If move-in day was an Olympic sport for Duke administrators, President Vincent Price and Gary Bennett, the dean of Trinity College Arts and Sciences, were early medal contenders.
But then, Price, in a white Polo shirt and gray cargo shorts, soon distinguished himself.
“Welcome to Duke!” Price shouted confidently into a nearby camera.
Price momentarily faltered while negotiating with a blue duffel that slid from his grip onto the sidewalk. Undeterred, the president hoisted the bag on his shoulder and walked triumphantly to a student dorm room.
“It was very heavy,” Price said of the duffel bag challenge. “The straps aren’t up to the job. They pack as much as they can fit into it. It’s happened a couple of times.”
Minutes later, Price, while a small group of fellow administrators watched in silent admiration (or consternation), picked up a black mini fridge, waved away any assistance and carried the thing by himself, earning a gold medal.
The coup de grace happened just moments later when Prince, er, Price stopped and played a mean air guitar on an instrument tucked inside a canvas case.
The silver medal went to Mary Pat McMahon, the vice provost and vice president of student affairs whose can-do attitude was a marvel.
Ed Balleisen, a professor of history and vice provost of interdisciplinary studies, earned a bronze with his unwavering consistency that carried the day (and more than a few move-in items).
