Image
News
Sophomores Mark a Meaningful Milestone at Duke’s Halfway There Celebration
Loading...
Class of 2027 sophomores boast major t-shirts at last year’s Halfway There
For Duke sophomores, being “halfway there” is not simply about time passed. It is about growth realized, relationships built, and the promise of the journey still to come.
Each spring, Duke sophomores gather to mark a pivotal moment in their undergraduate journey at the annual Halfway There celebration—a campus tradition that invites students to pause, reflect, and look ahead as they reach the midpoint of their time at Duke. The event creates space for students to reconnect with friends, meet classmates from different majors and backgrounds, pick up departmental and residential swag, and recognize the shared experience of reaching this milestone together. This year, the Class of 2028 will gather on Wednesday, April 8, from 4:00 pm-6:00 pm at Duke’s Penn Pavilion to mark Halfway There.
The Halfway There celebration recognizes a truth that can be easy to miss amid busy schedules, demanding coursework, and packed calendars: making it halfway through college is an accomplishment worth honoring. For Duke sophomores, the event offers a moment to take stock of how far they’ve come since arriving on campus and to consider how they want to shape the remainder of their college experience.
The tradition brings together students from across all four undergraduate schools: Nicholas School for the Environment, Pratt School of Engineering, Sanford School of Public Policy, and Trinity College of Arts & Sciences in a setting designed to feel both festive and reflective.
“As one embarks on the third year at Duke, it’s more than becoming a junior. Your identity changes to being a leader, your major becomes an indelible part of your identity, and you have a greater sense of purpose. In short, it gets real,” notes Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, Lee D. Baker. “This moment gives students a chance to see how far they have come and quickly realize how little time they have left.”
For many students, the first two years at Duke are defined by exploration—trying new disciplines, joining organizations, forming friendships, and learning how to navigate the challenges of college life. The Halfway There celebration acknowledges that exploration while also encouraging students to think intentionally about what comes next: pursuing research, studying abroad, engaging in leadership, and preparing for life after Duke.
"It feels like I was just moving endless boxes into my first dorm room, and yet I've also built an entire life and community here,” shares Trinity sophomore Taraka Volpe. “And, in the same amount of time, that wonderful community will be branching out all over the world."
Central to the event is the message that Duke is a place where students are supported not only in achieving academic excellence but also in growing in their personal endeavors. Campus partners from academic departments, advising, student affairs, and academic support services participate in Halfway There. The celebration reinforces that students do not navigate this journey alone—faculty, staff, and peers are deeply invested in their success both in the classroom and beyond.
The Halfway There event strengthens a sense of belonging and reminds students that community is one of Duke’s greatest strengths. A signature event for Duke’s Sophomore Spark, the Halfway Celebration is coordinated by the Office of Undergraduate Education and Student Affairs. For more information, contact the Spark staff at fsengagement@duke.edu.