Returning to Academic Life

By Duke University

August 23^rd, 2021

Orientation week is traditionally meant to help guide new students through the Duke campus experience. But this year, it also welcomed the larger campus community to a university returned to in-person learning and a fuller academic experience.

Over the past week, we’ve seen the first signs of this expanded Duke experience as the community returned to campus. Students moved into their dorms, participated in long-held traditions that were delayed or changed by the pandemic last year and returned to lecture halls for the first day of classes. For the students, these are signs that the academic and communal experiences that have been so meaningful to them are cautiously returning.

Building on last year’s success in managing the coronavirus on campus, the university has updated its policies and procedures—based on research conducted here at Duke—to make sure we can expand the student experience safely.

Firt-year Advisory Counselors get themselves hyped up to help new students move in on East Campus

Returning to a Vibrant Campus Community

Before the Class of 2025 even started to make friends, they took their first test: A COVID-19 test, immediately after unpacking the car. That gave the students the green light to start their Duke experience. While the new students didn’t miss out on any Duke traditions last year, the last 18 months for most were spent in remote learning in high school. For them, Orientation was an exciting transition into a communal educational experience.

First-year Advisory Counselors were on hand with their usual energy to help get the new students moved-in

Families takes photos on East Campus after moving their first-year into the dorm

FACs unloaded cars and carried belongings into dorms with enthusiasm

Returning to Tradition

Each Fall, Duke kicks off the academic year with New Student Convocation ceremonies for all new undergraduates as well as graduate and professional students. While it is usually held inside Duke Chapel and was presented as a YouTube Premiere last year, this year’s ceremony took place outdoors on Abele Quad for the first time. In his address, President Vincent Price acknowledged the uncertainty around the school year, but told the students that is a normal part of the learning experience in any year.

“I’ll wager that today, as you settle into new dorms and prepare to say farewell to these lovely families, all of you are feeling a fair amount of uncertainty. And that is unsettling, even scary. Today, I want to encourage you to embrace the deep uncertainty of this moment, to allow yourself to experience the confusion of life in a new place.”

– President Vincent E. Price

President Price in his academic regalia addresses the Class of 2025 on Abele Quad

Professor Erika Weinthal, chair of the Academic Council, leads the procession with the university mace—a symbol of Duke’s academic tradition

Rev. Dr. Luke A. Powery opens the convocation ceremony with a prayer

But, you also managed. You adapted. You grew. You persevered. You stayed strong. You made it work. And, you made it here.

– Christoph Guttentag, dean of undergraduate admissions

Members of the Class of 2025 join in singing “Dear Old Duke”

Live music is played off to the side of the stage during convocation

This is your time. We need you to provide the leadership that unifies rather than divides. Whether it’s a crisis of health, climate change, racial equity and justice, food security, or cybersecurity, we need you.

– Bill Boulding, dean of the Fuqua School of Business, addressing the graduate and professional student Convocation ceremony

Bill Boulding, dean of the Fuqua School of Business addresses new graduate and professional students at their convocation ceremony

Returning to Memorable Moments

With the assistance of head softball coach Marissa Young, head football coach David Cutcliffe and future head men’s basketball coach Jon Scheyer, the Class of 2025 returned to spell out the digits for their own iconic class photo at a celebration Wednesday at sunset on East Campus.

The Class of 2024 was able to create their own unique class photo days later on West Campus—a year after it was postponed.

Members of the Class of 2025 take selfies with the confetti falling during their class photo shoot

The Duke Class of 2025 logo

Head softball coach Marissa Young welcomes the Class of 2025

Coach Cutcliffe directs the Class of 2025 as their class photo is taken

“I was here in your shoes about 15 years ago. I’ll never forget the moment, taking the picture, this entire first week. Enjoy every moment. I’ll tell you for us, we’re very excited to be back and have you guys on campus.”

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

Download the Class Photo

The Class of 2025 lined up as rainbow-colored confetti drifts to the ground

Returning to Class

After 18 months of hybrid learning, the number of students walking around campus was a major indication of change—campus was bustling again. From lecture halls to dance studios, classrooms reopened across campus and students were excited to engage with their classmates and professors. And although precautions are still in place and things still look a little different, we look forward to the opportunities provided by this new academic year.

The West Campus Chapel bus stop is busy as students make their way to and from class

Students part ways as they make their way across the busy campus

Campus returns to life as students hustle to and from class

“I got to know my friends really well during Covid, but now I’m really looking forward to expand my social circle and engage more deeply with my professors.”

– Junior Francis de Beixedon

Francis de Beixedon works on an assignment in Lilly Library. Today was the first day that Lilly was open to students since the pandemic began.

Masked students attend a lecture on the first day of classes

Iyun Ashani Harrison teaches intermediate ballet in the Cube of the Rubenstein Arts Center on the first day of classes

Sophomores, from left, Catherine Ziu, Theiija Balasubramanian, Isabelle Ginn, Nya Prejean and Safryyah Wilson pose for photos in front of the Chapel on FDOC

Blue Devils Return

See the Class of 2024 create their own unique class photo on West Campus and browse all the photos and videos from the exciting, fun-filled celebration of coming together on campus.

Blue Devils Return

Returning 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.