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.
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, three Turing Award laureates have been affiliated with Duke University. Frederick P. Brooks (A.B. 1953), software engineer and computer scientist, known for managing the development of IBM's System/360 family of computers; National Medal of Technology and Innovation laureate in 1985, IEEE John von Neumann Medal laureate in 1993 and Turing Award laureate in 1999 Edmund M. Clarke (M.A. 1968; faculty, 1976–1978), computer scientist; academic; developed model checking; Turing Award laureate in 2007 John Cocke (B.S. 1945, Ph.D. 1956), considered the "father" of the RISC computer architecture, Turing Award laureate in 1987, National Medal of Technology and Innovation laureate in 1991 and National Medal of Science in 1994
Alumni
Note: individuals who belong in multiple sections appear in the most relevant section.
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
Foreign royalty and nobility Hashim bin Al Hussein (X), prince of Jordan Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani (B.A. 2005), 14th child of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former emir of Qatar Sheikha Hind bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, daughter of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Prince Charles-Henri de Lobkowicz (B.A.), third son of Prince Edouard de Lobkowicz and Princess Marie-Françoise of Bourbon-Parma
Other
Business
Education
University presidents and administrators
Professors and academics
History William Baskerville Hamilton Kenneth Margerison
Medicine, science and technology
Literature
Fine arts
Religion Jamal Harrison Bryant (MDiv), senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church Kathy Rudy (MDiv, PhD), women's studies scholar and theologian
Entertainment
Journalism and media
Philanthropy Sally Dalton Robinson, philanthropist and board member of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, and the McColl Center for Art + Innovation
Athletics See also men's basketball players, women's basketball players, and football players.
American football
Baseball
Basketball
Golf
Other
Faculty
Current
Former
Men's basketball head coaches
Football head coaches
Duke University presidents
PresidentTenureBrantley York1838–1842Braxton Craven1842–1863William Trigg Gannaway*1864–1865*Appointed president pro tempore during the break in Craven's presidencyBraxton Craven1866–1882Marquis Lafayette Wood1883–1886John Franklin Crowell1887–1894John Carlisle Kilgo1894–1910William Preston Few1910–1924University officially established as Duke University in 1924William Preston Few1924–1940Robert Lee Flowers1941–1948Arthur Hollis Edens1949–1960Julian Deryl Hart1960–1963Douglas Knight1963–1969Terry Sanford1969–1985H. Keith H. Brodie1985–1993Nannerl O. Keohane1993–2004Richard H. Brodhead2004–2017Vincent E. Price2017–present
Major philanthropists Donors who have contributed at least $20 million to the university, or founding donors: DonorTotal amountYearPurposeThe Duke Endowment $1.5+ billion (in 2026 dollars)Williams embodies loyalty to Duke. The Chronicle, 2011. Retrieved August 25, 2011.. Duke News & Communications. February 12, 2007.Duke Endowment Awards More Than $20 Million to Duke University for Nursing School, Library, Other Priorities . DukeMed News. January 27, 2004.Duke Endowment Gives Record $75 Million for Financial Aid 1924–2026 The Duke Endowment is a private foundation endowed by James B. Duke to support education, health, religious and civic life in the Carolinas. Its principal recipient is Duke University. As of 2026, the largest single grant is $100 million in honor of the university's centennial.James B. Duke $40 million($1.41 billion in 2026 dollars) 1924 For West Campus and Duke Forest land, construction, operations and endowmentGates Foundation $270+ million 2002–2026 Selected grants include $46.5 million for AIDS research, $32 million for HIV prevention, $30 million for a new science facility,Duke Receives $35 Million From The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation . Duke News & Communication. May 9, 2002. $25 million for an endowment campaign, $20 million for the Duke Global Health Initiative, $15 million for DukeEngage, a civic engagement program, $13 million supporting development in Africa, and $10 million for student financial aid.Gates Give $10M for financial aid. The Chronicle. February 21, 2007. The full list of grants is available at the Gates Foundation website.Lord Corporation $261 million 2019 Unrestricted.Peter and Ginny Nicholas $115+ million 1999–2023 $20 million for the School of the Environment and Earth Sciences;Nicholases' $72 Million Gift Closes Campaign At Record $2.36 Billion. Duke Today. January 8, 2004. $70 million pledged in 2003 for the School of the Environment fully paid by 2022; $25 million pledged in 2023Previously unsettled for years, historic $70 million pledge to Nicholas School in 2003 confirmed fully paid, administrators sayDavid Rubenstein $100+ million 2002–2017 More than $100 million in total, including $25 million towards a new performing arts center, $20 million for undergraduate scholarships, $13.6 million to Duke Libraries, $20.75 million to the Sanford School of Public Policy, $10 million to Duke athleticsDuke Libraries to receive $13.6M gift, largest in historyRubenstein donates $10 million to the Sanford School of Public Policy.Bruce and Martha Karsh $85 million 2005–2011 For student financial aid Anne and Robert Bass $70 million 1996–2013 $20 million for the FOCUS program and various endowed chairs, $50 million for interdisciplinary researchNew Initiative Prepares Students for Society's Challenges.Edmund T. Pratt Jr. $35 million ($70 million in 2026 dollars) 1999 To endow the School of EngineeringThe Pratt Gift. Pratt School of Engineering. Accessed on June 25, 2006.Disque Deane $20 million($58 million in 2026 dollars) 1986 To "establish a research institute on the human future"Articles About Duke University. The New York Times. December 12, 1986. J. Michael and Christine Pearson $52.5 million 2014 $30 million to the Pratt School of Engineering to advance engineering and science education, $15 million to the School of Nursing and $7.5 million to the Fuqua School of BusinessBill and Melinda Gates $20 million ($40 million in 2026 dollars) 1998 For undergraduate scholarshipsDavid H. Murdock $35 million 2007 For translational medical research by the Duke Medical SchoolMurdock gives Duke $35M for study at Kannapolis campus. Triangle Business Journal. Accessed on September 26, 2007.Pierre Lamond$30 million2026For the department of electrical and computer scienceDr. Steven and Rebecca Scott $30 million 2012–2013 $20 million for Duke Sports Medicine and $10 million for Duke athleticsDudley Rauch$30 million2021For medical student scholarshipsMary Duke Biddle Foundation~$28 million1956–presentThe Foundation's charter requires it to distribute at least half of its funds to Duke University. The Foundation distributed "nearly $44 million in grants" from 1956-2016, meaning almost $22 million went to Duke. Annual IRS reports available from 2017 to 2024 show additional total annual giving of $11.89 million, or $5.945 million to Duke, with a 2024 remaining endowment of $43 million. None of these numbers have been adjusted for inflation.Jack O. Bovender Jr.$27.5 million2006–2014$10 million for Trinity College, $10 million for the Fuqua School of Business Health Sector Management Program, and $5 million for School of Nursing, $1.5 million for a professorship at Duke Divinity School, and $1 million for a scholarship for minority students in the Health Sector Management ProgramRobert Margolis$26.5 million2015–2023For the Margolis Center for Health PolicyMichael J. and Patty Fitzpatrick $25 million 2000 For a center for advanced photonics and communicationsThe Fitzpatrick Gift. Pratt School of Engineering. Accessed on June 25, 2006.Ned and Karen Gilhuly$23.75 million2022To support Duke's Science and Technology InitiativeWilliam and Sue Gross $23 million 2005 $15 million for undergraduate scholarships, $5 million for medical students' scholarships, and $3 million to support faculty members of the Fuqua School of BusinessSue and William Gross Donate $23 Million Grainger family$20 million2019To the Nicholas School of the Environment Washington Duke $385,000($14 million in 2026 dollars) 1892 For original endowment and construction Julian S. Carr N/A 1892 Donated site of East Campus
Fictional alumni
In film
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 (portrayed by Matthew McConaughey) is shown to be a Duke alumnus.
In television
In JAG, USMC Lt. Colonel Sarah MacKenzie (portrayed by Catherine Bell) graduated from Duke University School of Law. In Your Friends & Neighbors, Jules Sperling (portrayed by Jennifer Mudge) commits to Duke via Early Decision. In The Newsroom, Sloan Sabbath (portrayed by Olivia Munn) has two Ph.D.s from Duke. In The White Lotus, main characters Timothy and Saxon Ratliff (portrayed by Patrick Schwarzenegger) are Duke alumni. Duke is frequently mentioned in the show's third season. In One Tree Hill, Nathan Scott (portrayed by James Lafferty) 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 (portrayed by Rob Lowe, whose son attended Duke in real life) graduated from Duke University School of Law. In The Mindy Project, Dennis (portrayed by Ed Helms) majored in economics at Duke.
References
External links Duke University