Duke Centennial Kickoff Finale Photo by Duke University Happy Birthday, Duke! Duke kicked off its yearlong centennial celebration on June 9, 2024, in Cameron Indoor Stadium Comedian and proud alumnus Ken Jeong shares his passion for Duke at the centennial celebration kickoff. Photo by Duke University Read more Ken Jeong and alumna, trustee and former WNBA president Lisa Borders. Photo by Duke University Read more Dancers from Duke's classical and contemporary ballet company Devils en Pointe. Photo by Duke University Read more Duke Student Government President Isaiah Hamilton (middle) and Graduate and Professional Student Government President Keanu Valibia, with alumna Lisa Borders, described Duke as a place to grow, explore and make an impact on the world around them. Photo by Duke University Read more Scholars Felipe De Brigard, center, and Anna Gassman-Pines, right, were celebrated as examples of Duke faculty doing important, cutting-edge work that could only happen in an interdisciplinary environment like Duke. Photo by Duke University Read more Lisa Borders with Dr. Shree Bose M.D./Ph.D. '23, who represented Duke alumni at the event. Photo by Duke University Read more Duke celebrated staff like Barbara Stokes, right, who came to Duke as an undergraduate and held a work-study job as a cook. She never left Duke and is now director of residential dining. Photo by Duke University Read more Lisa Borders with physician-scientist Mary Louise Markert, center, and pediatric cardiac surgeon Joseph Turek, who performed the first combination heart transplant-thymus surgery. Photo by Duke University Read more The Sinnamon family with baby Easton, who is thriving after undergoing the first combination heart transplant-thymus procedure in March 2022 at Duke University Hospital. Photo by Duke University Read more The Duke Blue Devil kept the centennial kickoff crowd energized. Photo by Duke University Read more A chorus made up of members of Duke's many student choral groups performed. Photo by Duke University Read more Former Duke basketball Coach Mike Krzyzewski seemed right at home on the floor of Cameron Indoor Stadium. Photo by Duke University Read more Duke President Vincent E. Price told the crowd: "Today, more than ever before, Duke University is in position to lead in the 21st century." Photo by Duke University Read more Dancers from Duke Dhamaka brought a bit of Bollywood-style pizzazz to the afternoon. Photo by Duke University Read more The Nakisai African Dance Ensemble performed dances influenced by the cultures of the African diaspora. Photo by Duke University Read more Hip-hop dance group Street Medicine put urban-style movement center stage. Photo by Duke University Read more Duke Chinese Dance showed off the creativity and diversity of Chinese culture. Photo by Duke University Read more Duke dancers from a variety of disciplines covered the floor of Cameron Indoor Stadium. Photo by Duke University Read more Representatives from a variety of campus dance groups performed at the kickoff. Photo by Duke University Read more Alexandria Edwards dances with a chorus made up of members of Duke student choral groups and led by Chauntee’ Schuler Irving, assistant professor of the practice of theater studies. Photo by Duke University Read more Duke President Vincent E. Price with students at the centennial celebration kickoff. Photo by Duke University Read more Coach K at center court once again. Photo by Duke University Read more Ken Jeong looked as if he had attended a few practices with the cheerleaders. Photo by Duke University Read more President Vincent Price with Ken Jeong. Photo by Duke University Read more Students had some of the best seats in the house. Photo by Duke University Read more Juncheng Liu, aka Jamie, seemed to represent the excitement of everyone in attendance at the celebration. Liu, a graduate student from Guangzhou, China, is majoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Photo by Shawn Rocco Read more Ken Jeong urged the audience to make some noise in Cameron Indoor Stadium. The crowd obeyed. Photo by Shawn Rocco Read more Alumnus and comedian Ken Jeong and alumna, trustee and former WNBA president Lisa Borders. Photo by Duke University Read more Topics Centennial Share Email Print LinkedIn Facebook X