2024 Cook Awards Ceremony
The Annual Cook Society Awards Ceremony is a wonderful evening of reflection and celebration honoring the legacy of Dr. Samuel DuBois Cook and his dedication to social justice and equality.
During the 2024 event, the Cook Society recognized five individuals who embody Dr. Cook's vision. Notably, in honor of Duke University's Centennial, we also presented a special Lifetime Achievement award to a past Cook award winner.
The ceremony welcomed more than 350 guests on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club.
View the Duke Centennial Spotlight and video honoring Samuel DuBois Cook.
View recap with videos from Honorees Isaiah Hamilton and Rev. Dr. Luke Powery
Nomination Criteria
Each year, the Samuel DuBois Cook Society recognizes community members who follow Dr. Cook's example of social activism and leadership. In that spirit we seek nominees who, in their work and life, have helped improve relations amongst people of all backgrounds at Duke and beyond.
The Raymond Gavins Distinguished FaCulty Award
The Samuel DuBois Cook Society invites nominations of Duke faculty who in their work and life have helped improve relations amongst people of all backgrounds at Duke and beyond. In evaluating nominees, the committee seeks faculty members who display a commitment to the founding principles of the Cook Society:
- Actively nurture a sense of community and belonging for Black people.
- Commit to translate the promise and potential of Black people at Duke into fulfillment and actuality.
- Foster positive and constructive interpersonal and intergroup relations within both Duke University's and Durham's Black communities.
- Cultivate positive relations between Black people and other ethnic, racial, and national groups on the basis of an enlightened appreciation and knowledge of our historic interdependence.
The Raymond Gavins Distinguished Faculty Award celebrates faculty excellence!
Samuel DuBois Cook Society Award
The Samuel DuBois Cook Society invites nominations of Duke staff, administrators, students (undergraduate, graduate or professional) and members from the larger community who in their work and life have helped improve relations amongst people of all backgrounds at Duke and beyond. In evaluating nominees, the committee seeks members of the Duke community who display a commitment to the founding principles of the Cook Society:
- Actively nurture a sense of community and belonging for Black people.
- Commit to translate the promise and potential of Black people at Duke into fulfillment and actuality.
- Foster positive and constructive interpersonal and intergroup relations within both Duke University's and Durham's Black communities.
- Cultivate positive relations between Black people and other ethnic, racial, and national groups on the basis of an enlightened appreciation and knowledge of our historic interdependence.
Recognize administrators and students (undergraduate, graduate or professional) with a Samuel DuBois Cook Award
Please contact the Office for Institutional Equity at
oie-webmaster@duke.edu if you have questions or would like more information.
Highlights from the 2024 Awards Ceremony
Pictured from left: Kim Hewitt, Vice President for Institutional Equity; Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove; Catherine Denning-Jannace; Luke Powery; Myrna C. Adams; Jasmine Hughes; and Isaiah Hamilton. Photo by HuthPhoto
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President Vincent E. Price delivers remarks at the 2024 Cook Awards Ceremony. Photo by HuthPhoto
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Centennial Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Myrna Adams and Vice President for Institutional Equity Kimberly Hewitt. Photo by HuthPhoto
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The Rev. Dr. Luke Powery and Lois Deloatch sing "Amazing Grace" at the 2024 Cook Awards. Photo by HuthPhoto
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