sorters
Working@Duke is published monthly and retail section. A great deal of mail gets pushed through
by Duke’s Office of Communication Postal Operations to get where it needs to go. Our groups work as a
Services. We invite your whole unit, so if one section fails, the whole system fails. We all work
idea?
feedback and suggestions for really well together and if someone is out, you don’t even have to say
future story topics. anything because someone will step up and get the extra work done.”
Robyn Johnson
Please write us at Sorting supervisor, Postal Operations
4 years at Duke
working@duke.edu or Write
Working@Duke, Box 90496, working@duke.edu
“
705 Broad St., Durham, NC 27708
I appreciate all the support staff at The Link. There was one
Call us at (919) 684-4345.
time recently when a student lost their data from their or Call
computer, so one of our analysts spent all night with them recovering 681-4533
Send faxes to (919) 681-7926.
the data. They saved the student’s entire semester of work. There’s
also times when registration for classes starts early in the morning,
and we’ve got people on conference calls at 5 a.m. to make sure all
the applications are functioning and then conference calls at 6 and
7 a.m. just to make sure everyone can register for what they want.”
Jason Bischoff
Tech team lead, OIT Service Desk Join the Facebook fan
1 year at Duke page for Working@Duke at
— By Bryan Roth facebook.com/workingatduke
Writer, Office of Communication Services
Family Ties
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 friends, and from her manager at Duke. When you have people who care,
you are willing to push yourself to the limit.”
Watching Her Mom
Gwen Rogers remembers visiting Duke as a child and watching her Four Sisters
mother prepare research specimens in a laboratory. “I would sit by her in the Nancy Terry, a senior program coordinator in the Pulmonary
lab, or walk over to old Baker House with her to collect samples,” Rogers Division, doesn’t have to look far to find her family at Duke.
said. “I got to see so many different professionals at work, and I got to know She and three of her sisters – all with the maiden name Childers –
my mother’s colleagues work within Duke University Medical Center.
real well.” Terry was the first of the family to arrive, accepting a job as an
With fond memories accounting clerk in the Private Diagnostic Clinic in 1973. In the 1980s,
of the work environment, her three younger sisters joined her at Duke.
it was an easy choice for She encouraged her youngest sister, Jane Delionbach, to apply for a
Rogers, then in her 20s, receptionist position in 1983.
to apply to Duke. “I had seen Nancy move up quite a bit in 10 years,” said Delionbach,
“A lot of my family administrative assistant for the vice dean of Finance and Resource
and friends worked for Planning in the School of Medicine. “I knew there was a lot of
Duke,” Rogers said. “I opportunity at Duke.”
wanted to make myself a A few months later, Joan Riddle, the middle sister, signed on as a
Gwen Rogers, left, used Duke’s Employee Tuition Assistance part of that environment.” nurse. And Lou Ann Mitchell, the second-to-youngest, joined Duke in
Program to help pay for her education at North Carolina
She began as an 1984 as a security officer. She is now an administrative assistant in the
Central University. She celebrated graduation with her late
uncle Jasper Harris, right, who passed away in 2009 a few anesthesiology medical Duke Clinical Research Institute.
months after graduation. supply assembler in With nearly 100 years of service among them and experience in more
1988. Over the years, she than 20 departments, the sisters have created a web of Duke contacts.
climbed the ladder to her current position as staff assistant in Women’s “If we don’t know someone in a department, we always seem to know
Studies. “I wanted to exceed – to better myself with each move,” she said. someone who does,” said Riddle, a staff nurse for Duke Women’s Health
That ambition led Rogers to Duke’s Employee Tuition Assistance Associates.
program in 2006. Her dream: become the first person in her immediate Tracy Chelenza, a family friend and Duke employee, said the
family to earn a college degree. Thanks in part to Duke’s tuition program, network is a valuable asset of the sisters’ longevity at Duke. She frequently
her dream came true in 2008 when she graduated with top honors from calls the sisters for names of department contacts. “They can help make
North Carolina Central University with a degree in business information that first contact with someone quicker, less cumbersome,” she said.
technology and a concentration in Information Systems. The sisters never planned on working for the same institution but
Among those in attendance at commencement was her mother, enjoy the close proximity.
Mattie Harris, who retired as a Duke research technician in 2007. “We are all on speed dial,” Delionbach said. “But it is nice to be able
“I was so proud of her for pushing herself, working full time and to pop around and see each other on a break if we need to.”
going to class,” Harris said. “She got a lot of support from family and — By Marsha A. Green
Senior Writer, Office of Communication Services