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Duke University

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Duke University is a large private research university in Durham, North Carolina.

Duke Chapel, West Campus, Duke University, Durham, NC (48960356548)
Duke Chapel, West Campus, Duke University, Durham, NC (48960356548)

It is a very important place for learning and discovery. The school is part of a special area called the Research Triangle. This region includes other schools like North Carolina State University and UNC-Chapel Hill. Today, Duke is a global school with branches in Asia. It has a school in Singapore and another in Kunshan, China.

In 2024, the university spent more than $1.5 billion on research projects. This shows how much they value finding new things.

The university's history began a long time ago in 1838.

Wdukebuild
Wdukebuild

It started as a small school called Brown's Schoolhouse in Randolph County. A group of Methodists and Quakers organized the school. It changed names several times as it grew. It became Union Institute Academy in 1841. Later, it became Normal College in 1851. By 1859, it was known as Trinity College. In 1892, the college moved to its current home in Durham. This move happened because of help from leaders named Julian S. Carr and Washington Duke.

James Buchanan Duke statue at Duke University (retouched)
James Buchanan Duke statue at Duke University (retouched)

Many people helped the school grow through their kindness and money.

PerkinsLibrary
PerkinsLibrary

Washington Duke gave money to help build the school. He even required that women be treated equally to men. In 1924, his son James B. Duke created the Duke Endowment. This was a huge trust fund of $40 million. The money helped hospitals, churches, and several colleges. Because of this gift, the school was renamed Duke University. This new name honored Washington Duke. The money allowed the campus to expand very quickly.

The campus is split into different areas with unique styles.

Allen Building, West Campus, Duke University, Durham, NC (48960801602)
Allen Building, West Campus, Duke University, Durham, NC (48960801602)

The West Campus uses a style called Collegiate Gothic. This style has tall, beautiful buildings. The Duke Chapel is the highest point on this campus. The East Campus uses a different style called Georgian. This is where all first-year students live. Duke also has a marine lab in Beaufort.

The school is also known for its sports teams. They are called the Blue Devils. They compete in 27 different sports. The teams have won many national championships.

20131203 Cameron Crazies
20131203 Cameron Crazies

Throughout its history, Duke has changed to become more inclusive.

MedicalCenter
MedicalCenter

In the past, the school had unfair rules for Black students. During the 1960s, many people worked to change these rules. The undergraduate college officially desegregated in 1963. In 1972, the separate Woman's College merged with Trinity College. This meant men and women studied together in one place. The university also works hard to be a leader in science. It has large centers for research and medicine.

LevineScienceResearchCtr
LevineScienceResearchCtr

Duke continues to grow and change every year.

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🖼️ Images & Media (31)
File:Wdukebuild.jpg
Wdukebuild.jpg
File:James Buchanan Duke statue at Duke University (retouched).jpg
James Buchanan Duke statue at Duke...
File:LevineScienceResearchCtr.jpg
LevineScienceResearchCtr.jpg
File:Duke Chapel, West Campus, Duke University, Durham, NC (48960356548).jpg
Duke Chapel, West Campus, Duke...
File:PerkinsLibrary.jpg
PerkinsLibrary.jpg
File:Few Quad Arch.jpg
Few Quad Arch.jpg
File:Allen Building, West Campus, Duke University, Durham, NC (48960801602).jpg
Allen Building, West Campus, Duke...
File:2004-02-02 Duke Life Flight helicopter.jpg
2004-02-02 Duke Life Flight helicopter.jpg
File:2008-07-24 Duke Hospital PRT 5.jpg
2008-07-24 Duke Hospital PRT 5.jpg
File:2008-07-24 Lily pond at Duke Gardens 3.jpg
2008-07-24 Lily pond at Duke Gardens 3.jpg
File:MedicalCenter.jpg
MedicalCenter.jpg
File:DukeStone1.jpg
DukeStone1.jpg

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