Celebrating the Past, Charting the Future: Commemorating 50 Years of Black Students at Duke University

Commemorating fifty years of racial integration at Duke University, The Education of Ida Owens follows Ida Owens from her upbringing in rural North Carolina to her years at Duke University, where she became The Graduate School’s first African-American female to receive a Ph.D. When she reflects on the complicated cultural waters of her era, questions about identity, memory, and social activism surface. This personal exploration of Southern history, Duke history, and the civil rights movement brings to the forefront the past and its lingering effects.

The academic and professional journey of the first black woman to receive a Ph.D. from Duke has now been captured on film.

The nine-month commemoration of the 50th anniversary of black students at Duke University came to an end this past weekend with hundreds of black alumni returning to campus to lay claim to the university that helped shape them.

Among the great honors of my life is the opportunity to speak with you today on this special occasion of Founders’ Day. Even through the rigors of law school, I came to cherish this place, but at no time did I figure I would deserve this high honor. I thank you Dick. I am pleased to talk to you briefly from Luke Powery’s stage, highlighted at this particular celebration.

When I matriculated to Duke in 1986, I prayed a simple prayer: “Lord, help me to make the most of this amazing place.”

Of course, I had no idea how that prayer would come to pass. And, I certainly didn’t expect to abide at Duke 27 years and still be in school. I had other, “higher” ambitions. Or, so I thought.

Michael Holyfield, ’79, came to Duke when there were few black students to “dive into the ocean,” taking advantage of all the school had to offer. The philosophy/history major and A.B. Duke scholar was involved in the performing arts, Duke Chorale, and had a particular talent for rooting for his college team.

Duke Chapel posts archive of sermons showcasing the legacy of leading ministers.

A 4-day musical celebration, part of Duke’s commemoration of 50 years of black students, began with a jazz/spoken word poetry night at Beyu Caffe last Thursday. The Main Street Durham venue is owned by Duke alum Dorian Bolden.

The retired dean of student affairs was key in a pivotal moment in Duke’s history.

Exhibit explores critical moment in civil rights movement at Duke.