Get Your Office's Star Performer in the Spotlight

For the second year, Working@Duke hopes to provide a memorable Duke experience for one lucky faculty or staff member.

From Aug. 26 through Sept. 9, we're accepting nominations for Duke football's honorary employee captain to highlight a Duke employee who goes above and beyond while showing qualities of respect, teamwork and other aspects of Duke's guiding principles. With your help, the off-the-field talents of a faculty or staff member could get him or her on the field during the Blue Devil's Employee Kickoff Celebration football game against Troy University Sept. 28.

As part of the recognition, the faculty or staff member will experience Duke football from a player's perspective the week of the game. While the honorary captain won't suit up for the game, a randomly selected winner will join the Blue Devils for team activities, including:

• Participating with head coach David Cutcliffe during a weekly press luncheon.
• Running onto the field at Wallace Wade Stadium with the football team before kickoff.
• Watching the game against Troy University from the sidelines or sitting with fans in the stands.
• Recording a video with Cutcliffe to broadcast during the game.

Last year's honorary captain, Malinda Whitson, said her experience was special because she and her son, Drew, received VIP treatment.

"We got to go places I've never seen before like the press box and the team's weight training and physical therapy areas," said Whitson, regional development director with University Development. "We were on the field right at the 20-yard line, and it was so exciting to feel the crowd's energy when they cheered at the players."

Faculty and staff can nominate coworkers by filing out an online form. Nominators are encouraged to share details about why their nominee's performance in the office, classroom or lab should be recognized on the field as an honorary captain. Nominations are due by Sept. 9.