'Duke Appreciation' Events Recognize Employees

In May, Duke faculty and staff can enjoy music, magicians, massages and more during the month-long celebration, Duke Appreciation.

The marquee event, "Music on the Quad" on May 18, is one of several special activities that help recognize nearly 34,000 faculty and staff at Duke. During the month, local restaurants will offer discounts, Duke Chapel will honor employees at a Sunday service, the Durham Bulls will host special Duke Family Nights and the Duke Lemur Center will offer special $5 "Lemur Live" tours.

Read More

This year's Music on the Quad features live jazz, reggae and soul music by the Tim Smith Band. The event runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and includes free ice cream bars and other refreshments such as fruit, soft pretzels and funnel cake. Entertainment will include a magician and caricaturist. LIVE FOR LIFE, Duke's employee wellness program, will offer free chair massages and demonstrations of Zumba and Tai Chi.

"We hope that employees faculty and staff will take the opportunity to celebrate with their colleagues by attending Music on the Quad or one of the other events as a group," said Denise Evans, executive director of Staff and Labor Relations and Staff and Family Programs at Duke.

In addition to attending events together, colleagues can show appreciation for co-workers by writing a note of appreciation on the "Making A Difference" blog or picking up a treat at the Duke Farmers Market and personalizing it with a free "Market-Gram" bookmark from LIVE FOR LIFE. The Market-Grams feature sayings like "Working with you is sweet" and "You're a peach."

The month of activities also includes the annual invitation-only Night of Duke Stars to honor staff and faculty celebrating career milestones of 10 or more years. "It has been fun to be involved in the celebrations over the years," said Alonzo Felder, an IT analyst for the Duke Global Health Institute who was featured as a Duke Star when he celebrated 25 years of service at Duke. "It is a nice way for Duke to validate the hard work employees do and to say, `thanks.'"

Kyle Cavanaugh, vice president for administration, said that every employee at Duke deserves thanks for their efforts this year.

"Every day, this massive and complex place called Duke runs smoothly because of the work of thousands of employees who live out our principles," he said. "It's especially impressive to me that even during these financially challenging times, employees haven't just hunkered down. Instead, they have found ways to preserve the legacy of Duke and prepare for an even brighter future. That reflects well on the character of our community." 

Duke Appreciation Events

Duke Family Nights, Durham Bulls Athletic Park

May 1-6, 14-17 & 20-22Duke employees with a valid DukeCard may buy discounted tickets to Durham Bulls baseball games on a first-come, first served basis. Visit the Durham Bulls Will-Call center at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park or call (919) 956-BULL.

Lemurs Live Tour (Updated 5/11: Tickets are sold out for the discount tours)

May 4 at 2:30 p.m., May 19 at 1 p.m.The Duke Lemur Center is offering its "Lemur Live Tours" for $5 per employee during May. Call (919) 401-7240 to schedule the tour. Space is limited and filled first-come, first-served.

MARKET-GRAMS, Duke Farmers Market

May 4, 11, 18 & 25Visit the market on Fridays, purchase a healthy snack for a colleague and personalize it with a free bookmark

Music on the Quad

May 18, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.Bring lunch and join colleagues to enjoy music by the Tim Smith Band, magic, massage and more. There will be ice cream (and other refreshments). (Rain date: May 21)

Duke Night Out at Local Restaurants 

All MonthMany local restaurants are offering 20 percent discounts on the entire bill or half-price for second entrees on select days in May. View full list or calendar online.

Visit the Human Resources website for a full list of Duke Appreciation activities.