Hilliard a student panelist for Duke Forward project

A Hillsboro High School graduate was one of 10 Duke University students selected to be a part of the school's capital fundraising campaign, "Duke Forward," that was launched Saturday evening at Cameron Indoor Stadium on the Duke campus.

Holly Hilliard, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Hilliard of Hillsboro and a 2009 HHS graduate, was part of a student panel that discussed their experiences at Duke University, and how the scholarship program has helped them.

Hilliard has been on the university's dean's list in each of her years at Duke. She will graduate in May 2013 with a major in English and a minor in music. Hilliard also is one of the managing editors of the Duke Chronicle, the student newspaper.

Duke University officials on Saturday, Sept. 29 announced the launch of a $3.25 billion fundraising campaign whose strategic goals include enriching the Duke experience, activating Duke's power for the world and sustaining the university's momentum.

The comprehensive campaign, "Duke Forward: Partnering for the Future," will support priorities across Duke's 10 schools, Duke Medicine and a range of university programs.

"The generosity and vision of our supporters have propelled our rise to the very top tier of universities," said Duke President Richard H. Brodhead. "Through Duke Forward, we will capitalize on our university's spirit of innovation and partnership to help shape new solutions and train the leaders and problem-solvers our world requires."

A new website, dukeforward.duke.edu, will illustrate the priorities of the campaign, feature campaign news and highlight opportunities for university supporters to become involved.

In addition to Hilliard, who is an English major at Duke, other student panelists included Abby Johnston and Nick McCrory, who were Olympic medalists in diving in London.