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Volunteers Wanted for Duke’s Commencement Ceremony

Former WNBA and former TIME’S UP president will deliver May 12 address

Volunteers Wanted for Duke’s Commencement Ceremony
Students celebrate following the 2018 Commencement Ceremony at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium.

Duke Commencement organizers are seeking employees and students to volunteer during the ceremony on May 12. 

Volunteers will greet graduates and guests, help them with directions to and from the stadium, and answer questions at information booths around Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium. About 15,000 students and family members will be on campus over commencement weekend.

“The ceremony is filled with positive energy and excitement,” said Kaitlin Briggs, senior program coordinator for the Office of Special Events and University Ceremonies. “As a volunteer, you have the unique opportunity to experience this joy alongside our guests as we all collectively celebrate our graduates.”

The commencement procession begins at 9 a.m., and the ceremony follows from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Lisa Borders, a Duke graduate and former WNBA president and former president and CEO of the women’s advocacy group TIME’S UP, will deliver the commencement address. Last year, 60 employees volunteered during the ceremony. 

Volunteers will help from 6:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on May 12 and must attend a training session in the Yoh Football Center from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on May 8. During the session, lunch is provided and organizers will review answers to common questions and provide the overall commencement schedule.

Volunteers receive a Duke blue polo shirt and Duke straw hat to wear the day of the event. Breakfast and coffee will also be provided on the morning of commencement.

Penny Fleming, an instructor in the Sanford School of Public Policy, has volunteered at commencement for the past five years. Being at the event brings back happy memories of her two children – Bryan and Rachel – graduating from Duke. 

“I want every guest that visits Duke for commencement to have as special of a memory as I do,” Fleming said. “Commencement is just special because you see all of this hard work pay off. The feeling of excitement and accomplishment is electric.”

Please fill out this online form by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24.