Think of a Blue Devil in Congress, and Elizabeth Dole may be the first name that comes to mind. But Dole is not the University's closest link to the Capitol.
David Price, a Duke political science professor on leave, serves in the U.S. House of Representatives. Though he has held this position since 1986, with the exception of 1994-96, Price remains committed to the University by maintaining communication with colleagues and administrators, frequently answering professors' invitations to deliver talks and hosting students during class trips to Washington, D.C.
"I don't feel cut off from Duke by any means," Price said. "I work with a lot of Duke friends, have a lot of contact with the University."
Before he arrived on campus for the first time, Price taught at Yale University-where he earned his Ph.D. in political science-as an assistant professor from 1969 to 1973. Price entered the Duke scene soon after and taught through the fall semester of 1985. He led a Congress in American Politics course and an ethics course at the Sanford Institute of Public Policy before leaving to work on his first personal campaign in the 1986 election.
"Duke has been very generous in granting me a leave of absence," Price said. "After I lost in 1994, I was back in the classroom in two months." He left Duke after the spring semester of 1996 to campaign for the upcoming election of 1997-in which he was voted back into the House.
Long before he first took office, however, Price was a participant in the political sphere, becoming "increasingly active politically" as years passed. He served as executive director of the North Carolina Democratic Party from 1979 to 1980 and as chair from 1983 to 1984. Price worked on several campaigns-including former president Jimmy Carter's-where he made several friends, who later "lifted" him when he began conducting his congressional campaigns.
Allan Kornberg, professor of political science, has known Price ever since he became a Duke faculty member in 1973.
"Was it that long ago?" Kornberg mused. He chuckled and said he still gets in touch with Price every now and then, but "only when I need a favor."
Michael Munger, professor and chair of political science, is often surprised at the depth of Price's involvement with the University. Both he and Kornberg have requested Price's presence at their classes before; his experience in government provides insight to students engaged in discussion or debate.
"He's really committed to Duke," said Munger, who has known Price since 1992. He added that the congressman's heavy involvement with the University often surprises outsiders as well.
"[Price] almost never says no-n fact, he's never said no to any of my requests," Kornberg said. "If he's in town, if he can make it, he'll come."
Professors also refer students to Price if they have questions or are looking for contacts.
Despite his continued interaction with Duke faculty and students, Price believes his greater contributions to the University lie in his accomplishments as an advocate for higher education-and that Duke is not the only institution that benefits from his acts in Congress.
"I think that spending years in the academic life made me a more effective advocate for funding and legislation in that area," he said.
Price admitted that he did not know if he will return to Duke or stay in office, though both remain possibilities. "Returning to the classroom is certainly an option. I enjoyed teaching," he explained, adding that his position on the House Appropriations and Budget committees keeps him productive and active in Congress.
"[Price is] very smart, very reflective," said professor of political science John Aldrich. He likened him to a minister-a fitting comparison, given Price's Bachelor of Divinity degree from Yale.
Price, who was a Morehead Scholar while an undergraduate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, even displays his suave political skills in regard to his alma mater and current employer.
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