A Tradition Of Saying Thanks

Enjoy carnival rides and bingo tents on Duke's campus. Run a 5K. Or dine on barbecue as you listen to live music on the quad.

These activities are some highlights of this year's Duke Appreciation Week, which begins May 20 and ends May 25 with a Durham Bulls baseball game honoring employees celebrating a career service milestone of 10 years or more.

"This is Duke's opportunity to stop and say thank you to the outstanding faculty and staff at Duke," said Mindy Kornberg, assistant vice president of Human Resources, which organizes the event.

Saturday, May 20 9 a.m. Duke Family Fun Run/Walk, Toddler Trot and Baby Run Al Buehler Trail circling the Washington Duke Golf Course

9 a.m.-2 p.m. Duke Children's Classic Duke University Golf Club

11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Family Fun Day Wannamaker Field, enter from Towerview Dr. Your Duke ID is required.

Sunday, May 21 11 a.m. Duke Chapel Service Dedicated to Duke faculty and staff

Monday, May 22 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Lunch on the Quad West Campus

11 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Third Shift Kick-off Duke North Cafeteria

Duke Health Raleigh Hospital Employee Anniversary Reception By invitation only for employees celebrating career service milestones

Tuesday, May 23 Duke Health Raleigh Hospital Employee Picnic First Shift -- 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (DHRH Campus) Second Shift -- 5 p.m.-7 p.m. (DHRH Campus) Third Shift -- 10:30 p.m.-Midnight (DHRH Cafeteria)

Wednesday, May 24 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Duke Night Out at Local Restaurants Buy one dinner, get the second for half price. Reservations encouraged. Your Duke ID is required.

Thursday, May 25 Night of Duke Stars By invitation only for employees celebrating career service milestones

"The success of the institution is a direct result of the time and dedication of those who work here. Employees should be recognized for their individual achievements throughout the year, but Duke Appreciation Week is the time we bring the entire Duke community together to celebrate our accomplishments and enjoy each other's company."

Kornberg said Duke's reputation as a premier institution in the nation for education, research and patient care is dependent on the people who invest their careers here. Each year, Duke dedicates a week to recognize faculty and staff for their contributions and commitment to the university and health system.

Over the years, Duke has acknowledged the dedication and commitment of faculty and staff through career service banquets and gatherings on the quad, but attendance at these events was often low. With the founding of Duke University Health System in 1998, Duke's workforce was growing and changing, and Kornberg said that it was a good time to reconsider the way Duke showed appreciation to all of its employees. In 1999, the celebration was transformed into a full week of events such as the ones offered now.

"As part of the changes, we also wanted to incorporate more opportunities to show appreciation for the family members of faculty and staff," Kornberg said. "Our families support us so we can do our jobs well, and we wanted to include them in this celebration as part of our extended Duke family."

The events of Duke Appreciation Week (see calendar of events on opposite page) are free and open to eligible Duke faculty and staff. Family members are invited to attend the Duke Family Fun Run/Walk and Family Fun Day which kicks off the week of events on Saturday, May 20.

Yolanda Gaskins, project manager for renovations in Facilities Management, has attended Duke Appreciation Week since she started working for Duke in 2002. She enjoys all of the activities held throughout the week. Duke's effort to include her family in the festivities is what makes her feel good about working here.

"Family Fun Day is a great opportunity to spend time with other employees and our families in a fun atmosphere," Gaskins said. "While we are at work, our focus is on our job responsibilities. But Duke Appreciation Week gives us a chance to get to know more about each other's lives outside of work. Duke Appreciation Week not only demonstrates Duke's appreciation for my efforts, but it shows they care about my family as well."

Kornberg hopes faculty and staff come out and enjoy the festivities with colleagues and family.

"The events are about fellowship and conversation," she said. "It takes all of us to drive the success of Duke"