What celebrity does Michael Munger, Earl D. McLean professor of political science, think would play him on the big screen? What is the oddest thing Peter Feaver, Alexander F. Hehmeyer professor of political science, has eater? Find out now. Chronicle blogger Ziwen Deng caught up with these two political science professors you may recognize.
Graphic created by Christina Peña
The Robertson bus will not be the only thing connecting Duke University’s Class of 2015 with their counterparts at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Freshman at both schools will also be assured a common literary experience: reading the same book over the summer.
This year, Duke’s Summer Reading Book Selection Committee is collaborating with UNC-CH to select a book that will tie both schools’ incoming freshmen together. The Committee, established in 2006, will choose a book from six finalists:
Some freshmen from the Class of 2014 are unsure that the colloboration will impact Duke students’ relationship with UNC-CH.
“I’d say it doesn’t really make a difference,” said freshman Matt Parides. “I didn’t notice any real benefit to the summer reading. The only time I heard people talk about it was at the FAC discussion.”
Others agreed, adding that it takes more than a book to forge a substantial connection.
“Yes, we are rival schools and only fifteen miles apart, but I don’t think having the same summer reading assignment for the Class of 2015 makes us anymore related to UNC than we already are,” said freshman Mia Wise. “I don’t think having the same summer reading book changes anything.”
The Committee is soliciting input regarding the finalists until Wednesday, Feb. 16. Click here to help shape the bookshelves of future Duke and UNC-CH students.
If you know someone who is known as a drinker, it may be time for a little talk.
According to a publication released earlier today, the World Health Organization (WHO) claims that alcohol is responsible for approximately 2.5 million deaths each year, which is a higher total than—you guessed it—AIDS, tuberculosis and violence combined.
The WHO also states that alcohol is the world’s leading fatal risk factor in males 15-59, and has tried for the past year to limit consumption through increasing taxes and restricting marketing.
Though their efforts are well-meaning, you can’t help but feel that the WHO is fighting a lost cause, especially after being exposed to the environment of a place like Duke. The openness of the campus to drinking may even astound some visitors, as freshmen are basically introduced to drinking at the very onset of their college careers.
While such an atmosphere might be conducive to discovering one’s limits, it does carry a lot of the risk that the WHO warns us about. After all, who hasn’t seen a fellow student drink one too many?
The question Duke students—and the world in general, it seems—face is whether or not they can protect themselves from a fatal mistake that strikes 4% of the population each year.
Bronwyn Lewis, a Trinity ’08 alumnus, submitted this to The Chronicle shortly after the UNC game. The lyrics, adapted from The Charlie Daniels Band’s song “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” are an interesting and entertaining perspective on Duke Basketball. Enjoy!
ON THE 7TH DAY, GOD RESTED. ON THE 8TH DAY, THIS HAPPENED:
The devil went down to Durham, he was lookin’ for a soul to steal,
He was in a bind, ‘cause he was way behind, and he was lookin’ to make a deal.
When he came across some young men playin’ some b-ball and playin’ it hot,
and the devil burst right on the court and said “Boys, let me tell you what –
“Now you play a pretty good ball game, boys, but give the devil his due:
I bet a ball o’ gold against your souls ‘cause I think I’m better than you.”
The boys said, “WE ARE DUKE, MY FRIEND, and it may be a sin,
But we’ll take your bet, you’re gonna regret, ‘CAUSE WE’RE THE BEST THAT’S EVER BEEN.”
The devil set aside his things and he said: “I’ll start this show.”
And fire flew from his fingertips as he practiced his free throw.
And when he sunk some three point shots, the net gave an evil hiss.
Then a band of demons joined him and it looked a-something like this.
When the devil finished, the boys said: “Well you’re pretty good, ol’ son.
But sit down on that bleacher there, and let us show you how it’s done.”
The devil bowed his head because he knew that he’d been beat.
He laid that golden b-ball on the ground at the boys’ feet.
The boys said: “Devil just come on back if you ever want to try again.
“We told you once, you son of a bitch, WE’RE THE BEST THAT’S EVER BEEN.”
AND ON THE 9TH DAY, GOD SAID, “LET THE BENCHES BURN.” AND IT WAS GOOD.
GO TO HELL, CAROLINA, GO TO HELL.
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