2015 Press Releases

Archivist David S. Ferriero To Speak at Duke’s Founders’ Day Ceremony
Press Release · Thursday, October 1, 2015

Washington, DC

Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero, the former head of Duke University Libraries (1996-2004), will keynote Duke University’s annual Founders’ Day ceremony. The event will be held on Friday, October 2, at 5:30 p.m., in Page Auditorium, and is open to the public. Duke awarded the Archivist the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters in 2013.

This will be the Archivist’s first visit to Duke since the reopening of the renovated Rubenstein Library of Special Collections, overseen by Deborah Jakubs, his successor as university librarian. The renovation is the culmination of 15 years of work of reimagining Perkins Library, creating new, modern research and classroom space and making the special collections more accessible to scholars, students and the public.

“Having marched in eight Duke Commencement ceremonies, I’m delighted and honored to return to Duke for Founders’ Day and to celebrate the new library named for my friend David M. Rubenstein,” said the Archivist.

See related article: “Blue Devils Receive Rings at National Archives.”

Started in 1901 with the intent "to honor Washington Duke forever," Founders' Day celebrates the founding of the university and the opportunity for the school recognize major contributions by students, faculty, administrators, employees and alumni.

Archivist David S. Ferriero became the 10th Archivist of the United States in 2009. A former director of New York Public Libraries, he is the first librarian to lead the National Archives. From 1996 to 2004, Ferriero was Duke University’s librarian and vice provost for library affairs. In that role, he helped raise more than $50 million to expand and renovate the campus library, developed initiatives for instructional technology and worked to increase public access to libraries and museums throughout North Carolina. As director of New York Public Libraries from 2004-09, Ferriero helped lead the integration of four research libraries and 87 branch libraries, creating the largest public library system in the United States.

# # #

For press information contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at 202-357-5300.

Connect with the National Archives on:
Twitter:  @USNatArchives
Facebook:  USNationalArchives
Tumblr:  http://usnatarchives.tumblr.com

15-125

This page was last reviewed on February 13, 2019.
Contact us with questions or comments.

Top