Alumni News

When she completed her undergraduate degree and earned a two-year deferral to law school, Ava Pacchiana ’18 knew she wanted to spend her extended break doing something different. She did, indeed: expanding childhood education for Ukrainian refugees in Poland, walking 600 miles across France and Spain, and joining an organization dedicated to overturning wrongful convictions.

This weekend, Durham Academy graduating classes ending in 3s and 8s will reconnect in the Bull City. Among the moral, happy and productive alums comprising those classes are Braxton Lloyd ’13, Lee Huskins ’88, and Jeb and Anna Hall Quarles ’98, who took some time to chat with us about their memories of DA and where their lives have taken them since.

A former Cavaliers track star, Dr. Krishinda Lee ’04 has come full circle — now bringing her generous spirit and perspective as a physical therapist to her work as an Upper School physical education teacher, coach and class advisor.

As an open space specialist with Durham County Engineering and Environmental Services, Bradley is doing his part to solve the planet’s biodiversity crisis — and he’s had some help from hardworking DA 11th-graders. 

We held in-person reunions and inducted another fabulous class of alumni at our Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony in December. At April’s Spring Alumni Reception, we honored Kathleen Myers Gibson ’82 with the Distinguished Alumni Award, retired French teacher Wanda Moore with the Faculty & Staff Legacy Award, and Chris White ’92 with the Alumni Service Award. Having alumni and friends back on campus made these events even more special. 

Oldham, who has done humanitarian work for three decades, is now helping to lead efforts in the heart of Ukraine conflict.

The Durham Academy Athletic Hall of Fame inducted its fifth class of honorees on Friday.

Masaki Okawa '77 attended Durham Academy for only one year, but those nine months represent decades' worth of impact on his life.

Durham Academy alumni will gather on April 21 to honor Kathleen Myers Gibson ’82, Chris White ’92 and retired faculty member Wanda Moore. The Spring Alumni Reception will be held at 6 p.m. at the Middle School’s Arts & World Languages Center.

Two years of the COVID-19 pandemic put Durham Academy's Homecoming celebration on pause in 2020 and 2021. But with the impact of COVID-19 subsiding, a big DA Homecoming celebration with an alumni barbecue on Friday afternoon, campus tours on Saturday and alumni reunion parties on Saturday night is set for this weekend.

In the eight years since graduating from Durham Academy, Tara Nagar ’14 has discovered a passion for computer science and engineering, made multiple cross-country moves and is now helping to reimagine the landscape of temporary labor. 

Rosati’s message to make the world a better place is being lived daily at the Rosati Leadership Academy.

They are three Durham Academy alumni with graduation dates 20 years apart, spread across the country and living far from Durham — yet all three are committed to giving back to DA. While Tom Beischer ’87, Andy Crawford ’97 and Margie Gudaitis Hess ’07 are more than 14 years removed from their time on campus, staying connected to DA is a priority for each of them.