2017 DUKE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AWARD WINNERS

Reporter: Christina Holder

Original Link: https://today.duke.edu/2017/09/2017-duke-alumni-association-award-winners

The Duke Alumni Association announced 40 individuals as winners of its 2017 awards. The awards, presented each fall, honor outstanding achievement and commitment to Duke and its alumni around the world. Nearly all winners were honored during Homecoming Weekend, Sept. 15-17. The Distinguished Alumni Award, the association’s highest honor, is presented as part of Duke’s annual Founders’ Day Convocation.

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD

The highest honor given exclusively to alumni, the Distinguished Alumni Award is given to alumni who have made outstanding contributions through their field of work, in service to Duke and toward the betterment of humanity.

Charles Randolph-Wright ’78

As a freshman at Duke University, Charles Randolph-Wright ‘78 was on a pre-med track. But when his roommate showed up to his organic chemistry lab with an extra ticket to the musical Pippin, everything changed. He skipped class and went to the show—a first step that led to a nearly 40-year musical theater career.

THE 2017 AWARDS ROSTER

CHARLES A. DUKES AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER SERVICE: Honoring alumni volunteers who serve in Duke leadership roles and have devoted themselves to extraordinary, long-term efforts that help Duke further its mission. | Ross Arnold ’67, J.D. ’76 and Yum Arnold | Melissa Bernstein ’87 | Dan Dickinson ’83 | David Feldman ’80, M.D. ’84 | Virginia Lang B.S.N.’67 | FOREVER DUKE AWARDS: Recognizing alumni for excellent recent volunteer service to Duke, to the DAA, and to other alumni groups. | Maria Acebal ’90 | Bruce Barlow M.B.A. ’87 | Kate Bennett ’81 | Josh Bissu ’03 | Margaret Brackett ’93| Michael Calvo ’02 | Zela Chin ’03 | Lea Courington J.D.’77 | Debbie Roy Crumpler ’86 | Wendy del Real ’90, J.D.’93 | Claire Florian ’09 | Heidi Guisto Ph.D.’12 | Mary Gregory ’88 | Ana Homayoun ’01 | Nicholas John Leonardy ’81, M.D.’85 | Rachel Mangoubi ’03 | Phil McKenzie M.B.A. ’99 | TJ Morales ’06 | Allen Nelson ’86, J.D. ’89 | Uche Osuji ’95, M.B.A. ’01 | Lynn Rauch ’85 | Ari Redbord ’97 | Russ Richards ’03 | Heidi Eads Spies ’01 | Fred Steckler ’83 | Mark Vahradian ’89 | Josie Witte ’02 | Lynne Wolitzer ’87 | Elizabeth Woodcock ’92 | Gregg Wurster M.B.A.’03LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 2017 HONOREES.

Randolph-Wright says that he was looking for a sign when he moved to New York City following graduation in 1978 because he still was holding out for medical school. 

“I wanted to know, should I go to med school or should I pursue theater? I began to audition, and the first show I got was Pippin. That was it for me. I have yet to enroll in med school,” he says.

What he did enroll in, however, was a life committed to the stage. As Randolph-Wright’s career developed, so did his roles: He was part of the original cast of the Tony-nominated musical Dreamgirls. He led a revival of Guys and Dolls; directed the musical Blood Knot, featuring music by Tracy Chapman; and wrote and directed a musical with BeBe Winans called Born for This. And, in perhaps his most meaningful role thus far, Randolph-Wright directed Motown the Musical both on Broadway and throughout a national tour.

“Directing Motown was the ultimate life-changing event in every way,” Randolph-Wright says, who grew up during desegregation in the United States.

Music, he says, had the power to unite.  

“Motown music is what saved us,” he says. “It’s what brought us together.”

And that kind of experience is what Randolph-Wright says he tries to do every night in the theater.

 “We bring people together, and it is a gift that I get to give to audiences,” he says.