In 1901 Trinity College officially honored its benefactors with Benefactors’ Day. In 1926, the day became known as Duke University Day, and in 1948, it evolved to be called Founders’ Day. As Duke celebrates its centennial, the weekend surrounding Founders’ Day took on special significance. The weekend was filled with events including a concert, football victory over UNC, and a building dedicated in honor of two past employees.

The Duke Divinity community joined the celebrations, from recognizing alumni to contributing to a special Founders’ Service in Duke Chapel. Divinity alumnus and emeritus professor William C. Turner Jr. was presented with the University Medal, the highest honor bestowed by Duke University.

University Medalists
 

Robert Califf, William Turner, Vincent Price, and Fred Stanback stand in front of banner with portrait of James B. Duke. Calliff, Turner, and Stanback wear medals on blue velvet ribbon.
Robert Califf, William Turner, Vincent Price, and Fred Stanback at the ceremony bestowing the University Medals. (Photo by Bill Snead)

Founders’ Weekend provides an opportunity to reflect on the school’s history and recognize the leadership, contributions and impact students, faculty, administrators, staff, trustees and alumni have made over the past 100 years. As part of this tradition, each year the University Medals for Distinguished Meritorious Service are awarded to members of the Duke community in recognition of their role in the growth and success of the university.

The 2024 University Medals for Distinguished Meritorious Service, Duke’s highest honor, were awarded to alumni Robert Califf, Fred Stanback, and William Turner Jr.

 

“I am delighted to present this year’s University Medals to Robert Califf, Fred Stanback and William Turner. They have each played a significant role in Duke’s growth and success, and I look forward to recognizing their many contributions." 

Vincent E. Price, President of Duke University

Since his days as a Duke student, when he made history in 1966 as one of the first two Black student-athletes to join the Duke football team, William “Bill” Turner Jr. has been a prominent campus civil rights leader, advocate, and educator dedicated to improving the experiences of Black students.

On April 4, 1968, Turner learned of the assassination of civil rights icon the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while returning to his residence hall from a physics exam. In response, Duke students organized what became known as the Silent Vigil. In the coming days, Turner joined the more than 1,400 fellow students who camped in front of Duke Chapel as they advocated for more attention to issues affecting the Black community, including better pay for Duke’s hourly employees.

In total, Turner would spend more than 50 years at Duke, earning a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, master’s in divinity, and doctorate in religion. He served the university as assistant provost and dean of Black affairs, acting director of the African and African American Studies Department and director of the Office of Black Church Affairs.

Turner taught theology and homiletics at Duke Divinity School and was the James T. and Alice Mead Cleland Professor of the Practice of Preaching at the time of his retirement in 2018. He is married to Joyce Rivers, and together they are the proud parents of four adult children and six grandchildren. Turner has served several churches in North Carolina, and he continues to pastor Mount Level Missionary Baptist Church in Durham.

Turner standing at clear lecturn smiling during remarks, president Vincent Price stands off to the side looking at Turner

Turner delivered remarks at the ceremony after receiving the University Medal. "I just want to do a little good, for the little time I have, in hopes someone will give a little thanks."

Turner standing surrounded by his wife and 12 members of his extended family.

Turner's wife, Joyce Rivers (front row, left), and other family members including his children and grandchildren joined him at the awards ceremony for the University Medal.

Founders' Day Sunday Service

A festive worship service was held during homecoming weekend to celebrate the founding of Duke University with its historic motto, Eruditio et Religio ("Knowledge and Religion"), and deep roots of faith. Leaders from The Duke Endowment, Duke Divinity School, Duke Chapel, and the broader university were joined by representatives from the Duke family, the Duke Chapel Choir, the Durham Children's Choir, the Amalgam Brass, pianist and vocalist Patrice Turner, bassist John V. Brown, and others to lift their voices in prayer and song. 

Chapel Dean Luke A. Powery delivered the sermon, and Duke Divinity Dean Edgardo Colón-Emeric served as a worship minister alongside the two United Methodist bishops in North Carolina, Bishop Ken Carter from the Western North Carolina Annual Conference and Bishop Connie Shelton from the North Carolina Annual Conference.

Divinity Alumni Receive Duke Awards

The Duke University Alumni Board of Directors presents awards to alumni representing the undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools who embody the spirit of Forever Duke and advance the Duke ideal of “knowledge in service to society.” In 2024, the award winners were honored during the Centennial Homecoming Awards Ceremony on September 28, 2024. 

Brandon Williams B.A. ’06, M.Div. ’13—Beyond Duke Service and Leadership Award
Inaugurated in 2014 to recognize alumni who have distinguished themselves through
service to their community, ot their country, or to society at large. Beyond Duke awards are given in three categories: local community, global community, and young alumni. Williams has worked in community building in Durham, N.C., for over a decade, and is currently a director at Frontline Solutions.

Donna Claycomb-Sokol M.Div. ’00—Forever Duke Award / Individual

The Forever Duke award recognizes alumni for excellent recent volunteer service to Duke, Duke Alumni, and other alumni groups. Claycomb-Sokol serves on the Divinity School Board of Visitors, in addition to service on other committees to support the Divinity Annual Fund and alumni engagement. She is the pastor of Mount Vernon UMC in Washington, D.C.

Hope Morgan Ward B.A. ’73, M.Div. ’78—Forever Duke Award / Group

The Forever Duke award for a group recognizes Ward for her service as the Duke Class of 1973 Reunion Co-Chair. Ward, a bishop of the United Methodist Church for the North Carolina Conference from 2012 to 2021, has an extensive record of service and support for Duke. Currently a member of the university Board of Trustees, Ward has also served on the Duke Divinity Alumni Board of Directors (1997–2001) and the Divinity Board of Visitors (2002–2008).

Duke provost Alec Gallimore stands on the football field with 7 Duke deans wearing duke blue T-shirts
Divinity Dean Edgardo Colón-Emeric (fourth from left) joins Duke University provost Alec Gallimore (far left) and six other Duke deans to celebrate the centennial homecoming during the Duke-UNC football game. (Photo by Sarah Fetters)