By Barbara L. Micale

Dedication drives Shelley Duke’s commitment to Virginia Tech, serves on Board of Visitors and EMC Council

Native Californian Shelley Duke found her way to Virginia Tech more than two decades ago via the Marion DuPont Scott Equine Medical Center (EMC) in Leesburg, one of the three campuses of the Virginia –Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine (VMRCVM).  Duke, owner and manager of Rallywood Farms for the past 12 years, entrusted her horses’ care to veterinarians at the EMC, and ultimately, became a major supporter of and advocate for the Center. Former EMC director, Dr. Frederick Fregin asked Duke to launch a volunteer program for the EMC hospital.  The success of that program led her to an appointment on the VMRCVM Advisory Committee, and an introduction to the Blacksburg campus, which she embraced wholeheartedly.  She was appointed to the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors by Governor Mark Warner in 2005.  

Currently, she serves as the chairperson for the EMC Council, is a member of the National Campaign Steering Committee, and is a member of the Academic Affairs Committee on the Board of Visitors. She has served on the two-member ad hoc By-Laws Committee responsible for  reviewing and updating the university’s bylaws, as well as  the nominating committee to choose a new rector, Jacob A. Lutz, and vice rector, John Lawson.

Duke estimates that she spends two and a half to three days a week working for the university, which includes frequent trips to Blacksburg. “I do a lot of driving,” she says. “But I feel strongly that the best way to learn about the university and help chart its future successfully is through dialogue resulting in discovery. I want to be a well-informed, effective board member, which means I have to involve myself in as many facets of a most complicated institution as much as possible.”

While there are many issues requiring attention from the Board of Visitors, she is particularly focused on identifying, recruiting, and retaining talented, quality faculty, on attaining greater diversity at all levels of the university, and on furthering Virginia Tech’s commitment to growth in research and enterprise. 

It is very important for Virginia Tech to maintain a base in the National Capital Region (NCR), Duke says, because of its geographic proximity to federal agencies, businesses, non profit organizations, and other educational institutions. “The university needs to initiate ongoing dialogue with these groups both to forge ahead in its commitment to increasing research, and to strengthen and build on the areas of expertise we already have, and for which we are recognized,” she says.

Virginia Tech’s commitment to lifelong learning is also well served by a strong presence in the northern Virginia area, which is experiencing tremendous economic growth, says Duke. “I don’t think anyone can argue that the success of higher education is directly linked to economic growth.”
 
When she is not entrenched in Virginia Tech affairs, or riding her horses at Rallywood, Duke likes to spend time reading, revisiting a love for fly fishing, tending to her potted plants garden, playing bridge or, she says, “simply relaxing,” somewhat of a novelty in her busy life.  In addition to five horses, she and her husband, Phil, have welcomed stray dogs, two stray cats, seven fox dens, and numerous deer who roam freely, around Rallywood. 

For her generosity and service, Duke has been designated a life time honorary Tech alumna, a rare recognition from the university. 

“I’ve served on a number of boards over the years, but serving on Virginia Tech’s Board of Visitors is the most challenging and most gratifying, by far.  What makes working with these colleagues different from my other board experiences is that everyone clearly has committed to the university as a whole, and its mission, regardless of the special university interests of each individual,” says Duke.

“I am very proud of Virginia Tech’s leadership and the strategic direction the university is taking. I recognize the commitment and energy that is required from all in the years ahead.  It is not too early to begin tackling a long range plan envisioning what we wish the university to be 20-40 years out.

“I have the utmost respect for the community and culture of Virginia Tech,” says Duke.  “As more of the world has realized since April 16, Hokie spirit is the embodiment of the university and I believe it will only get stronger in the years to come.”

Posted September 24, 2007