PLU is not only here to help you academically, but grad school should also be fun every once in awhile, right? Each year PLU strives to build a strong social community within the Chemistry department through an ongoing series of fun events.
Periodic Coffee: Start and end the week with a fresh cup of Periodic Coffee, served every Monday and Friday from 9:00-10:00AM in the Graduate Student Lounge (FFSC 1234). We are brewing Dunkin Donuts coffee and offering a free doughnut, muffin, or bagel (depending on the selection for the day) with the purchase of a regular beverage for $1. So come on by and start your Mondays and Fridays with a hot drink, some pastries, and fellowship outside of lab.
Happy Hour: Every Friday at 5 pm from May through August, PLU sponsors Happy Hour in the atrium of FFSC (or on the 5th floor terrace, weather permitting). PLU provides a good selection of beverages (beers and sodas) and light snacks to help you unwind from your busy week and socialize with your fellow chemists. It is a great release after a week of work, featuring lots of smiles and relaxation.
Durham Bulls Baseball Game: While there are no professional sporting teams in Durham, there is always the beloved Bulls Baseball Team. Each August, PLU invites members of the Chemistry department to enjoy a game and food in a reserved party deck. Good food, good game, good friends. You really can’t go wrong here!
Summer Sizzler: At the end of August we bring the end of summer to a close with a huge cookout along with the annual post-season softball game between the two Chemistry teams: The Chupacabras vs The Boozers. Everyone is welcome to come play ball, but if softball isn’t your game, that’s ok because there’s always plenty of field space for spontaneous games of frisbee or anything else. Just coming for the food is ok too!
Duke Basketball Campout: Part of being a graduate student at Duke is participating in the annual tradition of camping out for basketball tickets. For one weekend early in the Fall semester, all graduate and professional students gather in a gigantic field with the hopes of getting the opportunity to purchase season basketball tickets to watch the best team anywhere play in the best stadium anywhere. If you can make it to all of the random checks (someone blows the whistle, everyone goes running to line up and check in…this happens any time, day or night, all weekend, and usually much more often than anyone would like) then you are entered into the lottery for the ticket cards. PLU does its best to make the experience as enjoyable as possible for the chemistry grad students, by providing food Friday night and continuing the tradition of Beer Olympics.
Halloween Party: It’s never too early to begin thinking of the best costume for the annual Chemistry Halloween Party. The 2011 party was held at Devine’s and lasted well into the night. Each year new costume categories are announced and the competition is fierce for the great prizes PLU awards.
1st Year Party: In an effort to help the incoming students assimilate into the Duke chemistry community, PLU hosts a party in honor of the 1st year PhD students each fall semester. In fall 2011, PLU hosted a bowling party for all chemistry grad students. Bowling, pizza, and plenty of drinks….now that’s a party!
Christmas Party: PLU helps the Chemistry department plan and execute a party before everyone travels home for the holidays. In 2010 and 2011, the party was held at the West End Wine Bar in downtown Durham with plenty of drinks and sweets. Santa has never missed this event, so you may want to attend to stay on his good list.
Recruitment Weekend: During the springtime, PLU serves as the host for potential graduate students who have already been admitted to the Duke Chemistry PhD program. The visitation weekend is a really fun time where the graduate students get to meet prospective students, talk science, and model our great community here at Duke. If you have any ideas or would like to volunteer to help with recruitment events, get in touch with the recruitment co-chairs.