Advocating for Duke in the District of Columbia
Melissa Vetterkind keeps a finger on the pulse of legislative affairs
Name: Melissa Vetterkind
Position: Director of the Office of Federal Relations
Years at Duke: 10
What I do at Duke: I help the office represent the interests of the university in legislative and regulatory matters in Washington, D.C. We advocate for the university, and we also seek to connect faculty with policy makers. I focus mostly on tracking research issues -from federal funding for science agencies to technology transfer issues and intellectual property. I visit D.C. about twice a month, and when I'm there I get to take advantage of the new Washington Office.
To start a conversation with me: Ask me about food. I enjoy eating out or making food at home. I have a Polish background and recently I've been recreating some of the recipes I grew up with. I made my first attempt at homemade pierogies (Polish dumplings), including making my own cheese to go inside, and they were pretty good.
If I had $5 million, I would: Buy a farm. I grew up on a farm in Wisconsin with pigs and chickens and steers and other farm animals. I have a secret desire to get back to that lifestyle. I'd also start a non-profit dedicated to childhood hunger. I know I'm lucky to have food on the table and would like to help children out there who aren't as fortunate.
My first job: I delivered newspapers in grade school in my home town of Thorp, Wisconsin.
My dream job: If I could do anything I would want to be a photographer and travel the world to capture life's moments, big and small.
What I love about Duke: The energy, creativity and innovation that permeate the campus, from faculty and researchers to students. It is addictive. It keeps me energized because I'm always telling folks in Washington about what is going on.
When I'm not at work, I like to: Spend time with my 4-year-old son, Liam. We are usually outdoors at a park, the beach or in the woods.
The book I'm reading right now: "Personal History" by Katharine Graham, the former publisher of The Washington Post.
If I could have one superpower, it would be: The ability to fly. I have a slight fear of flying in airplanes. Perhaps if I could actually fly that fear would go away.
Something most people don't know about me: In high school, my summer job was weeding ginseng fields. Wisconsin is the top producer of ginseng in the U.S.
Something unique in my office: I have an autographed baseball from Sammy Sosa, from the Cubs, from 1998 when he won the Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player award. He was a guest of the First Lady at the State of the Union address, and my former boss in Congress had an office where the guests waited before going into the chamber. I not only got an autographed baseball for myself, I also got one for my grandfather.