For over thirty years Stephens College have seen the familiar face of Deb Duren around campus. In her over three decades of service to the college Duren made contributions to both the athletic department and the campus.
On Wednesday, Duren announced her retirement from her longtime position of athletic director and vice president of student services.
While retiring from her position Duren’s name and accomplishments will not be forgotten. Stephens President, Dr. Dianne Lynch, announced the creation of an athletic scholarship in Duren’s name.
“She has a value system and a set of commitments around what it means to be a student athlete that really speaks to the values and commitment of Stephens College,” Lynch said.
Since her time in the athletic department Duren has not only expanded the program, but created a relationship between the department and the campus.
The Sports Information Director Adam Samson finds that Duren was pivotal in the evolution of athletics at the women’s college.
“No one understands that role that athletics can have a campus setting, especially in a small liberal arts college like Stephens, like Deb does,” Samson said.
Stephens currently has eight sports but over the years the amount of athletics has fluctuated. In recent years the college has even added athletics as one of its pillars.
“Even though the wins and losses haven’t always been there, her guidance and leadership for the athletic department has been through the roof for us,” Samson said.
Duren’s contributions to the college are not contained within the athletic departments.
“Deb was the person you go to on this campus, no matter what your problem, no matter what question, no matter what your concern, no matter what your inspiration,” Lynch said. “She has just been that person in our community, for as long as anyone can remember, who is just there for you all the time.”
Since Lynch’s start at Stephens six years ago, Duren has served as her mentor instilling her with the values of committing to the students first. For Lynch, Duren was more then a mentor but an inspiration to the entire community at Stephens.
“There is no question that this institution, this community, this culture will feel deeply the absence of Deb Duren on our campus,” Lynch said.
Lynch and other members of the Stephens community plan to take a piece of her wherever they go.
While the school will begin searching for a new athletic director they will continue to follow the vision and commitment Duren had for a women’s athletic program.
“She represents the very best of what makes Stephens College special and that’s building a sense of community and for us in the athletic department it’s through a commitment to both athletics and academics,” Samson said.
