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Duke’s Gatekeeper of Grades

Bruce Cunningham oversees a variety of records as Duke's registrar

Bruce Cunningham poses during a Duke lacrosse game. Cunningham is an avid Duke sports fan and he also roots for the Buffalo Bills. Photo courtesy of Bruce Cunningham.
Bruce Cunningham poses during a Duke lacrosse game. Cunningham is an avid Duke sports fan and he also roots for the Buffalo Bills. Photo courtesy of Bruce Cunningham.

Name: Bruce CunninghamPosition: Assistant vice provost and university registrarYears at Duke: 17

What I do at Duke: My department manages the registration, course scheduling and records processes for all schools at the university except the School of Medicine. We also record grades and keep academic records of students from the moment they matriculate to after they leave Duke. We have academic records for everyone who's ever been here, going back to the 1930s. Older records are kept in the University Archives.

If I had $5 million, I would: Give a bunch to my daughters so they can pay off loans and things like that. I wouldn't want to change my lifestyle too much, but I'd pay off my mortgage, buy a house at the beach and give some money to charities. I like having a laidback lifestyle.

My first ever job: Working on a maintenance staff at my high school in Youngstown, New York during the summer of my junior and senior years of high school and freshman year of college. It could be a gritty job. I remember crawling under buildings as rats scurried by, but we did a lot of grass cutting and trimming and sealing asphalt parking lots.

My dream job: To be a keyboard player in a band. I've always been fascinated with them. I've sung my whole life, but I never learned any musical instruments. I think it would be fun to play in a bluegrass or progressive rock band.

If someone wanted to start a conversation with me they should ask me about: Sports or politics, both of which I get fairly passionate about, although neither of which might lead to a healthy conversation. When it comes to sports, I'm passionate about Duke, the Buffalo Bills and anything to do with soccer.

The best advice I ever received: The "Golden Rule" - treat others how you wish to be treated.

What I love about Duke: Campus is beautiful, I enjoy all the sports and students are very friendly and engaging. I love talking to them and getting to know them better.

When I'm not at work, I like to: Ride my bike on the American Tobacco Trail. I also read a lot of nonfiction books on politics and biographies. Both my daughters live in Charleston, South Carolina, so I love traveling there to see my grandson.

If I could have one superpower, it would be: Flying. Not only could you get from one place to another quickly, you could see a lot in the process. I don't like heights, but if I could get over that, I think flying would be pretty cool.

Something most people don't know about me: I got a blue ribbon for baking banana nut bread for the New York State Fair when I was in high school. I have no idea what made it so good, but my mother was a good baker and she taught me how to do it. I was in the 4-H club, which is why I entered.