The Duke-NCCU Bridge Office marked a major milestone on July 30, 2026, as approximately 100 guests gathered to celebrate the five-year anniversary of the office at the Blue Hill Event Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The event brought together university leaders, faculty, researchers, students, staff, community partners, alumni, former interns, and friends for an evening filled with reflection, gratitude, and inspiration.
The office works closely with Duke and NCCU leadership to create opportunities for multidisciplinary collaborations and ensure that faculty, investigators, and trainees at all career levels have access to core resources and services to do innovative research.
The celebration honored the office's commitment to advancing research opportunities, workforce development, community engagement, and meaningful partnerships. Guests reflected on the office's remarkable growth since its founding and the countless lives touched through its programs and initiatives. Among the attendees were North Carolina State Senator Sydney Batch and Ebony Boulware, MD, MPH, dean of Wake Forest University School of Medicine and co-founder of the bridge office.
One of the most memorable moments of the evening was a retirement tribute recognizing NCCU’s Faye Calhoun, PhD, whose visionary leadership and unwavering dedication have helped shape the Bridge Office from its earliest days. The tribute featured remarks from colleagues, friends, and partners who shared stories of her leadership, mentorship, and commitment to excellence. Tears flowed throughout the room as many expressed gratitude for her lasting influence on students, researchers, and the broader community. A special musical performance by jazz vocalist Lois Deloatch accompanied by guitarist Baron Tymas rounded out the tribute to Calhoun.
Throughout the evening, current researchers and former bridge office interns shared personal reflections about how the office positively impacted their educational and professional journeys by opening doors to research experiences, mentorship opportunities, career development, and lifelong professional connections. Their stories served as powerful reminders of the office's mission and the transformative effects of investing in future generations of scholars and leaders.
Lisa Davis, PhD, director of operations for the office, gave a reading of her original poem, “We Are the Bridge,” which celebrated the spirit of collaboration, resilience, and connection that defines the Duke-NCCU partnership and the people who have contributed to its success over the past five years.
Davis said, “This celebration was many months in the making, and I was overjoyed to see so many partners and friends of the Bridge Office gathered. When we first launched, we were truly building the plane while flying it, creating something new while navigating uncharted territory. Five years later, we're no longer trying to get off the ground. We're soaring, reaching new heights through the strength of our partnerships and the collective commitment and perseverance of everyone who has helped make this vision a reality."
Bryan Batch, MD, faculty director for the office, said that the celebration providing an opportunity for longstanding collaborators to connect as well as form new connections. “We are excited about the future of the Duke-NCCU partnership and look forward to another five years of success focused on improving health, increasing opportunities for research collaboration, and contributing to interventions that support workforce development initiatives,” she said.
Undi Hoffler, PhD, NCCU lead for the bridge office and interim associate provost and dean for research, said, “It was a very special event. To have the reflective moment and to see the work that has been done collectively was truly wonderful and a great inspiration in moving forward.”
By night's end, attendees left inspired and excited about the continued future of the office.