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Blue Devils Return

Celebrating being together again

By Duke University

August 23^rd, 2021

After a long eighteen months of distancing and hybrid learning, Duke University students returned to campus for a celebration to kick off the new academic year.

The muggy heat of August and the masking precautions did little to hamper a night of excitement and celebration of being together. Hosted by Student Affairs, the Blue Devil Return event marked an important moment in Duke’s history and provided a reminder to all in attendance of what Duke is about—community.

Making Up for Lost Time

The 2024 class photo kicked off the event, completing a tradition for the class who was unable to capture their photo last year. Beginning in 2006 for the class of 2010, the class photo is typically done on East Campus with the first-year students shortly after move in. The Class Photo has become an important tradition for incoming students but the circumstances of COVID in 2020 prohibited the gathering of students on campus and many students chose to defer or remain at home for remote learning. Returning to campus early this year, the Class of 2024 came together to create their own iconic photo and celebrate one of the few times the class will be together as one until they meet again in three years at commencement.

Members of the Class of 2024 climb the steps in front of Duke Chapel to line up for their class photo

“It was a hard year not getting to socialize with people. The fact that we all got through it and we're here right now all together is strong.”

– Lily Root, Class of 2024

Members of the Class of 2024 embrace and pose for a photo

A group of students stops to take a photo after getting their blue Duke shirts on

Students lean in and pose for a photo while waiting for the class photo

Students leaping for a jump shot in front of Duke Chapel

Four members of the Class of 2024 stop and smile for the camera

A group poses for the camera with their Blue Devil horns and Duke shirts on

Words of Wisdom

The lineup for the class of 2024 included a star-studded cast sharing words of excitement and encouragement for the year ahead. Seniors Grant LoPresti and Natalie Ezem emceed the event and introduced a cast of Duke administrators including University President Vincent Price; Mary Pat McMahon, vice provost and vice president for student affairs; Gary Bennett, vice provost for undergraduate education; Duke men’s basketball associate head coach Jon Scheyer and Duke football head coach David Cutcliffe, who has led the students through the last decade of class photos.

Seniors Grant LoPresti and Natalie Ezem up on stage hyping up the crowd and introducing the speakers

“We know you guys have been through a year unlike any other and we are just thrilled to see you.”

– Gary Bennett, vice provost for undergraduate education

“Thank you for being here. We're super proud of you and we think you are absolutely amazing!”

– Mary Pat McMahon, vice provost and vice president for Student Affairs

Mary Pat McMahon and Gary Bennett deliver some kind words while on stage with their children

“As we walked on campus and seeing you all out here made me so happy. I can tell you we missed you guys big time in Cameron last year.”

– Jon Scheyer, associate head coach and next head coach of Duke men’s basketball

Jon Scheyer on stage addressing the Class of 2024

“It is so great to have you out here. Yours is a class that made history. You're making history today. You're not wearing the same shirts we usually wear. You're lined up in front of this incredible Chapel. You've waited a year for this moment. And this is a moment delayed, not denied.”

– President Vincent E. Price

President Vincent Price holds on stage while delivering some words of wisdom to the Class of 2024 in front of Duke Chapel

“We’re really appreciative of you guys coming in a year ago under the most unusual circumstances any class has ever entered Duke University and you did it so well.”

– David Cutcliffe, Head Coach, Duke Football

Coach Cutcliffe on stage with the James B. Duke statue standing behind him

Ready for Their Close-Up

As sophomores, the Class of 2024 broke from tradition to have their photo taken on West Campus instead of East. They wore blue shirts instead of white. And, although Duke Chapel lends its presence as a picturesque backdrop, its symbolism in the heart of campus couldn’t be missed by those in attendance.

The Class of 2024 practices their timed jumps with Coach Cutcliffe before the photo is taken

Students waive their arms in the air getting pumped up for the class photo

More members of the Class of 2024 practice their timed jumps with Coach Cutcliffe before the photo is taken

More students waiving their arms as the class photo moment approaches

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO GET YOUR CLASS PHOTO?

“It finally means that we have community and we get to be a real member of Duke. It's so exciting.”

– Sami Meyers, Class of 2024

The iconic, and unique, 2024 class photo

DOWNLOAD THE PHOTO

The Anthem

In 2006 then band director Jeff Au introduced a new song to the band’s performance. Cascada’s “Every Time We Touch” was played during the 2006/2007 Duke basketball season and has since been adopted as an unofficial anthem among the students. “It’s our song!” exclaimed a student upon hearing the first notes at the end of the photo.

The FACs (First-Year Advisory Counselors) took to the sidewalks to lead students through the dance moves.

The FACs dance with the sophmores in front of Duke Chapel as confetti settles on the ground

Students scream with excitement as confetti falls and the music plays

Other students pause to take a photo while the confetti drifts toward the ground behind them

A torrent of confetti covers members of the Class of 2024 as they take selfies

The students take selfies with the confetti, Duke Chapel and their classmates

A student gathers confetti from the ground and tosses it back in the air

Two students sit in the confetti on the grass and smile for a photo

Another student makes a confetti angel in the grass

ALL the Blue Devils Return

Though the Class of 2024 kicked off the event with their photo, the Blue Devil Return event culminated in ALL students turning out for celebration of being together. The atmosphere was positive and upbeat. Laughter and hugs were shared by all. Even though the concern of COVID remained, for the first time in what seemed like forever, the heartbeat of campus life could be felt.

Friends greet each other as the celebration begins on Abele Quad

Fun, games and food fill the quad right in the middle of West Campus

Friends stand on the stage and embrace behind large letters spelling out, “DUKE”

President Price, Annette Price and their dogs pose for photos with members of the Class of 2024 after the confetti has settled

Friends pose for a photo during the celebration

Dean Sue talks with students at the celebration

People play a game of life-sized chess on Abele Quad

Students were excited to test their strength on the “climbing wall”

Students sport their light-up Blue Devil horns as the sun starts to set

Counting Down the New School Year

The culmination of the Blue Devil Return event was the entire party counting down to a fireworks display in the heart of campus. As the students counted down the last seconds before the show, a faint “Happy New Year” was heard. For all students arriving on campus for Fall 2021, it was the kickoff to a happy new year, indeed.

As it got dark, students put on their light-up Blue Devil horns and got ready for the fireworks

Students stand in the heart of campus watching the fireworks display

Looking down Chapel Drive, the fireworks lit up the sky with Duke Chapel in the background

Students taking advantage of the rare opportunity to climb Duke Chapel at night see the fireworks between the spires.

Here, Together, Safely

We’re excited to get back to the classroom but there are still some things we should all do to keep Duke and Durham safe. Watch the video below to see what our student leaders would like us to do to make this a successful semester.

Produced by Duke Digital & Brand Strategy

Special thanks to Shaun King and Rebecca Fiorentino

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