KARSH ALUMNI AND VISITORS CENTER
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WELCOME HOME, BLUE DEVILS!

Never before have Duke alumni had a place to call their own on campus. Now it’s here—the new Karsh Alumni and Visitors Center. Located at the gateway of campus, at the corner of Chapel Drive and Duke University Road, the new center is the first stop for alumni like you returning to campus. Start your journey here. Get tips for planning your day. Relax with old and new friends in our lobby.

This is your Duke “living room,” and we’re excited to welcome you home.

9 THINGS TO DO AT KARSH

What’s an Alumni Center Good for, Anyway?

  1. Plan your day

    Your first stop on campus! Start at the front desk to plan your day and get tips on where to go and what to see.

  2. Hang out

    Meet up with old friends (and make some new ones).

    photo of people sitting

  3. Grab a Snack

    Visit the Roth Family Market.

    photo of the market

  4. Learn new things

    Learn something new about Duke history, notable alumni and campus happenings on our touch-screen digital wall. Want a customized digital experience? Don't forget to download the Duke Alumni app and enable the "Visitor Center Experience" setting.

    wide view of the tech wall

  5. reunions central

    Beginning in 2020, Reunions Weekend for all undergraduate alumni will be hosted at the center.

    photo of a bunch of people in the main event space

  6. Stretch out

    Break up a day of walking around campus by relaxing on one of the comfy couches or chairs in the atrium. This is your Duke living room, after all.

    photo of the main event space with couches

  7. Visit the library

    See books written by alumni and find your photo in an old Chanticleer yearbook in the Howard Family Library, located in Forlines House.

    photo of the library

  8. People-watch

    You never know who will drop by, maybe even a few famous Blue Devils!

    photo of the Blue Devil standing outside

  9. Go outside

    Explore the center’s outdoor spaces: Cartwheeling in the quad or walking through the arcades? It’s up to you!

DID YOU KNOW?

icon of a tree

Several wood components of the center are made from Alaskan cedar and reclaimed wood from Duke Forest.

What is "the wall?"

Located within our technology hall, the 8-foot digital wall allows visitors to learn about campus happenings, Duke history, who else is on campus and more.

icon of fire

The fireplace in the Moyle Boardroom is made of Duke stone, a signature feature of many buildings on campus including the Duke Chapel.

Who designed the historic home now known as the Forlines House?

Julian Abele, a prominent African-American architect and chief designer of West Campus. Many of the finishes in the renovated building include original wood floors, fireplaces and moldings.

icon of a watering can

Plants and flowers from the Sarah P. Duke Gardens are a key feature of the center's landscaping.

When was the Duke yearbook, the Chanticleer, first published?

1912. The full collection is on display in the new Howard Family Library, located in Forlines House. Also see a collection of books written by alumni while you're there.

icon of a music note

These acoustic panels, along with many other details throughout the center, are inspired by the Gothic architecture of campus.

Déjà vu?

The grassy, outdoor quad located in the center of the alumni center complex is designed to mimic Duke’s West campus quad.

Timeline

the constitution of the alumni association of trinity college

1858

The alumni association of "Normal College," a predecessor of Trinity College and later Duke University, is established with 41 registered alumni.

old black and white photo of alumni in front of a building

1891

Trinity College sets its course with a new charter that requires one-third of the Board of Trustees to be alumni.

1915

The Trinity Alumni Register debuts — a quarterly booklet for alumni that includes campus news, an alumni directory and letters and articles contributed by alumni.

forlines house sign at 614 chapel drive

1970s

The Duke Alumni Association relocates from Duke's former West Union (now the Brodhead Center) to 614 Chapel Drive at the entrance of campus. The building later is named the “Forlines House” in honor of John Forlines '39, former university trustee and DAA Board president.

Stanford building with palm trees in front

2014

On a trip to Stanford with the Duke Board of Trustees, philanthropist and former board chairman David Rubenstein '70 sees the Stanford alumni center and says, “This is what Duke needs!" The idea for the Duke alumni and visitors center is born.

homepage of the alumni network

2016

The Duke Alumni Association launches a virtual alumni directory (alumni.duke.edu) to keep alumni connected to each other, find events and stay engaged with Duke.

beginning construction happenings at karsh

2017

The new alumni and visitors center starts to take shape across the street from the old one. It is named in recognition of a lead gift by Martha L. Karsh in honor of her husband Bruce A. Karsh ’77, recipient of the 2016 University Medal.

construction of the arches in karsh

2018

The center exteriors and interiors are designed with a “distinctly Duke” theme in mind, blending original and modern elements as a testament to the university’s rich history and its promising future forward.

blue devil holding the door open to karsh.

2019

The new Karsh Alumni and Visitors Center opens to the public with a grand opening celebration on Founders’ Weekend, Sept. 26-28.

#HelloKarsh

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