Sanford celebrated 50 years of history - and the future of public policy - during 2021-2022.
Explore highlights in this online year in review.
Research & Expertise | Professional Programs | Undergraduate Experience | Engagement
Duke Sanford: Outrageous Ambition
2021-2022 was the celebration of 50 years of public policy at Duke University. Read Dean Judith Kelley's Message.
Launched in 1971 as the Institute of Policy Sciences and Public Affairs by Terry Sanford, Sanford is one of the oldest and largest public policy programs in the nation. Last academic year, Sanford celebrated 50 years of public policy education and scholarship at Duke University.
This report covers the past academic year during the 50th anniversary, highlighting year 3 of Sanford's strategic priorities and looking to the future of public policy.
Sanford students, faculty and alumni are committed to making this world a better place. This report shows you many reasons how we are delivering on our mission: to improve lives and communities by researching the most pressing public policy issues and preparing students for lives of leadership, civic engagement and public service.
In 2021-2022, we celebrated '50 Years of Public Policy' – past, present and future!
50th Events
This year, Sanford reimagined events in a hybrid format. Sanford organized 12 major events (celebrations, lectures and conferences) during this academic year in partnership with faculty, centers, programs and organizations:
50th Anniversary Kickoff: The yearlong celebration launched September 10, 2021
Rubenstein Lecture: Jim Yong Kim – October 15, 2021 Partners: DCID, WFPC
Wilson Lecture: John Rice – March 16, 2022 - Partners: Polis, CSPCS
Center for Child and Family Policy conference – April 12-13, 2022 Sponsors: Sanford, Hunt Institute, Bass Connections
Duke Sanford Class of 2020 Graduation Celebration September 24, 2021
Program in American Grand Strategy event: Gen. Mark Milley – November 12, 2021
Polis conference – March 28-29, 2022 - Sponsor: Sanford, NC Leadership Forum
Rubenstein Lecture: David Gergen, Michael Sorrell, Judy Woodruff – April 14, 2022
Wilson Lecture: Christine Wilson – September 21, 2021 Partners: David Hoffman, Duke Cyber
Crown Lecture: Jeanette Betancourt – January 18, 2022 Partner: CCFP
Sanford Lecture: Susan Stamberg/Linda Wertheimer – April 5, 2022 Partners: DeWitt Wallace Center, CSPV
World Food Policy Center conference – April 21, 2022 Sponsors: Sanford, EFOD, Communities in Partnership
More 50th Features
- Read the Dean’s special 50th message
- Fundraising – read stories
- History – Read the history of public policy at Duke
- Duke magazine – Sanford was featured in the August 2021 issue, the Fall 2021 issue and the most recent issue
Alumni stories
Faces@50
Browse all Faces@50 in the series.
50th Highlights
View almost 50 videos from our 50th on Sanford's YouTube channel.
- Student feature: Cameron Oglesby MPP'23
- Paul Farmer Remembered
- Student Feature: Ysanne Spense
- Ysanne Spense on curriculum flexibility of the public policy major
- Ysanne Spense discusses why do an honors thesis
- The Francis Lethem Fellowship
- Holiday Wishes
- What are we thankful for?
- Hidden Sanford (social series): Joel Fleishman
- Hidden Sanford (social series) Tower Climb
- A Long Awaited Celebration: 2020 graduation