It was a historic year for Duke, which celebrated 100 years since its founding. But the University’s triumphs, challenges and changes transcended the bounds of campus, exemplifying the global impact Duke has cultivated throughout its Centennial. The Chronicle’s top stories of the year reflect the experience of such a University — and one that will continue to blossom in its second century.
To mark the end of 2024, The Chronicle compiled its 24 most-read articles of the year. Measured by total minutes of audience engagement, the list provides just a glimpse into what The Chronicle publishes every day across its four sections, digital site, newsletters and social media platforms.
For more year in review content, check out our look back at Duke in 2024 and top 10 stories of the year in Duke athletics.
24. Column: Roach took the blame for Duke's loss to North Carolina. But this was a team defeat — and one it needed
By Rachael Kaplan
After the Blue Devils’ heartbreaking loss at home to their Tar Heel rivals in March, many pointed to a poor performance from then-senior and captain Jeremy Roach. Read why Rachael Kaplan thought the long-awaited game’s outcome was actually a team effort and what it meant for the team’s March Madness in her column here.
23. ‘To kill a program’: Duke to close herbarium after over 100 years of operation
By Claire Cranford
“Duke will never be a leader in biodiversity like it was before,” said Kathleen Pryer, professor of biology and director of the herbarium since 2005. Read more about the University’s decision to close the global hub for plant research here.
22. Here’s how much Duke’s top administrators, athletics personnel made in fiscal year 2023
By Zoe Kolenovsky
Interested in how much Duke’s top personnel made in 2023? The Chronicle went through the University’s 990 tax forms so you don’t have to. Read more about these figures here.
21. Pro-Palestinian graduates stage walk-out during Commencement, host alternative ceremony and advocate for divestment from Israel
By Abby Spiller
Following suit with other pro-Palestinian graduates across the nation, nearly 100 of Duke’s Class of 2024 graduates walked out of their Commencement ceremony to call on the University to divest from Israel. Read the story recounting the walk-out and their alternative commencement ceremony here.
20. Students express frustration over Ed Sheeran Founders’ Day concert sell-out, assigned seating
By Michael Austin
“For two hours, Ed Sheeran mania gripped the campus,” said sophomore Lillian Sturhahn. Read more about the troubles students faced to secure their concert tickets here.
19. COLUMN: The WSJ’s new college rankings are a joke. Maybe that’s the point.
By Leo Goldberg
Duke ranked No. 45 in the Wall Street Journal’s new college rankings, and Leo Goldberg had something to say about it. Read his column here.
18. SATIRE: Duke extends winter break through spring, dorms to become Airbnbs
By Monday Monday
How better for Duke to make some extra money to regrass the entire quad (again) than to convert dorms into Airbnbs? Read the satirical Monday Monday column breaking the news of the University’s new venture here.
17. ‘Dodge those questions’: Student tour guides reveal what you won’t hear on a Duke tour
By Zoe Spicer
From the prevalence of Greek Life on campus to high school statistics and Duke’s relationship with Durham, University tour guides shared the topics they’re told to avoid during their tours. Read the story here.
16. The Israel-Hamas war has spurred protests on college campuses across the country. What has happened at Duke?
By Michael Austin
Hundreds of students on college campuses across the country were arrested at pro-Palestinian encampments and demonstrations this year. Read more about what the pro-Palestinian movement looked like on Duke’s campus here.
15. Duke School of Medicine denies lowering admissions standards for DEI goals as alleged by Ben Shapiro, Elon Musk
By Jazper Lu
Ben Shapiro and Elon Musk’s allegations toward the Duke’s School of Medicine sparked national attention. Read how these claims came about and Duke Health’s response here.
14. North Korean defector Yeonmi Park speaks at Duke about her journey to US
By Michael Austin
Yeonmi Park, who defected from North Korea at age 13, faces widespread skepticism for the authenticity of her accounts under the Kim regime. Read more about her speech at Duke here.
13. Duke professor among those arrested at UNC 'Triangle Gaza Solidarity Encampment'
By Michael Austin and Zoe Kolenovsky
A Duke professor was arrested while participating in the “Triangle Gaza Solidarity Encampment” at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Click to read her account of how the arrest unfolded here.
12. Here are the results from the 2024 primary elections in NC, around Durham County
By Jazper Lu
The Chronicle had you covered with the results from the 2024 primaries. For a refresher on the races, read the results here.
11. No. 7 Duke men's basketball throttles Arizona State in Brotherhood Run charity exhibition
By Sophie Levenson
The exhibition game may have been for charity, but the Blue Devils weren’t out to play nice. Read the gamer detailing Duke’s dominant 103-47 showing here.
10. Is it time to be concerned about the transfer portal's impact on Duke men's basketball?
By Myles Powicki and Ryan Hamner
Then-sophomore Tyrese Proctor and then-freshman Caleb Foster remained Duke’s only starters on the roster at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, with seven players entering the transfer portal. Read more about the increasing prevalence of the portal and its potential impact on Duke’s basketball program here.
9. GUEST COLUMN: Racism, fatphobia and child labor: Duke welcomes Lululemon with open arms
By Felix Jones
Guest columnist Felix Jones raised concerns about Duke’s decision to open a Lululemon section in the University Store Aug. 21, pointing to the company’s history of promoting fatphobia and anti-Asian racism. Read his column here.
8. Breaking down the House v. NCAA settlement and the possible future of revenue sharing in college athletics
By Ranjan Jindal
To help navigate the changing landscape of college sports, The Chronicle broke down the historic House v. NCAA settlement that allowed universities and conferences to directly pay players through revenue sharing for the first time in history. Read more about the details of the case and its implications here.
7. Duke admits record-low 4.1% of RD applicants to Class of 2028, overall acceptance rate 5.1%
By Jazper Lu and Mia Penner
Another Regular Decision cycle, another record set. Read about Duke’s 2023-24 application cycle here.
6. Duke admits record-low 12.8% of Early Decision applicants to Class of 2029
By Michael Austin and Zoe Kolenovsky
The Early Decision cycle breaks records, too. Read about the most recent application cycle here.
5. Duke no longer giving numerical rating to standardized testing, essays in undergraduate admissions
By Jazper Lu
Artificial intelligence and college admissions consultants are changing the college application landscape. Read more about the adjustments Duke has made to evaluating applications in response here.
4. Duke ends full-ride scholarship program for select Black students in wake of affirmative action ruling
By Mia Penner
Duke discontinued its nearly half-a-decade-old Reginaldo Howard Memorial Scholarship Program for “top applicants of African descent” in April. Read more about the changes made to the program to adhere to the Supreme Court’s landmark June 2023 ruling here.
3. Duke cross country, track and field athletes describe neglect and discomfort under former head coach Angela Reckart
By Sophie Levenson
Athletes on Duke’s cross country and distance track team spoke to The Chronicle about the neglect and lack of support they felt under their previous head coach, Angela Reckart. Read more about their stories here.
2. Crystal Mangum admits to fabricating 2006 Duke lacrosse scandal accusations
By Dom Fenoglio, Ranjan Jindal, Sophie Levenson and Abby Spiller
Nearly 20 years later, the truth has come out — and The Chronicle broke the news. Read more about the confession that shook the nation here.
1. SATIRE: ‘Colossal ineptitude’: Duke men’s basketball advances to Final Four after NCAA President Charles Barckles fires refs
By Staff Reports
Finally, the Chomicle article that sent Reddit users into a frenzy tops The Chronicle’s list of most-read stories in 2024, tracking more engaged minutes than the bottom 22 stories combined. Read the story about the historic game-result reversal that definitely happened, advancing the Blue Devils to the Final Four.
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Abby Spiller is a Trinity junior and editor-in-chief of The Chronicle's 120th volume.