Welcoming the newest class into the Duke alumni family 

Alumni share their advice with the Class of 2025  

By Adriana V. DiFranco 

When Jack Rhodes ‘24 moved into his office on Stanford’s campus last year, he hung a Duke basketball poster on his wall to make it feel a little more homey. Rhodes had just moved to the West Coast to begin his position as a research assistant at Stanford’s Hoover Institution, a public policy think tank run by Condoleezza Rice.  

One day, a woman walking by stopped and complimented the poster. She introduced herself as Melissa Lan, a visiting scholar at Stanford who also happened to be a 2001 Duke graduate—and as it happens, also an avid Duke basketball fan.  

A few weeks later, the two Duke grads bumped into each other again. This time at a “Welcome to the City” party in nearby Cupertino, an event hosted annually by Duke Alumni Engagement and Development that brings together recent Duke grads with local alumni. That night they spoke at length, with Lan offering Rhodes advice about his career and future plans. 

The experience demonstrated the power of the Duke alumni network, Rhodes says. 

“This simple, little chance encounter really helped give me a sense of connection and belonging at a time when I felt very far from home,” he says.  

Now Rhodes says he is an evangelist for the Duke alumni network.  

“One year out, my closest friends are fellow 2024 grads who I had barely interacted with during our four years at Duke,” he says. “Everyone is navigating post-undergrad life with the same unfamiliarity, and the Duke connection is a great basis for new friendships.” 

Alex Wang ’25, who graduated in May 2025 with degrees in economics and political science, says he’s already had a glimpse of how supportive the Duke alumni network can be. When deciding where to attend college, he connected with a recent alum to help him confirm that Duke would be a good fit. While at Duke and considering law school, he reached out to alumni in the legal profession for counsel.

Wang says he intends to return the favor. He wants to volunteer to stay connected to Duke.

“I am eager to pay it forward and be an active alum,” Wang says.

As nearly 6,900 undergraduate, graduate and professional graduates make their way from Duke’s campus to cities across the world, Wang, Rhodes, Lan and other alumni are offering their advice for the journey ahead: 

• “Do not be afraid to ask for help or advice, even with a cold email or LinkedIn message. Starting a new job, graduate school or moving to a new place are all challenges, but our network is full of wisdom and opportunity. Also, definitely attend the events—especially the watch parties for basketball season,” Rhodes says. 

• Bates Crawford ‘22 emphasizes the valuable guidance available through the alumni network, likening the Duke alumni community to a compass. “It’s something in your pocket that will guide you whenever you need an extra hand.” She adds, “Don’t hesitate to rely on it to motivate you and carry you toward your next thing.” 

• Margaret Stover ‘89 advises new graduates to “embrace curiosity and never stop learning.” She adds, “Build connections and remember, Duke alumni are here to help you however we can.” 

• Recent Divinity School graduate Agatha Nolen ‘25 encourages her fellow graduates to remember, “Every day is a gift. Your responsibility is to ensure everyone you meet feels the gift from you.” 

• Judah L. Jones ‘90 reminds graduates to “Focus on building and nurturing relationships with family and friends. Ultimately, those are all that will matter.” 

• Bryent Takayama ‘24 suggests to graduates that they “Consider journaling during the transition to work-life.” He also advises them to, “Make a profile at alumni.duke.edu and send out brief messages to anyone you’re interested in chatting with.” He points out “that everyone is so friendly, and the conversations are incredibly valuable.” 

• Steven D. Lee ‘04 asks alumni to bear in mind that, “Genius and work ethic are nothing without the right values, principles and empathy for others.” 

• “You will evolve over time,” says Stacy Crickmer ‘94. “You can change your mind about the direction of your life anytime. Your dream job or goals may not even exist now.” 

• Rich Beck ‘79 ‘82 suggests, “Maintain real connections with your classmates as you move forward. Basketball talks about the Brotherhood, but there’s also a ‘Dookiehood’ that can be of great value beyond the Gothic spires.” 

• And John Gromada ‘86 says don’t forget this one thing: “Floss!”