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Fueling Durham’s Ambitions

Sam Miglarese is Duke’s liaison to Durham neighborhoods and nonprofits

Sam Miglarese, far left, regularly works with Durham nonprofits. Here, he is participating in a Durham Habitat for Humanity event. Photo courtesy of the Habitat for Humanity of Durham
Sam Miglarese, far left, regularly works with Durham nonprofits. Here, he is participating in a Durham Habitat for Humanity event. Photo courtesy of the Habitat for Humanity of Durham

Name: Sam MiglaresePosition: Director of community engagement and director of the Duke-Durham Neighborhood Partnership, Duke Office of Durham and Regional AffairsYears at Duke: 16What I do at Duke: Build relationships, to make sure that any student initiatives or research opportunities or even corporate gift giving is processed in a way where people in the community can have ownership. Unless the people in the community are working with you with a sense of ownership and a really developed sense of voice for all these new ideas and initiatives and projects, you will fail. (Miglarese received a 2012 Meritorious Service Award, which recognized his involvement in strengthening connections between Duke and Durham.)If I had $5 million, I would: Invest a substantial portion of it, primarily through a donor-advised fund through the Triangle Community Foundation which would allow me the privilege of supporting faith-based organizations, nonprofits and favorite university niches, like the Libraries. The best advice I ever received: A colleague of mine reminded me of the very important aphorism, ‘It all depends on whose ox is being gored.’ That means you have to put yourself in other people’s shoes. You could be against something until you’re in that position.What I love about Duke: the students. One of the neat features of our work is that within the Duke-Durham Neighborhood Partnership, we’ve been able to connect to the Sanford School of Public Policy, the Program in Education, DukeEngage, Student Affairs, and a variety of other Duke schools and departments. We’re able to process all the energy and idealism of our Duke students who want to contribute to and be part of the community in which they live. Something most people don’t know about me is: I’m a published author through the Religious Studies department, and the book is “The Long Shadow of Vatican II.” I’m an amateur radio operator, K4FPL (his call sign). I love all things intercollegiate sports. I’ve been to every sport on campus at least once, except for wrestling, women’s rowing and golf. That’s on my to-do list. I was the chaplain to the Corps of Cadets  in the 1980s at The Citadel, the military college of South Carolina. My dream job: I would like to retire and stay active in the field of religious studies.My first ever job: Religious education summer camp in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, near Bluffton. I was a counselor and responsible for water safety. An interesting/memorable day at work for me: In 2002 when we did a KaBOOM! build (in Lyon Park). It’s a nonprofit that provides the building of a playground for elementary school kids in one day. When the day finally arrived, we had Duke students, we had North Carolina Central University athletes, our sponsors, one of whom was NASCAR, KaBOOM! and Home Depot, and we all gathered in February and it snowed. It was cold, wet, messy, but we were determined no matter what the weather, we were going to do the build. A book I like: I’m a member of the Thomas Wolfe Society. I collect first-edition works of Thomas Wolfe. What a fascinating character he is.