Duke Magazine recently published a feature story in the Summer 2025 edition, “Making the Most of the Offseason,” celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Rubenstein-Bing Student-Athlete Civic Engagement (ACE) Program. The article explores how ACE has provided over 315 Duke and Stanford student-athletes with transformative, fully funded summer service experiences around the world, from Vietnam to South Africa. Written by Audrey Fenske, the article features quotes from Founding ACE Program Director, Emily Durham, and ACE in 2024 Panama Participant, Delaney Thomas (Women’s Basketball).
“Emily Durham, the founding program director of ACE, believes the opportunity to participate in the program is transformative for Duke student-athletes, giving them teamwork skills in a setting outside of competition. The experience is invaluable, she says, as it is likely their sole opportunity to participate in volunteering or studying abroad.”
‘Thomas believes every Duke student-athlete should consider participating: “The people you meet, the communities you interact with, and the memories you make will stick with you forever.'” – Delaney Thomas, ACE in Panama 2024, Women’s Basketball
Read the full article on Duke Magazine’s website.