Meet John Cline of FMD

John Cline gives "middle man" a good name.

When he's not tending to duties as an associate director in Duke's Facilities Management Department (FMD), he's finding ways for FMD staff to help with building and landscaping projects in communities near Duke's campus as a part of the Duke-Durham Neighborhood Partnership.

For his efforts, Cline received the Samuel DuBois Cook Society Community Betterment Award during the awards dinner Feb. 27. Named for the first black faculty member at Duke University, the Cook Society was founded in 1997 to recognize and celebrate African-American presence at Duke.

The Community Betterment Award honors a Duke community member who, in his or her daily activities, contributes to making Duke better by manifesting the values of kindness, fairness, cooperation and respect of others.

"It's nice, and it's also a little awkward because I didn't build a single one of those cabinets," said Cline, who joined Duke in 2000 after retiring from the Environmental Protection Agency. "I didn't put in any of the playground equipment. I didn't do any of this stuff. All I've done is ask people to do this. While I realize somebody's got to ask if you want to get something done, the real work is all done by other people."

The Duke-Durham Neighborhood Partnership began in 1996 with collaborations between the university and 12 neighborhoods near campus. The goal remains improving quality of life by working with residents and school leaders to boost student achievement, increase home ownership, improve opportunities for local youth and promote economic development.

Cline has facilitated upgrades throughout neighborhoods affiliated with the Neighborhood Partnership, including at Carter Community Charter School in Durham. There, FMD staff members built a console for the main office; they repaired doors, walls and floors; they came in on their own time and renovated the boy's restroom with their own materials; and they provided guidance and materials for first-year Duke medical school students who painted the school.

"With John's help, we've been able to develop a better first impression based on what people see when they first enter the building and campus," said Gail Taylor, Carter school principal and executive director. "When all those things happen, not only does it attract more parents, it does a lot for morale."

Cline said he hopes the Cook award will translate to greater participation in the Neighborhood Partnership's aims. "It recognizes there are a group of people out there that are working on these things."