Duke University Welcomes First Hindu Chaplain

Duke University has named Usha Rajagopalan its first Hindu Chaplain. Fluent in Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam, Rajagopalan graduated from Annamalai University in India and the University of Maryland. In her new role, Rajagopalan is charged with counseling Hindu students and representing the Hindu Students Association in university programs.

Auxiliary to the Durham Academy of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy Hosts 18th Annual Legacy Luncheon

The Auxiliary to the Durham Academy of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy will honor Durham leaders at its 18th Annual Legacy Luncheon Aug. 20, noon at the Durham Hilton Hotel. Auxiliary members are the spouses of Academy members which is comprised of minority physicians, dentists and pharmacists in the Durham community. Sharon Elliott-Bynum and Joyce C. Nichols, P.A. will receive Legacy Awards for their dedication to helping underserved residents in Durham. Elliott-Bynum and her late sister founded Healing with CAARE, Inc in 1995. Nichols was the first formally trained female physician assistant in the country. She established two rural clinics in the northern Durham County area of Bahama and Rougemont.

Duke Professor Writes Inaugural Posting for Huffington Post's New Black Voices Site

Duke University's Mark Anthony Neal, Professor of Black Popular Culture in the Department of African and African American Studies, wrote an inaugural posting for Huffington Post's new Black Voices site entitled "Jumping the Broom to Equality."

Former Blue Devils QB Ben Bennett Inducted Into ACC Football Legends Class of 2011

Former All-America quarterback Ben Bennett will represent Duke University as a member of the 2011 ACC Football Legends class to be honored at the league's championship game in Charlotte on December 3. Bennett quarterbacked the Blue Devils from 1980-1983 - he graduated as the NCAA's all-time leading passer and currently ranks sixth on the league's career passing chart.

Durham Entrepreneurial Businesses Among North Carolina "Companies to Watch"

Durham-based entrepreneurial businesses Spoonflower, BioAgilytix Labs, Chimerix, Expression Analysis, Geomagic, Replay Photos and Riley Life Logistics have been named to the list of 25 North Carolina "Companies to Watch" by CED, a Durham nonprofit.

Duke University Sees Record Numbers of Applicants for Class of 2015

Duke University saw a record 29,526 applications for the class of 2015, an increase of 10.5 percent from the previous year. Of the students accepted to Duke 43.6 percent intend to enroll. In 2010 that percentage was 41.5 percent and in 2009, 40.8 percent. Duke officials consider this year's 2.5 percent increase part of a significant trend and an indication that things are continuing to move in a positive direction.

Durham City Planning Supervisor Earns NCAZO Member of the Year

The North Carolina Association of Zoning Officials (NCAZO) has selected Durham City Planning Supervisor Grace D. Smith, AICP, CZO, as the 2011 Member of the Year. The award is presented to an active NCAZO member who has distinguished themselves by loyalty and dedication to the association’s affairs. Smith is the first member in the organization’s 30-year history to be awarded both the NCAZO Zoning Official of the Year in 2009 and the NCAZO Member of the Year in 2011.