Duke Time Off Photo Winner Captures Moment with Newborn

As the July Fourth holiday approaches, share photos for your time off for a chance to win prizes

A mom and her two children
Allison Boyer, left, recently shared a sweet moment with her daughters Ella and Emilia. Photo courtesy of Allison Boyer.

Between caring for her newborn daughter, Ella, and trying to keep up with her 3-year old daughter, Emilia, it’s been a hectic summer of diaper changes and daycare for Allison Boyer.

But a few weeks after Allison and her husband Evan brought Ella, who was born in May at Duke University Hospital, back to their home in Morrisville, Allison found a moment of priceless quiet. While Ella slept in her arms, Emilia decided to join them for a snuggle.

That was when Evan took out his phone to capture the moment.

“It’s just really a special memory of a time when Emilia was getting to know her sister and we were still getting used to being a family of four,” said Allison, the Director of Development for The Graduate School.

Allison Boyer, the Director of Development for The Graduate School, has been enjoying a summer of tender moments with her newborn daughter, Ella, and her 3-year old, Emilia. Photo courtesy of Allison Boyer.

Allison shared the photo this month as part of Working@Duke’s annual Duke Time Off photo campaign showcasing the value of using Duke’s paid time off benefits for well-being. The photo was picked as the third winner during the summer-long campaign.

With the July Fourth holiday approaching, Duke staff and faculty are encouraged to share photos and earn a chance at Duke Time Off prizes.

For her photo in June, Allison will receive a 24-can cooler, courtesy of Duke University Stores.

Using the six weeks of paid parental leave Duke offers eligible employees and a combination of other personal time off, Allison will return to work in early August. Until then, she’ll have plenty more opportunities to make memories with Ella and Emilia.

“One of the most special things is watching Emilia become a big sister,” Allison said. “She’s really loving it and it a really big fan of her baby sister. She wants to hold her all the time give her so many kisses. It’s really sweet to see.”

One Duke-themed prize, courtesy of Duke University Stores, will be given away roughly once every two weeks throughout the summer.

All eligible pictures taken and shared over the course of the campaign – from May 22, 2025, through Aug. 4, 2025 – will be in the running for the following grand prizes, courtesy of the Duke entities:

  • A “Classic Package for Two” ($425 value) at the Washington Duke Inn. The package includes a king or double/double room for one night and full breakfast for two in the Vista Room or room service. Sunday brunch is not eligible.
  • A lemur tour for two at the Duke Lemur Center.
  • Tickets to Duke Arts Presents performances.

The deadline for photo submissions is 5 p.m., Aug. 4. For additional Duke Time Off guidelines, including how to share your photo on social media or through our easy form, check out this story.

Send story ideas, shout-outs and photographs through our story idea form or write working@duke.edu.

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