May, 2008 Working@Duke

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PRIMETIME FORUM From reduced water consumption to investigating solar energy, Duke is leaving a lighter environmental footprint.

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FISCAL FITNESS Attend the annual Duke Financial Fitness Week May 19-22 for workshops on retirement, benefits, insurance and more.

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SUSTAINABLE DUKE Reusing and recycling construction debris at Duke gives materials a second life and reduces landfill waste.

WORKING@DUKE NEWS YOU CAN USE

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Vo l u m e 3, I s s u e 4

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May 2008

Duke Olympians Liz Wort, coach of Duke’s Women’s Track Team, leaps over hurdles at Wallace Wade Stadium. She is vying for a position on the U.S. Olympic Track Team

D U K E B L U E D E V I L S ’ Q U E S T F O R O LY M P I C G O L D ave Sime – a Duke School of Medicine student dubbed the “world’s fastest human” by Time magazine in 1956. Nancy Hogshead-Makr – a swimmer who overcame childhood asthma to capture three gold medals and a silver in the 1984 Olympics. Randy Jones – a former Duke football and track star who traveled the world – on a bobsled. These former Duke athletes are among about 30 Blue Devils whose quest for Olympic gold is a testament to Duke’s mission of excellence in athletics, academics, research and healthcare. “Duke has always been dedicated to excellence, so it’s not surprising that we’ve had so many Olympians here,” said Duke professor and track coach emeritus Al Buehler, who trained Olympic athletes as coach of Duke’s track and cross country teams. He also is a longtime member of the U.S. Olympic Committee. “The amount of focus, determination and skill that it takes to be an Olympian is something we see at Duke in all areas.” Duke’s ties to Olympic track and field, along with basketball and soccer are legendary, with most athletes competing in those sports. As captain of the U.S. Soccer Team, Carla Overbeck, assistant coach of Duke’s soccer team, grabbed the gold in 1996 and silver in 2000. And Coach Mike Krzyzewski, who helped the U.S. capture gold medals in Los Angeles in 1984 and Barcelona in 1992, is shooting for another win in Beijing this summer as head coach of the USA Men’s Senior National Team. With the 2008 Olympics in Beijing Aug. 8 to 20, Working@Duke explores Duke’s connection by sharing stories of three Duke faculty and staff with ties to the world’s most historic athletic event.

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There’s Buehler, the former U.S. Olympic Track and Field team manager. He’s spent 53 years at Duke, encouraging Blue Devils. Duke also counts among its ranks a star fencer, Leslie Marx. She is an economics professor at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business who competed in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. And there’s Liz Wort, an assistant coach of Duke’s Women’s Cross Country Team and a Duke alumna. She is vying for a position on the U.S. Olympic Track Team and will race in the 3,000-meter steeplechase during the U.S. Olympic Team trials in Oregon (June 27 to July 6). She overcame hurdles, literally, even despite an injury. Here are their stories:

After stretching her muscles, Liz Wort sprinted around the Wallace Wade Stadium track, leaping over 30-inch hurdles. But the three-time All American athlete wanted to improve her speed. In her second attempt, she sailed over the barriers faster. “I’m still recovering from a hamstring injury, but I’m determined not to let that stop me,” said Wort, 24, as she wiped sweat from her brow. “Every time I see an ad for the Olympics, it suddenly hits me that it’s right around the corner.” In late June, Wort, assistant coach of Duke’s Women’s Cross Country Team, will compete in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in the Olympic Trials for a spot on the 2008 U.S. Olympic Track Team. “This will be my first time to try out for the Olympics, and it probably won’t feel real until I’m actually there,” said Wort, a 2007 Duke graduate who joined Duke’s coaching staff last summer. Duke track coach Liz Wort will race in the U.S. Olympic Team trials June 27 to July 6.

>> See DUKE OLYMPIANS, PAGE 5

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May, 2008 Working@Duke by Working Duke - Issuu