At the high point of autumn in Durham, N.C., students, program directors, and staff gathered for the annual DukeEngage Fall Reunion.
The DukeEngage Fall Reunion is a dynamic gathering that showcases a sampling of the work and transformative learning in DukeEngage programs. Each year, the reunion asks students to reflect on DukeEngage’s impact on their sense of purpose as they transition from their summer experience back into life at Duke. It’s also an opportunity for students to rekindle, celebrate, and cement the new relationships they formed over the summer.
“Thank you for saying yes…and for pausing a little bit on your path of opportunity that got you to Duke…and rethinking what that path of opportunity is.”
– Christine Folch, DukeEngage Faculty Director
This year, DukeEngage introduced a Reflection Challenge for students, offering them the chance to explore and tell the story of their summer experience while competing for prizes. The theme of the challenge was change: What changed for you during DukeEngage? What did you examine, pick apart, and make new meaning out of? What’s new for you, going forward?
At the Reunion, fifteen students took the stage to share their reflections. Submissions included stories, essays, photography, and presentations. The announcement of the winners added excitement to the program:
Best Overall
Sarah Konrad, DukeEngage South Africa
“‘I’m Sorry,’ and All that Paperwork Can’t Say”
Cultural Context
Lucas Lin, DukeEngage Senegal
”Finding the Path with Tariqa”
Ethics and Partnership
Diya Patel, DukeEngage India – Bengaluru
”What Do We Know? Reflections from Bengaluru”
Gratitude
Zofia Chmiel, DukeEngage Uganda – Kaihura
“DukeEngage Kaihura Knows Change”
Identity and Social Change
Angela Chen, DukeEngage DC – Science & Policy
“An ‘Outsider‘ Feels Invited into an Unexpected Community”
Sierra Putney, DukeEngage Brazil – Bahia
“No Such Thing as Too Many Sunsets”
After the program, as the sun set, students made their way to an outdoor picnic on the East Duke lawn, where they helped themselves to a buffet, sat under lighted tents, and reconnected with their DukeEngage cohorts, program directors, and others.
We hope that the DukeEngage community left feeling inspired, connected, and eager to continue their journeys into 2025 and beyond.
All photos and videos by Summer Steenberg.