The Duke Digest - April 2, 2010


In Today's Issue:

  • Duke Graduate Student Discovers Haiti's Declaration of Independence in British Archives
  • Congressman Lipinski  (G '98) Visits Duke to Host Listening Session on Future of NSF
  • Duke Conference April 15-16 to Focus on National Security
  • Duke Offers Admission to 3,372
  • The History of Duke Blue

DUKE GRADUATE STUDENT DISCOVERS HAITI'S DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE IN BRITISH ARCHIVES
A Duke University graduate student has discovered what is believed to be the only known printed copy of Haiti's Declaration of Independence.

While researching the early independence of Haiti in February, Julia Gaffield found the document, an eight-page pamphlet dated Jan. 1, 1804, in the British National Archives in London. It is only the second declaration of its kind in the world, the first being the U.S. Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson and others.

Read More:
Rediscovering Haiti's Declaration of Independence (DukeNews)


CONGRESSMAN LIPINSKI VISITS DUKE TO HOST LISTENING SESSION ON FUTURE OF NSF
Congressman Daniel Lipinski (D-IL) returned to his alma mater on Monday to hear more about basic science research and related issues from representatives from universities in the Southeast.

Lipinski, who sits on the House Science and Technology Committee that oversees policy decisions related to the major science research agencies, scheduled his visit to Duke as a part of a nationwide listening tour in which he is soliciting comments on the reauthorization of programs contained in the America COMPETES Act.

Read More:
Congressman Holds Listening Session on Future of NSF (DukeNews)


DUKE CONFERENCE APRIL 15-16 TO FOCUS ON NATIONAL SECURITY
A diverse group of experts will examine current and emerging national security challenges, and strategies the Obama administration can employ to address them, during a conference at Duke University April 15-16. “National Security and the Obama Administration” is open to the public and all panel discussions are free.
 
The Thursday-Friday conference will feature experts from the top levels of the military, intelligence, diplomatic, legal and academic communities. Among them are keynote speakers Jeh Johnson, U.S. Department of Defense general counsel; Aziz Mekouar, the Kingdom of Morocco’s ambassador to the United States; and Robert S. Litt, general counsel to the director of national intelligence.

Read More:
Full conference schedule and registration information (Duke Law)

DUKE OFFERS ADMISSION TO 3,372
Out of a record 26,770 applications this year -- an 11 percent increase over last year -- 3,372 students will receive a notice of acceptance today inviting them to become members of the Class of 2014. These students have until May 1 to make their final decision. Duke’s admission rate for Regular Decision applicants was 13 percent.

Read More:
Duke Offers Admission to 3,372 (DukeNews)


THE HISTORY OF DUKE BLUE
It's darker than royal, lighter than navy. But over the decades, the shade of "Duke Blue" has changed because of priorities, tastes, trends and technology. To prepare for this Saturday's big game, learn all about the color shirt you'll be wearing.

Read More:
True Blue (Duke Magazine)