Upcoming Event: Women's Golf versus ANNIKA Intercollegiate on September 8, 2025
Women's Golf
vs ANNIKA Intercollegiate
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2023 Iron Dukes Scholarship and Endowment Celebration
2/1/2023 2:22:00 PM | Iron Dukes, Athletics
DURHAM – There was a palpable feeling in the air at the JB Duke Hotel Ballroom on Saturday night. It was equal parts immense pride and sincere gratitude with a dash of panache as over 300 Duke student-athletes, coaches and scholarship donors gathered to share an evening of fellowship at the annual Iron Dukes Scholarship & Endowment Celebration. The long-standing event has become a recurring favorite amongst donors, student-athletes and staff alike as it is a striking reminder of the impact of the Duke experience.
The evening began with a lively reception where student-athletes and coaches mingled with the benefactors who have generously provided their scholarships and endowed operational support for the sport programs. The opportunity to say thank you in person was not lost on these incredible young people, while the chance to meet those who they support both on and off the field was greatly appreciated by the donors.
As the dinner bell rang, the party found their seats around circular tables adorned with stunning linens and centerpieces. Thoughtfully placed at each chair was a special gift for attendees - a Duke Blue notebook featuring artwork done by Duke sophomore and co-host of the event, Issy Carey (field hockey), and Duke Athletics Assistant Director of Compliance, Kaitlyn Purdy.
Masterfully emceed by DeWayne Carter (football) and Carey, Saturday evening's dinner program featured four remarkable student-athletes who shared deeply personal stories of their Duke experience and how their athletics scholarship, each kindly donated by someone sitting in the room, has impacted their lives forever. Standing at the raised podium flanked by grand floral arrangements, Gracie Johnson (volleyball) spoke about how her Duke experience far exceeded any expectations she had coming in freshman year and included a touching tribute to the late Greg Dale, while Wilson Stephenson (men's lacrosse) shared a poignant story of how through devastating injury and the genuine care shown to him afterwards he learned the depths of the Duke community.
Shakur Mohammed (men's soccer), recently drafted No. 2 overall to Major League Soccer's Orlando City SC, and Jordyn Oliver (women's basketball), shared prerecorded videos that brought many to tears. Oliver's story is one of personal triumph, overcoming adversity, and learning to fill whatever role is needed for team success. Mohammed reflected on his journey from a small village in Ghana where the next meal was often in question to winning ACC Championships at Duke and now playing soccer professionally by writing a letter to his 10-year-old self.
The evening began with a lively reception where student-athletes and coaches mingled with the benefactors who have generously provided their scholarships and endowed operational support for the sport programs. The opportunity to say thank you in person was not lost on these incredible young people, while the chance to meet those who they support both on and off the field was greatly appreciated by the donors.
"What I love about Duke students is that Duke never feels like you're competing against each other. It feels like you're working together. So, I always love meeting the student-athletes because when they're on the field you don't always get to see all the different parts of their personality…and it's great to make them feel what we feel, which is pride, excitement, and support of what they're doing." – Elizabeth Allin, T'05
As the dinner bell rang, the party found their seats around circular tables adorned with stunning linens and centerpieces. Thoughtfully placed at each chair was a special gift for attendees - a Duke Blue notebook featuring artwork done by Duke sophomore and co-host of the event, Issy Carey (field hockey), and Duke Athletics Assistant Director of Compliance, Kaitlyn Purdy.
Masterfully emceed by DeWayne Carter (football) and Carey, Saturday evening's dinner program featured four remarkable student-athletes who shared deeply personal stories of their Duke experience and how their athletics scholarship, each kindly donated by someone sitting in the room, has impacted their lives forever. Standing at the raised podium flanked by grand floral arrangements, Gracie Johnson (volleyball) spoke about how her Duke experience far exceeded any expectations she had coming in freshman year and included a touching tribute to the late Greg Dale, while Wilson Stephenson (men's lacrosse) shared a poignant story of how through devastating injury and the genuine care shown to him afterwards he learned the depths of the Duke community.
"Duke teams' successes are built from the power of our relationships that we have with one another. These relationships give us hope, power and inspiration to reach new highs and accomplish daunting goals that we would have never imagined alone." – Wilson Stephenson, Men's Lacrosse
Shakur Mohammed (men's soccer), recently drafted No. 2 overall to Major League Soccer's Orlando City SC, and Jordyn Oliver (women's basketball), shared prerecorded videos that brought many to tears. Oliver's story is one of personal triumph, overcoming adversity, and learning to fill whatever role is needed for team success. Mohammed reflected on his journey from a small village in Ghana where the next meal was often in question to winning ACC Championships at Duke and now playing soccer professionally by writing a letter to his 10-year-old self.
"I would tell him to dream beyond his imaginations… I would let him know that he would get the best education on the planet and that he would be blessed with wonderful opportunities and resources. And, in addition, I would let him know that there would be some hidden heroes called the Iron Dukes behind all the success and happiness that he would attain at Duke…By supporting me, you are supporting millions of kids that will be inspired and touched by my journey." – Shakur Mohammed, Men's Soccer
The evening concluded with a few words from Duke's Deputy Director of Athletics for Development and former football student-athlete, Troy Austin, T'00. He credited his scholarship benefactor from his playing days with inspiring him to pursue a career through which he could give back to other student-athletes and profusely thanked all who are generously providing opportunities to current and future Blue Devils. Over 400 Duke student-athletes receive athletic scholarship aid and all of Duke's 27 varsity sports benefit from endowment support. These gifts afford young people from all over the world the opportunity to learn, compete, develop and achieve at the highest levels, while leaving a legacy for generations to come.
For more information on the Iron Dukes and ways to support Duke student-athletes, visit goduke.com/irondukes or call 919-613-7575.
#GoDuke
For more information on the Iron Dukes and ways to support Duke student-athletes, visit goduke.com/irondukes or call 919-613-7575.
#GoDuke
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