“A Joyful Day”: Dedicating the Wilkinson Building

A beautiful fall weekend brought about a long-awaited public celebration of Duke Engineering’s new Wilkinson Building, one full year after the 150,000-square-foot space first opened in the midst of the COVID pandemic.

More than 200 alumni and friends, faculty, students and staff turned out Saturday, November 13 for the formal dedication ceremony, which recognized the naming of the building in honor of longtime supporters Jerry C. and Beverly A. Wilkinson and their family and honored the many donors whose generous contributions made the facility possible.

“Today is a joyful and historic day,” said Duke University President Vincent E. Price in opening remarks at the ceremony. “This extraordinary building reflects our long legacy of first-class engineering education and our commitment to the future of engineering at Duke. Already, you can walk through these doors and see our students, faculty, and researchers hard at work inventing the 21st century. We are so grateful to all of you for making that happen here, at Duke.”

“Already, you can walk through these doors and see our students, faculty, and researchers hard at work inventing the 21st century.”

Vincent E. Price
Duke University President

In addition to remarks from Price and Provost Sally Kornbluth, former dean of engineering Ravi Bellamkonda and interim dean Jeff Glass, Jerry Wilkinson shared the story of his nearly 60-year engagement with engineering at Duke University, beginning as a 17-year-old freshman on a need-based scholarship. Now the founder and chairman of the Wilkinson Companies, Jerry and his wife, Bev, have a long history of philanthropy and service in support of Duke Engineering, and are parents of three daughters who are also Duke alumnae. (Read: Duke’s New Engineering Building Named to Honor Wilkinson Family).

Following the dedication, Duke Engineering students and faculty led tours to showcase the Wilkinson Building’s education, research and entrepreneurship spaces, and art collection. See below for highlights of the day, and visit pratt.duke.edu/Wilkinson21 for a virtual tour.

Celebrating in the Wilkinson Building lobby

Students and faculty hosted tours of the Wilkinson Building