About 350 staff and faculty celebrated 25 to 60 years of service at the annual ‘Night of Duke Stars’
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Vice President for Duke Human Resources Antwan Lofton speaks to Duke staff and faculty gathered at the 2025 Night of Duke Stars celebration. Photo by Brian Mullins Photography
About 350 staff and faculty members recently attended the “Night of Duke Stars” celebration to mark career service milestones at Duke University and Duke University Health System.
The annual event honored the nearly 900 employees who this year are celebrating at least 25 years of service. Included are 14 who have at least 50 years of service and one person who has worked at Duke for 60 years.
“I want you to understand and appreciate how extraordinary that is,” Vice President for Duke Human Resources Antwan Lofton told staff and faculty at the gathering Oct. 9. “The fact that people like you come and invest your careers here is the reason Duke has risen to such prominence so quickly.”
Festivities during the night of celebration at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Durham included remarks from a guest speaker, photo opportunities and dancing to live music by the band Affirmative Groove.
“To say I’m humbled to stand before you doesn’t quite capture the depth of my gratitude,” said Vice President for Finance and Duke’s Treasurer, Rachel Satterfield. “Each of you has contributed to Duke in ways that go far beyond your job descriptions. You’ve shaped our culture, mentored generations and helped build the foundation on which Duke continues to thrive.”
Added Lofton: “You are the heartbeat and lifeblood of this institution, and I am proud to serve alongside you.”
A sampling of photos from the evening, courtesy of Brian Mullins Photography, are below.
Vice President for Duke Human Resources Antwan Lofton speaks at the 2025 Night of Duke Stars gathering.At left, Saundra Daniels, Plan Manager for Duke Benefits.David Stein, Duke Community Affairs’ Senior Education Partnership Coordinator and Duke-Durham School Days Director, jumps for joy.Vice President for Finance and Duke’s Treasurer Rachel L. Satterfield speaks at the Night of Duke Stars.Longtime Duke employees were able to catch up at the event.At right, Dr. Carol Epling, Executive Co-Director of Employee Occupational Health and Wellness.At right, Judy Mickens, Radiology Supervisor, Mammography.Duke staff and faculty who celebrated between 25 and 60 years of service were honored.Professor of Cultural Anthropology Lee Baker.Robin and Joe Pietrantoni Jr., DHTS Application Analyst. Laughter and smiles were common throughout the evening.At right, Alice Bailey, Building Support Services Coordinator, Duke University Medical Center.Longtime colleagues hugged while catching up.Provider Support Associate in Pediatric Nephrology Jayabalan Sundaravelu, left, and Rama Arumugam, a Laboratory Research Analyst I in Psychiatry.At left, Patricia Lester, Development Research Analyst.At left, Dexter Nolley, Chief Human Resources Officer at Duke Regional Hospital.
