U.S. Surgeon General To Speak at Duke on Building Personal Connections
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US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy will join Kate Bowler and Jon Scheyer for a discussion about his work of encouraging people, particularly college students, to make connecting with others a priority in their lives.
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy will speak at Duke University on Wednesday, Oct. 25, the first stop on his national tour aimed at encouraging people to connect to others, especially college students.
The “We Are Made to Connect” Tour event takes place at 6 p.m. in Page Auditorium on Duke’s West Campus. Tickets are required for the free, public event and available at the Duke University Box Office and online. Paid parking is available in the Bryan Student Center garage on Science Drive.
Kate Bowler, associate professor of American religious history, will moderate a discussion with Murthy and Duke men’s basketball coach Jon Scheyer. The event will be recorded for Bowler’s podcast, “Everything Happens.”
The three will discuss strategies to address loneliness, encouraging audience members and others to reach out to one another, strengthen their relationships and, ultimately, build more connection in their daily lives. The event is organized to be a fun, interactive experience.
He noted that loneliness is a growing problem across the country, especially among college-aged students. Recent studies show that rates of loneliness among young adults have increased every year between 1976 and 2019, and in 2021, young adults were almost twice as likely to report feeling lonely as those over the age of 65.
“Loneliness is far more than just a bad feeling -- it harms both individual and societal health,” Murthy said in his advisory, detailing the healing effects of social connection. “It is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety and premature death..”
MTV and Active Minds will host an ASKtivation on the BC Plaza from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, to help Duke community members learn new ideas on how to support friends, family and colleagues.
The event will feature DIY friendship bracelet-making station, giveaways and a photo op with the A.S.K. art installation.
The event is sponsored by the Duke’s Offices of Student Affairs and Government Relations.
