Michael Austin

1 month ago | dukechronicle.com | Holly Keegan |Samanyu Gangappa |Kate Haver |Michael Austin

Republican Jefferson Griffin conceded the North Carolina Supreme Court race Wednesday, ending his unprecedented effort to throw out over 65,000 votes in hopes of overturning the November election’s outcome. His concession marked the end of the last uncalled contest of the 2024 Election. Griffin’s decision followed a Monday federal court ruling by U.S. District Judge Richard Myers, who determined that the contested ballots must remain in the final count.

1 month ago | dukechronicle.com | Ava Littman |Michael Austin |Abby Spiller |Ryan Kilgallen

The Class of 2025 arrived at Duke at the tail end of the COVID-19 pandemic, just as the University was returning to "normalcy." But they soon experienced significant changes to campus life from the introduction of QuadEx and Experiential Orientation to an uptick in campus activism surrounding the Israel-Hamas war. Their senior year unfolded alongside a contentious national election cycle that brought sweeping changes to the landscape of higher education.

2 months ago | dukechronicle.com | Michael Austin

You might not be in the mood for a sports metaphor. I’m often not in the mood either. But for some reason, when reflecting on my time in 301 Flowers, I think of a baseball cliché. My unexceptional baseball career spanned from my rookie tee-ball season at age six to my retirement at age 12. I was pretty mediocre at the sport — in part, because of my fear of the ball. When playing infield, I’d stand worrying about whether the ball would be hit too hard in my direction.

2 months ago | dukechronicle.com | Michael Austin

In a time when graduate students have more questions than answers about the future of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, Duke Graduate and Professional Student Government’s microgrant program offers solutions. The program, a student-run initiative of GPSG’s diversity, equity, inclusion and justice committee, awards funds for graduate students and groups to attend conferences, conduct research and organize programming related to DEI — granting over $45,000 to applicants just this year.

Mar 24, 2025 | dukechronicle.com | Michael Austin

The 2025 Graduate/Professional Young Trustee finalists shared their vision for the University as it navigates changing higher education, research and athletic landscapes at an open forum Monday in Rubenstein Library’s Holsti-Anderson Family Assembly Room.