Laney Funderburk, former senior alumni relations officer, died Saturday at age 77.
Funderburk led Duke’s alumni operations for 22 years before retiring in 2004. During his tenure, Duke Magazine was established and the alumni education and travel program was expanded. Additionally, Funderburk is credited with revamping class reunions and increasing alumni programming.
"Laney was an extraordinary leader of the alumni association for 22 years and for generations of alumni, he was the face of Duke," said Sterly Wilder, associate vice president for alumni affairs, in a Duke Today release. "His loyalty and passion for Duke were unfailing and inspiring, and we continue to follow his example in our work today. Our heartfelt sympathies go to his wife, Lois, and his children, who are all members of the Duke family."
After graduating from Duke in 1960, Funderburk worked with alumni affairs at Duke before becoming deputy secretary of the N.C. Department of Commerce and then chief of staff for Gov. James Holshouser. In 1982, he returned to the university to lead the alumni affairs office and was the longest-serving director in Duke’s history.
As director, Funderburk led the publication of Duke’s first directory of alumni and established the Duke University Black Alumni Connection.
He is survived by his wife Lois Copeland Funderburk, whom he met when they were both students at Duke. Their daughter Lisa Carlisle Funderburk Miller and son Morris Laney Funderburk both hold Duke degrees as well.
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