From the Alumni Board
Serving as president of the Durham Academy Alumni Board has given me a renewed appreciation for the strength and generosity of our community. It has been an honor to serve in this role, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such a dedicated group of board members as we strengthen connections across our alumni network.
This past year, we were proud to continue our virtual master class series, featuring Dr. Ronnie Chatterji — OpenAI chief economist, Duke professor, DA trustee and parent — along with Head of School Michael Ulku-Steiner. Their conversation about artificial intelligence and its impact on work, education and daily life sparked meaningful interest and dialogue among the greater DA community.
We also celebrated another successful Giving Day. Alumni participation was especially strong, led by the classes of 2005, 2002 and 1997. This collective generosity ensures that the DA experience remains transformative for current and future students. Thank you to everyone who contributed and helped make this effort such a success.
This spring brought the launch of the DA Alumni Portal (url.da.org/alumniportal). This platform offers a networking directory and a space for alumni to share updates — making it easier than ever to connect with fellow Cavs and to engage with the school.
Over the course of the year, Michael and Tim McKenna, director of alumni philanthropy and engagement, have connected with alumni across the country, including visits to the Bay Area, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C. These popular gatherings continue to highlight the strength and reach of the DA alumni network.
Looking ahead to the fall, we can’t wait to see many of you at Homecoming on Sept. 25 and 26. Kicking off the weekend’s festivities on Friday afternoon will be a full slate of varsity games and family-friendly activities that promise to be more festive than ever — alumni from all classes are encouraged to join in the fun. And graduates of classes ending in 1s and 6s, we hope you’ll make special plans to attend Saturday evening’s reunion party.
As I pass the baton to incoming Alumni Board President Chip McCorkle ’05, I am confident the board will continue to build on this momentum. I encourage alumni to stay involved and find meaningful ways to give back to the DA community. We are always looking for alumni who would like to serve on the Alumni Board or to volunteer as college and career mentors to current students.
It has been a privilege to serve as your Alumni Board president over the past two years. I look forward to seeing many of you on campus or at alumni events in the years ahead.
With gratitude,