News Briefs

Nurse who tried to unionize Duke dies

Connie Donahue, a former nurse who tried to unionize her co-workers at the Duke University Medical Center and later sued the University for firing her, died Oct. 6 of a heart attack at the age of 49. "She was a great nurse," said former co-worker Marge Dooley. "She was what you'd hope a nurse would be."

Donahue was fired as a Duke nurse in July 2002 on the grounds that she jeopardized the safety of a patient by leaving the patient's side for 11 minutes to take a bathroom break and smoke a cigarette. She contended the real reason was her union activity, a claim that the courts rejected earlier this year. A judge, however, did allow her to continue with the part of her claim alleging Duke had inflicted emotional distress on her. According to the Herald-Sun of Durham, Donahue was scheduled to go to mediation on the claim next month. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

Professor mentioned in Nobel Prize announcement

Tim Bollerslev, Juanita and Clifton Kreps professor of economics, was mentioned in the Nobel Prize announcement for Robert Engle, who won the 2003 award for his use of statistical methods to better understand stock prices, consumer spending and other long-running series of data. Bollerslev said he considers Engle a mentor and very good friend. "I'm thrilled. It's very exciting," he said.

The prize announcement calls Bollerslev's work on forecasting financial market volatility the "best-known extension" of Engle's model. According to the announcement, "This development has turned out to be very useful; [Bollerslev's model] is the model most often applied today."

Student's hymn wins competition

A hymn written by second-year Master of Divinity student Lisa Schubert and set to music by Kathleen Ryan Clute, Trinity '75, won Duke Chapel's 2003 hymn competitions and will premiere at the 11 a.m. church service Sunday, Oct. 19.

The hymn, titled "Whence Comes This Voice?," is based on chapter six, verse eight in the Book of Isaiah.

"Lisa's hymn text fits in perfectly with Duke Chapel's emphasis on vocation and servant leadership," said Rev. Will Willimon, dean of Duke Chapel. "It is a beautiful statement from a young person about God's summoning love."