I stepped onto Duke’s campus from a high school that was average at best. I had to catch up to my peers from elite high schools … and I did. However, it was not easy, especially as a chemistry major with lots of labs and a work-study program to help pay for books and tuition.
This experience of needing to “catch up from behind” was completely foreign to me. It turned out to be more than just an experience but rather part of education at Duke. I quickly learned that no matter where I am in the race, I can still finish first by remaining confident and working harder and smarter than I ever thought I could.
I also benefited from a tremendous support group in the chemistry department during my freshman year. These people became more than just friends – they were like family. I loved the atmosphere so much that I stayed at Duke for more than eight years in total until I earned my Ph.D.
Combining grit and intelligence to yield excellence is the same recipe that I applied in business for many years after. These were key ingredients to my success as an entrepreneur. My thanks go to Duke.
Even with the academic achievements in science, no doubt the most valuable thing I got from Duke was the friends I made for life. Something about the culture at Duke creates a camaraderie among the students almost immediately from freshman year. By the time you are an upperclassman, relationships are cemented in a way that is hard to explain unless you are a Dukie.
I share being a Blue Devil with my wife, several of my best friends, my business partners and my oldest daughter – each a critical part of my life. To Duke, I am forever grateful.