Bring back Beer Trucks

Like many others, I was very disappointed to see that Beer Trucks was cancelled.

We can all agree that $65,000 is a lot of money for a single event, and we recognize the need to reduce costs. So, find a way to do it differently and cheaper—get creative. However, eliminating Beer Trucks altogether without a viable alternative is unacceptable.

I was on the Senior Gift Committee. I spent a good amount of effort extolling the benefits of giving back to Duke to support its many traditions and opportunities—efforts to ensure that they remain available for future students and to ensure that Duke continues to be Duke, not just another university. Beer Trucks is—and let’s not shy away from calling it what it is—surely one of those traditions to be preserved.

Beer Trucks was the “last hurrah” that everyone looked forward to. We started together as new friends on East, and we ended together as best friends saying goodbye on West. We drank, we danced, we cried with that one kid from Econ 55, we played flip cup with our moms and most of all we celebrated and toasted to our achievements. We did it together, not scattered across Durham. It made our last night as students a common experience and gave us one final reason to love Duke—and one final reason to want to give back.

Just a few years ago, we discussed the Campus Culture Initiative and had visions for events that brought the whole community together. Beer Trucks is one such event—a prime example, in fact—and you’re throwing it away, Duke. Sure, it will be hard to come up with the funds, but figure it out. Really, figure it out. Give the Class of 2011, and future classes, that one great and final memory to cap off their experiences at Duke.

David Melton

Trinity ’08