Summer may mean fewer people on campus, but it does not mean less news. Take a look at some of the biggest headlines from May and June.
Aycock renamed
President Richard Brodhead recently announced that freshman dormitory Aycock will be renamed East Residence Hall in a letter to student leaders. The renaming, agreed on by the Board of Trustees’ executive committee, comes months after the Duke Student Government senate adopted a resolution in support of renaming Aycock, even though numerous calls for change have been voiced by students in the past. Representatives of DSG and the Black Student Alliance formally met with members of the administration to present a proposal for the name change. Aycock, a former North Carolina governor, was a prominent figure in the state’s white supremacy movements during the late 1800s.
Pearson Family gives $30 million to Pratt
In early June—coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the Pratt School of Engineering—J. Michael and Christine Pearson announced a $30 million gift to the school, intended to fund interdisciplinary studies. The gift makes up a significant portion of Pratt's $161.5 million fundraising goal for the DukeForward capital campaign, and comes as the sixth-largest gift received by the campaign thus far. Both Mr. and Mrs. Pearson are Duke alumni— Pratt '81 and Nursing '84, respectively.
Marine Lab gains first new research space in decades
With the opening of the Orrin H. Pilkey Research Laboratory in May, the Duke Marine Lab gained its first new space for research since the 1970s. The result of two years of construction and two multimillion dollar donations, the space is specifically designed to be hurricane-proof and makes use of a variety of energy efficient technologies. The Marine Lab, located in Beaufort, N.C., is home to a variety of teaching and research run chiefly through the Nicholas School of the Environment.
Student sues University in response to expulsion for sexual assault
Lewis McLeod, who entered Duke as a part of the Class of 2014, is currently suing the University after being expelled for an alleged sexual assault. A female freshman reported a claim of sexual assault in November 2013, and McLeod was found responsible after an investigation by the Office of Student Conduct that wrapped up in February. McLeod appealed the finding on the grounds that his student conduct hearing was not balanced, but his April appellate hearing also found him responsible and he was barred from attending graduation. McLeod filed a lawsuit against the University in May, requesting his degree. The case is currently making its way through the local superior court.
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