Duke in Pictures: Welcoming Valerie Ashby

New Trinity College of Arts & Sciences Dean Valerie Ashby (pictured above) is off to a flying start, said Provost Sally Kornbluth, speaking Wednesday at a reception for the new dean at the Doris Duke Center in Duke Gardens. More than 200 faculty and staff from around Duke came to welcome Ashby.

"I wake up every day being thankful that I'm going to a job that I love," Ashby said, thanking the Trinity staff for helping in the transition.  Ashby, who had been chair of chemistry at UNC-Chapel Hill, began at Duke July 1.

The big hit at the reception was Ashby's mother, Shirley Sheares, who took the microphone after Ashby to join in thanking everyone at Duke for bringing her daughter here.

Below, Sheares and Ashby greet physics Professor Roxanne Springer. Photos by Les Todd/Duke Photography