Working@Duke - April, 2008
-
Upload
workingatduke -
Category
Documents
-
view
217 -
download
0
Transcript of Working@Duke - April, 2008
-
8/14/2019 Working@Duke - April, 2008
1/8
3 7STAYING SAFEAaron Graves,associate vicepresident for campussafety and security,discusses alerting thecampus communityto serious crimes.
WORKING@DUKE
2SUSTAINABLE DUKEThe Duke FarmersMarket opens April 11.New this season:reusable cloth bagsand rain barreldemonstrations.
N E W S Y O U C A N U S E : : V o l u m e 3 , I s s u e 3 : : A p r i l 2 0 0 8
This paper consists of 30% recycled
post-consumer fiber. Please recycle after reading.
Dwight and LaShosta Parham dream big about retirement. He
wants to travel to Africa; she hopes to visit the Caribbean islands.
While the packing needs for their suitcases may differ, both
destinations require something more than hope to make the trips and their
retirement dreams come true.The Parhams, who work in food services in the East Campus
Marketplace, know their dream will only be possible if they save now.It seems like were on course, said Dwight, 40. But Id also like us to
have a cushion. You dont want to get to 60 and realize that you dont have
enough money to retire. Then what are you going to do?Concerns about funding retirement are on the minds of many. A 2007
Gallup poll reported that the biggest financial worry for the majority ofAmericans, 56 percent, is having enough money to maintain their standardof living in retirement. A recent Duke Today (www.duke.edu/today )online poll reflected a similar concern. The unofficial poll of 143 faculty andstaff indicated that 59 percent are worried they may not have enough savedto live comfortably in retirement.
At Duke, faculty and staff have several options to address these concerns.But individuals need to take advantage of Dukes benefits to ensure theymeet their retirement goals.
Dwight and LaShosta have 25 and 35 years respectively to go untilreaching full retirement age. The question for them and others is: Will theybe financially ready?
Options at DukeLike the Parhams, Dukes hourly-paid staff are automatically enrolled in the
Employees Retirement Plan, a traditional pension plan paid entirely by Duke.I think its a good program that Duke is putting money into the plan,
and we dont have to worry about it, said LaShosta, 33.Hourly-paid staff can also contribute to their retirement through the
Duke Savings for Retirement Plan, whichallows them to invest additional personalsavings into a 403(b) plan. Its funded by theirvoluntary, pre-tax deductions.
Salaried faculty and staff are eligible for theFaculty and Staff Retirement Plan, a 403(b),and are not eligible for the EmployeesRetirement Plan. To receive retirementcontributions from Duke, most faculty and staffhave to contribute at least 3 percent of theirsalary. Those under 35 years of age can receivethe Duke contribution for as little as 1 percent.
The plan provides a similar benefit toDukes pension plan for hourly-paid staff. Withmoney like this available, most eagerly accept.
Nearly 90 percent of those eligible to receive theDuke contribution participate in the plan.
I jumped in right away to take advantage of the miracle ofcompounding interest, said Steve Williams, a monthly-paid marketingspecialist for Dukes Office of Information Technology. A year later I startedreceiving Dukes contribution, which I value enormously.
At age 56, Williams has worked at Duke seven years, and barring anymajor economic downturns, he said he and his wife are on target to reachtheir retirement goals. Dukes contribution is generous, especially thelonger you stay. As your salary rises, so does Dukes contribution, he said.
This year, Duke contributes 8.6 percent on the first $51,450 of salaryand 13.3 percent on salary in excess of $51,450 to those enrolled in thefaculty and staff retirement plan.
>> S ee RETIREMENT, PAGE 4-5
CAMPUS TO EXPANDDuke plans to expandbetween East andWest campuses andnear the NasherMuseum and SarahP. Duke Gardens.
D U K E S R E T I R E M E N T P L A N S A M O N G M O S T C O M P E T I T I V E A N Y W H E R E
Dwight and LaShosta Parhams retirement dreams include travel to Africa and the Caribbean islands. The couple is saving now for their future plans.
Retirement:Will you save
enough money?
Sylvester R. Hackney
*Based on earnings of $40,000 per year/$100 monthly contribution.
Source: Human Resources
2007 Gold Medal, Internal Periodical Staff Writing
2007 Bronze Medal, Print Internal Audience Tabloids/Newsletters
If an individual enrolls in one of Dukes 403(b) plans and contributes just 3% ofher base pay, she ca n accumulate significant personal savings during the courseof her career through investment and compounding interest.
-
8/14/2019 Working@Duke - April, 2008
2/8
-
8/14/2019 Working@Duke - April, 2008
3/8
-
8/14/2019 Working@Duke - April, 2008
4/8
4
Dukes retirement plans areamong the most competitiveanywhere, said Sylvester Hackney,associate director of Duke Benefits.Last year, Dukes contribution toretirement plans exceeded $81million more than the combinedcost to build the Nasher Museum
of Art and Bostock Library.Dukes retirement benefits
look even better considering recenttrends. Many companies have eliminated pension plans orminimized commitments to retirement benefits because ofthe long-term financial obligation, said John Graham,finance professor at Dukes Fuqua School of Business.
Retirement benefits are not something that mostcompanies are beefing up, Graham said. Duke should beproud of its pension plan. It says that Duke cares about itsemployees.
Saving Can Be ToughHackney said contributing to the 403(b) plans is an
important part of what he calls a three-pronged approach,with personal savings, employer-provided retirementcontributions and Social Security making up retirementsavings. All these funds areimportant when planning forretirement, he said.
Hackney recommends increasingretirement savings after a raise saving even 1 percent more will help.
Save as much as you can. Thefuture is so uncertain, especially interms of health care costs and SocialSecurity, said Hackney.
According to financial experts,individuals will need between 75 and85 percent of their pre-retirementincome to maintain the same standard
of living during retirement.But for many, saving is easier said
than done, said Dan Ariely, abehavioral economist and visitingprofessor at the Fuqua School ofBusiness.
Its really hard to save, he said.If you want to save, first you need totake control of your spending.
Ariely, who explores this conceptin his book, Predictably Irrational,said spending is an emotional andoften pleasurable experience diningout, buying a new TV or car makes us feel good. Hesuggests using automatic deduction to pull money from
checking and into retirement savings accounts. After all, ifthe moneys not there, it cant be spent.
The Parhams, who are also new homeowners, knowsaving for retirement can sometimes be a challenge.
About four years ago, LaShosta signed up for theSavings for Retirement Plan on her own, after a financial
advisor from AIG VALIC one ofDukes retirement plan investmentcarriers spoke in dining services.
I was only in it for about sixmonths, LaShosta said. I closed theaccount because I needed the moneyfor other things. Now, we think aboutwhether we really need something ornot before we buy it.
Based on Human Resources data,most faculty and staff at Duke are
doing well in preparing forretirement. About 85 percent offaculty and staff eligible for Dukesretirement plans are currently on track
for meeting the 75 percent pre-retirement income goalbased on Duke provided retirement, Social Security andpersonal savings.
The Golden YearsDonnie Clark, who retired at age 65 after 45 years
of Duke service, counts himself among those on track.He was well prepared for a comfortable retirement
because he participated in the pension plan and alsocontributed to the Savings for Retirement Plan for hourly-paid staff.
I gradually kept putting money away, said Clark, 72,who began working at Duke in 1956 in a
telecommunications position.It was never that much, but afterso long, it added up.
Clark plays golf at theOcconeechee Golf Club four timesa week. He has a beach house inBeaufort, where he enjoysspending time with his family,including three sons, two of whomwork at Duke.
Theres something to do allthe time work in the garden, fixthe house, church activities yeah,Im enjoying life, he said.
The Parhams are also takingsteps to save on their own. Aboutfour years ago, they started puttingaway $25 to $150 per paychecktoward retirement. Theyre alsoconsidering signing up for DukesSavings for Retirement Plan.
Were saving on our own, sowere doing pretty well, I think,Dwight said. Were also settingmoney aside for our two kids togo to college.
Dwight took another look atthe couples budget, and he and LaShosta met with DukeBenefits in March to see if they could save more.
After meeting with Hackney to discuss their options,the Parhams enrolled in the Duke Savings for RetirementPlan, a voluntary plan to boost their savings and reach theirretirement dreams.
Stories By Elizabeth Michalka
Communications Specialist, HR Communications
Five RetirementStrategies1. Know your retirement needs. Experts estimate youll
need at least 75 percent of your income in retirementto maintain your current standard of living.
2. Participate in a Duke retirement plan. Its nevertoo late to start saving. Retirement savings plans for bi-
weekly and monthly staff are available. Talk with a
Duke retirement counselor about which one is right for
you, and make saving a priority. The sooner you begin
contributing on a pre-tax basis, the more time your money
has to grow. Investing even a minimal amount makes a
difference. Call (919) 681-4225 or visit
www.hr.duke.edu/benefits/retirement.
3. Beef up your savings. Remember to evaluate yourcontribution amount annually, so you can adjust for lifes
changes. Incremental increases add up exponentially over
time in your tax-deferred plan.
4. Research your Social Security benefits. Mostpeople think that age 65 is when they can start receiving
their full Social Security benefits, and they plan to work
until that age. However, if you were born after 1938, youmay need to work past age 65 to receive full benefits. For
instance, if you were born in 1965, your retirement age is
actually 67. If you still want to retire at 65, you need to
contribute more to your retirement plan or savings
account now. Visit www.ssa.gov/retirement.
5. Dont touch it. Once youve opened a retirementsavings account, sign up for direct deposit so you can
invest in it and then forget it. Dont dip into it to buy
a new car, pay off credit cards, or take a dream vacation.
Drawing on your retirement savings early can cause you
to lose principal and interest, as well as tax benefits.
Donnie Clark
Retirement
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Save as much as you
can. The future is so
uncertain, especially in terms of
health care costs and Social
Security.
Sylvester Hackney
Associate Director of Duke Benefits
Did YouKnow?
According to financialexperts, individuals willneed between 75 and 85
percent of their pre-retirement income tomaintain the samestandard of livingduring retirement.
-
8/14/2019 Working@Duke - April, 2008
5/8
5
HOURLY-PAID STAFFHourly-paid staff members are eligible for two Duke
retirement plans the Employees Retirement Plan andthe Duke Savings for Retirement Plan.
The Employees Retirement Plan is a pension plan
designed to provide a guaranteed monthly income at
retirement, paid entirely by Duke. Hourly-paid staff are
automatically enrolled if they are over age 21 and have
completed one year of employment. Staff are vested and
eligible for the benefits after five
years of continuous service.
The Savings for Retirement
Plan is a 403(b) plan that allows
hourly-paid staff to invest their own
savings for retirement. It is funded
by employee voluntary pre-tax
deductions, which can be payroll
deducted for as little as $12.50 per
pay period.
FACULTY & SALARIED STAFFFaculty and salaried staff are eligible for a 403(b)
plan called the Duke Faculty and Staff Retirement Plan.
Duke contributes to the plan after one year of service if
individuals contribute at least 3 percent of their salary.
Those under 35 years old can begin receiving the Duke
contribution with 1 percent of their salary.
To enroll in a Duke retirement plan, call 681-8774
or visit www.hr.duke.edu/benefits/retirement.
LEARNMOREDuke offers freeseminars on retirementplanning through DukeHuman Resources andthe Duke UniversityFederal Credit Union.
Seminar times andlocations vary, andregistration is required.
HUMAN RESOURCESSEMINARS
April 22May 13
June 17July 22
Duke faculty and staffmay also schedule a one-on-one consultation bycalling (919) 681-4225and asking for aretirement planspecialist.
Visitwww.hr.duke.edu/benefits/retirement/seminar.php
DUKE CREDIT UNIONSEMINARS
April 21Retirement Strategiesfor Women
May 27Retirement Strategiesfor Life
June 11Investment& Retirement Planning
Visitwww.dukefcu.org
For 35 years, Barbara Burton worked at Duke, saving
for retirement along the way. She saved early andconsistently, but now Burton wishes she would have
done more.
I never saved as much as I should have, said Burton,
65, reflecting on her retirement planning.
After she retired early from Duke in 2006,
she took a full-time job at the Durham VA
Medical Center. She didnt want to stop
working, a trend noted by the AARP in a
survey showing 80 percent of baby boomers
plan to work, at least part-time, for reasons
including money and social interaction.
When she considered retiring from the
Department of Clinical Laboratories, where she
focused on laboratory safety, Burton talkedwith a Duke Benefits specialist and met with
her financial advisor.
My financial advisor said that my husband and I
couldnt afford to live on what I would get monthly from
my retirement plan, Burton said.
That news meant shed have to keep working to
maintain the standard of living for her and her husband,
Brian, who has spent most of his retirement savings on
medical expenses.
It just goes to show that you
never know what can happen you
never know how your situation can
change, Burton said.
In her first five years at Duke,
she was enrolled in the pension plan
as an hourly-paid staff member. She
transferred to a monthly-salaried
position and was no longer covered
by the pension plan. Burton was
eligible for the Faculty and Staff
Retirement Plan, a 403(b) plan and
had to contribute at least 3 percent
of her monthly salary to receive
Dukes retirement contribution.
Burton gradually increased her
contribution, but she said it was not enough.
I never gave more than 5 percent all my years at Duke
that was a bad mistake, she said. I didnt invest enough
in my retirement.
Her job at the VA provides enough income for her and
Brian. She will also receive some retirement benefits from
the VA but has to work three years to be vested.
Burton has big hopes for the future shes lookingforward to frequent visits to Texas to see her youngest
daughter and grandson. She also wants to help her oldest
daughter to start an arts and crafts business, where Burton
said she might work part-time making hats. And if she can
afford it, shed like to retire to the beach.
Above all, it will be nice to not have to worry about
money in retirement, she said. I should be OK, as long as
I dont touch my current retirement savings, and I still have
Social Security.
Duke retiree wishes she had saved more
My financial
advisor said
that my husband and I
couldnt afford to live on
what I would get monthly
from my retirement
plan.
Barbara Burton
Duke retiree
Dukes Retirement Plans:Two Paths to the Same Goal
Barbara Burton retired from Duke after 35 years but returned to work to make
ends meet. One day, she may sew hats part-time like the one shown above.
-
8/14/2019 Working@Duke - April, 2008
6/8
6
AhhhhhWhere To Meditate
Wednesdays and Fridays8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.Duke Chapel CryptE-mail James Abordo Ong,[email protected]
Thursdays3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.Duke Hospital Chapel,Sixth Floor.E-mailChaplain Annette Olsen,[email protected]
WantMore Info?
Visitwww.duke.edu/web/
meditation
Meditation sessions growingin popularity at Duke
By Dr. Jeffrey Brantley
Every person has the capacity for a reflective and receptive awareness centered in the present moment.
This awareness is capable of recognizing thoughts and feelings when they occur, as well as noticing
body sensations and experiences in the world around you arising at each of your senses. Such awareness
is understood as a sensitive space or container that actually holds and allows thoughts, feelings, sensations and
other events to flow through the present moment without judging or trying to change them.
A name for this awareness is mindfulness.
You can be mindful simply by paying attention on purpose in a non-judging and allowing, friendly way.
You can pick any focus, or your entire experience, for your mindful attention.
The key to practicing mindfulness is to know that it can help and to do it. When you practice, pay
attention mindfully, and if your attention wanders, patiently keep bringing your attention back, noticing
what is happening without becoming stuck. You are practicing mindfulness by letting yourself gradually
inhabit that space of sensitive awareness and dwelling there more and more steadily.
Try picking any moment in your life to be mindful. For example, during a work break, go some place
you wont be disturbed and put your attention on a body sensation like the in-and-out breath, or the sensations in your feet
as you walk. When your mind wanders, you have not done anything wrong; be patient and kind with yourself. Just return
to the present moment, allowing yourself to feel the sensations in your body.
Weaving mindfulness into your life in an easy and curious way can also have a positive impact on ingrained habits of
stress reactivity.
By allowing yourself to stop and connect with life happening in this moment, in different moments and situations, you
step back from habits of worry and hurry in both mind and body. Pausing to pay attention on purpose without requiring
anything else gives yourself a chance to connect with life as it actually happens, in that moment, and you begin to inhabit
your wholeness, and become less compartmentalized.
Stepping back and noticing your inner life mindfully gives you the awareness of the patterns of thinking and feeling
that allows you more conscious choice about continuing to feed those patterns, fight them or choose another response.
Your body will also engage its own relaxation response simply because you are paying attention without insisting on
doing, fixing or changing anything. You can notice and relax into a greater sense of ease and well-being.
Learn to manage stressful moments more artfully by paying attention mindfully. You may be surprised by the gifts
awaiting your attention and discovery.
Dr. Jeffrey Brantley is director of Dukes Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program and author of Calming Your Anxious Mind:
How Mindfulness and Compassion Can Free You of Anxiety, Fear, and Panic.
Mindful stress-buster
Learn MoreDuke Integrative Medicineand Duke ProspectiveHealth offer free monthlylectures. Visit www.dukeintegrativemedicine.organd www.dukeprospectivehealth.org. On April 17,learn how to integrateorganic foods into yourlifestyle.
Dr. Jeffrey Brantley, director of Dukes
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
Program.
S
unlight streamed through
stained glass windows in
the Duke Chapel cryptas several people sat quietly on
floor mats. Other than an
occasional bird chirp outside, the
tranquility was uninterrupted
as members of the Duke
community gathered for
morning meditation.
When I meditate, I find
that I cling less onto thoughts
that would otherwise pull me in all sorts of directions,
negatively affect my mood or exhaust my physical and
mental energies, said James Abordo Ong, a graduate
student in philosophy and member of the Buddhist
Community at Duke.Ong is among a growing group of Duke community
members who attend meditation sessions on campus. Using
meditation as morning ritual or a mid-afternoon coffee
break is growing in popularity, and free sessions are offered
at two Duke locations.
The Buddhist Community at Duke sponsors
meditation at 8:30 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays in the
Duke Chapel crypt; the Hospital hosts another session at 3
p.m. Thursdays in the Hospital Chapel. The interfaith
sessions are open to students, faculty and staff.
You definitely dont have to be Buddhist to attend the
meditation sessions, Ong said. We welcome everyone,
regardless of religious, spiritual and philosophical beliefs.
The lower level of Duke Chapel is a beautiful, peaceful area
and a wonderful space for solitude and meditation, which is
a great way to start the day.
The Duke Hospital sessions begin with a few minutes
of instruction on relaxation techniques based on an array of
spiritual, philosophical,
religious and holistic health
perspectives.One aim of sharing a
variety of practice techniques
is to honor the diverse roots
of meditation practice:
Hinduism, Buddhism,
Judaism, Christianity, Islam,
philosophy, holistic health and
mind-body medicine, said
Duke Hospital Chaplain
Annette Olsen, who helps oversee the sessions.
For some Duke staff and faculty, meditating helps ease
stress and boost job performance.
People think of stress as problems, worry, tension
and pressure, but even good changes, such as theholidays, moving into a new house or a promotion at
work, can cause stress, said Jon Seskevich, a Duke nurse
clinician who has provided stress and pain management
education for 20 years.
Seskevich said meditation and other relaxation
techniques are proven methods for managing stress,
lowering blood pressure, increasing energy levels and
avoiding digestion problems.
Anne Jarvis, a Duke clinical trials specialist who
attends the Hospital sessions, believes in the healing power
of meditation.
Ive practiced meditation and prayer through the years
and believe that by meditating or praying about
compassion and the desire for living beings to be free from
suffering, she said, you can realize that an end to suffering
is possible.
By Missy Baxter
Senior Writer, Office of Communication Services
Members of the Duke community meditate recently in the Duke Chapel crypt.
-
8/14/2019 Working@Duke - April, 2008
7/8
Y O U R S O U R C E F O R G R E E N N E W S A T D U K E
Connie Henninger plans to go green at the Duke
Farmers Market, which opens April 11. Not only will
she shop for lettuce, beans and other veggies,
Henninger will do away with a plastic sack and carry a
reusable cloth bag for purchases. She might even buy a rain
barrel at the market.
I love the Duke Farmers Market because I know Im
getting vegetables and fruits right out
of the ground that are fresher and
healthier than store-bought
produce, said Henninger, director of
Strategic Sourcing, Procurement andSupply Chain Management at Duke.
The market, which runs through
Sept. 26, features a cornucopia of
fresh produce, herbs, flowers and
other products from seven local
farms. Seasonal selections vary, but
highlights include tomatoes,
peppers, onions, okra, cabbage,
cucumbers, potatoes, squash,
cantaloupes, melons, strawberries,
blueberries, blackberries, peaches and
plums.
The 2008 market, which is
sponsored by LIVE FOR LIFE,Dukes employee wellness program,
will offer reusable cloth shopping
bags and educational events designed
to encourage sustainable living
practices such as water conservation.
On April 18, a local company will sell rain barrels
and demonstrate how to install them.
Tavey McDaniel Capps, Dukes environmental
sustainability coordinator, said the farmers market is in line
with Dukes continuing efforts to leave a lighter
environmental footprint. It is not just about the health of
our bodies, it is also realizing the impact food production
and transportation has on our entire environment, she said.
Freda Butner, a licensed dietitian nutritionist and
marketing specialist with the North Carolina Department
of Agriculture & Consumer Services, said Duke is among a
small handful of Triangle employers that offers on-site
farmers markets.
In the past, places like Cisco and IBM have offered
occasional farmers markets at their locations in Research
Triangle Park, but Duke is really pioneering new territory
by having an on-site market on a regular
basis, Butner said.
Local farmers commend Duke for
promoting sustainable agriculture, whichbenefits consumers, farmers, farm workers,
the environment and local economy.
Buying local produce cuts fuel costs. Food
in the United States typically travels
between 1,500 and 2,500 miles from farm
to table, according to Worldwatch
Institute, an environmental and social
policy research organization in
Washington, D.C.
The money you spend with a local
farmer at the Duke Farmers Market stays in
our community, said Roland McReynolds,
executive director of the Carolina Farm
Stewardship Association, a non-profitorganization in Pittsboro that promotes the
development of a locally-based, organic
food system. Youre making an
investment not only in your own health
and good food, but in the people, the land,
the air and the water that support us all.
Caring for the environment and local economy are
among the many reasons Henninger supports the Duke
Farmers Market.
Plus, you can grab a tasty, convenient lunch there,
she said. I often get the Caesar salad, which is a great
way to go green.
By Missy Baxter
Senior Writer, Office of Communication Services
Sustainable ukeGet Your Green-On atDuke Farmers Market
For More Information: www.hr.duke.edu/farmersmarket
7
WANT TO GO?WHEN:11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays,from April 11 to June 27;then every other Fridayfrom July 18 to Sept. 26.
Closed July 4 and July 11.
WHERE:In front of the MedicalCenter Book Store off CoalPile Drive, next to thewalkway connecting DukeHospitaland the Clinics.
In the past,places like
Cisco and IBM have offered
occasional farmers markets
at their locations in
Research Triangle Park, but
Duke is really pioneering
new territory by having an
on-site market on a regular
basis.
Freda ButnerNorth Carolina Department of
Agriculture & Consumer Services
The market, which runs through Sept. 26, features a cornucopia of fresh produce, herbs, flowers and other products from seven local farms.
DID YOUKNOW?Shoppers who swipe theirDukeCards at the market are
entered into a weekly raffleto win a basket of freshfruits and vegetables.
-
8/14/2019 Working@Duke - April, 2008
8/8
Duke AppreciationEvent Highlights
Sunday, May 411 a.m.
Duke Chapel Services
Wednesday, May 14Restaurant Night
Select restaurants offer discounts
for Duke staff and faculty. Check
www.hr.duke.edu/da2008 for
participating restaurants
Saturday, May 179 a.m.
Duke Family Fun Run/Walk
Events start/finish at the field
south of Washington Duke Inn
entrance
2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Family Fun Day
Wannamaker Field
Live entertainment, rides and food
Monday, May 1911:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Lunch on the Quad
West Campus Quad
11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Duke Hospital Third Shift
Celebration
Third shift employees are invited
to attend a breakfast buffet in the
Duke North Cafeteria being held
in their honor. Live entertainment
will be provided.
During the annual Duke Appreciation celebration, Duke pays special tribute to faculty and staff. Below is one example ofthe many contributions that help make Duke a special place. To all faculty and staff, we say, Thank you.
From the moment Dr. Richard Heitzenrater stepped foot on Dukes campus as a teenager,
he felt a connection and passion for the place, and his calling.
During my freshman year at Duke in 1957, I had a work study job in the library, said
Heitzenrater, a Duke Divinity professor who is 68 years old. I cataloged rare books. The rare bookroom opened up a whole new world for me.
As a student at Duke, Heitzenrater discovered a love for books, research and church history. Thoseinterests propelled him to become a leading expert in Methodist church history, particularly JohnWesley, an 18th-century leader in the Methodist movement.
He explored Wesleys life in authentic manuscripts and became bestknown for interpreting Wesleys personal diaries and editing the seven-volume, Journal and Diaries of John Wesley.
Heitzenrater made a conscious effort to study at Duke. When he was in the seventhgrade, his family visited Duke on their way back to New York from Florida. Heitzenrater wasin awe of the campus. He received his degrees two bachelors and a doctorate from Duke.
After his studies, Heitzenrater cultivated his career at the First United Methodist Church inButler, Pennsylvania, Centre College of Kentucky and Southern Methodist University in Texas.He returned to Duke in 1993 as professor of church history and Wesley studies at Duke DivinitySchool. He still depends on Dukes library for research and teaching support and requires
students to complete a traditional research paper, using print sources.The idea of coming back to Duke was always in the back of my mind, Heitzenrater said.Above all, it was the library here. The librarians in special collections have become my best
friends. They are so supportive and will move mountains to get me the materials I need.Hes stayed at Duke because of the support network, and this year, Heitzenrater celebrates 15 years, making him one
of hundreds of Duke Stars faculty and staff celebrating a career milestone. Every May, Duke Stars are recognized duringDuke Appreciation, a series of events to celebrate Duke faculty and staff.
It just makes me thrilled every morning to get up, and I look forward to whats going to happen every day, he said.I just do the things that I enjoy most its not really work.
By Elizabeth MichalkaCommunications Specialist, Human Resources Communications
Richard Heitzenrater
Ive wanted to buy another laptop, so Id find out whatkind of deals Duke Stores is offering on laptops. I hear
they have bargains at the Duke Computer Store in the lowerlevel of the Bryan Center. So, Id probably spend it there.
Cynthia Bullock
Administrative Assistant, Corporate Research Collaborations,
Corporate and Venture Development
3 years at Duke
If you decided to spend your tax refund at Duke, whatwould you spend it on?
Oh, thats easy. Id spend it on parking. Maybe if myrefund was big enough, I could get out of the gravel
lot where I park now.
George Weary
Senior Grounds Equipment Operator,
Facilities Management Department
35 years at Duke
I know that a number of students are involved in important projects throughthe Duke Global Health Institute to assist people in Third World countries by
teaching them skills to help them become sustainable communities. Id make a donationto one of those such as the Millennium Village Project. Although Id be donating mytax refund, it would pay off in the long run if other countries became more self-sufficient. Its all about sustainability.
Tamara James
Director, Ergonomics, Occupational & Environmental Medicine
15 years at Duke
dialogue@DukeHOW TO REACH USEditor: Leanora Minai
(919) 681-4533
Assistant Vice President:
Paul S. Grantham
(919) 681-4534
Graphic Design & Layout:
Paul Figuerado
Photography: Duke University
Photography and Elizabeth
Michalka, HR Communications.
Support Staff: Mary Carey
Working@Duke is published monthly
by Dukes Office of Communication
Services. We invite your
feedback and suggestions forfuture story topics.
Please write us at
Working@Duke, Box 90496,
705 Broad St., Durham, NC 27708
Call us at (919) 684-4345.
Send faxes to (919) 681-7926.
WORKING@DUKE
For daily news and information, visitwww duke edu/today
By Missy Baxter
Senior Writer, Office of Communication Services
Got AStoryIdea?
Write
Call
(919) 681-4533
D U K E T O D A Y
Celebrating faculty and staff
For more details, visit www.hr.duke.edu/da2008