Forever Duke

“I didn’t retire, I graduated.”

After more than 25 years as a trusted TV news anchor in Washington, D.C., Holly Morris Espy ’93 took on a completely new challenge: co-founding a women’s pickleball apparel company with a mission tied to wellness and brain health.

From engineering student at Duke University to journalist to entrepreneur, her story is a great reminder that there’s no single path after graduation — and sometimes the most exciting chapter comes later.

Designing a Second Act When Holly Morris Espy ’93 entered Duke, she came with the intention of becoming an engineer. She earned her degree in environmental and civil engineering from what is now Pratt, but left Durham carrying a passion for television news that had been percolating in the back of her mind for years.

Last chance. Registration for the Forever Learning Summer Academy closes THIS WEEK. ⏳💙

Join fellow Duke alumni and friends in Durham June 21–27 for a one-of-a-kind week of big ideas, behind-the-scenes campus access, and unforgettable Durham experiences. Part summer camp, part lifelong learning adventure, part reunion — all uniquely Duke.

If you’ve been meaning to sign up, now’s the time. Once registration closes this week, that’s it.

Smart fun. No grades. Just Duke.

Register today: https://brnw.ch/21x2SAi

This Memorial Day, we pause to remember the members of the Duke community who served our country and never made it home.

Their names live on in the Duke Chapel Memorial Quadrangle, first created to honor alumni lost in World War II and later expanded to recognize those who served in Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War and Iraq.

We remember them today and always. 💙

New Duke alum starter pack 💙

No matter when you graduated, there’s something about that transition out of Duke that sticks with you—the routines, the people, the moments that shaped your time here.

This “starter pack” captures a few of those shared experiences, but we know there’s more to the story.

What would you add? Drop it in the comments. Your perspective might be exactly what a new grad needs to hear right now!

And for our newest alumni: don’t forget to update your email so you can stay connected 👉 https://brnw.ch/21x2jpE

Meet Duke student, Nicholas Nease. 🌍

Growing up in Florida, he watched rising waters reshape coastal communities. Now at Duke, he’s turning that concern into action—helping install solar and battery systems in Puerto Rico, leading campus climate conversations, and even building a startup focused on clean energy infrastructure.

It’s hands-on, real-world work—figuring out not just what the problems are, but how to actually solve them.

Read his story and watch the video:
https://brnw.ch/21x2hbR