List of Duke University people


This list of Duke University people includes alumni, faculty, presidents, and major philanthropists of Duke University, which includes three undergraduate and ten graduate schools. The undergraduate schools include Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, Pratt School of Engineering, Sanford School of Public Policy, and Duke Kunshan University. The university's graduate and professional schools include the graduate school, the Pratt School of Engineering, the Nicholas School of the Environment, the School of Medicine, the School of Nursing, the Fuqua School of Business, the School of Law, the Divinity School, the Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke Kunshan University, and Duke–NUS Medical School.
File:Statue of James B Duke.jpg|right|thumb|James B. Duke established a $40 million trust fund, The Duke Endowment, in 1924, propelling the university to officially change its name in honor of his family's philanthropy.

International academic prizes

Nobel laureates

As of 2024, 16 Nobel laureates have been affiliated with Duke University. The following list includes only those who have graduated from Duke or spent at least one year as a postdoctoral researcher/medical resident/visiting professor or two years as a faculty member at Duke.

Turing Award laureates

In the absence of a Nobel Prize in Computer science, the Turing Award generally is recognized as the highest honor in the subject and the "Nobel Prize of computing." As of 2015, 3 Turing Award laureates have been affiliated with Duke University.

Heads of state

Cabinet members and White House staff

Members of Congress

U.S. senators

U.S. representatives

Governors

Diplomats

Military

Law

Judges

Attorneys

Public policy

Mayors

State officials

Foreign officials

Business

Education

University presidents and administrators

Professors and academics

History

Literature

Fine arts

Religion

Journalism and media

Philanthropy

American football

Baseball

Basketball

Golf

Other

Faculty

Current

Former

Men's basketball head coaches

Football head coaches

Duke University presidents

Major philanthropists

''Donors who have contributed at least $20 million to the university, or founding donors:''

Fictional alumni

In film

  • In The Man in the Moon takes place as Maureen Trant, played by Emily Warfield, is preparing to attend Duke in the fall. Emma Seneshen, a character who appears briefly during the film's opening, is also mentioned to be a Duke student.
  • In How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Benjamin Barry is shown to be a Duke alumnus.

    In television

  • In 9-1-1, the storyline of Season 2 Episode 2 mentions that the top recruits want to go to either "Duke or Stanford".
  • In JAG, USMC Lt. Colonel Sarah MacKenzie graduated from Duke University School of Law.
  • In The Newsroom, Sloan Sabbath is mentioned to have two Ph.D.s from Duke.
  • In The White Lotus, main characters Timothy and Saxon Ratliff are Duke alumni. Duke is frequently mentioned in the show's third season.
  • In One Tree Hill, Nathan Scott receives a scholarship to play basketball at Duke, though his offer is rescinded when he is caught point shaving.
  • In The West Wing, Sam Seaborn graduated from Duke University School of Law.