The Tom Show

Developing a Resource Center in Rural Uganda

March 30th, 2009

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The Rural Agency for Sustainable Development (RASD) is a Ugandan non-governmental organization (NGO) based in Nkokonjeru dedicated to providing free or low-cost information about sustainable living to the local community. This project focused on enabling RASD to achieve their goals by finishing construction on the 1000 sqft main facility, providing a solar power station rated at 162 watts, providing a low power 40 watt computer cluster composed of 2 Linux computers, furnishing the cluster with a digital library of 1500 books focused on appropriate technology, and providing a Universal Nut Sheller made by the Full Belly Project for increasing the value of locally harvested coffee. The project was a partnership between the Duke University chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB), the Duke Smart Home Program, and RASD. All systems were implemented at 100% functionality and all supplies were either commodities, or were sourced locally. Local labor was utilized for the implementation effort, and relationships were formed with local solar providers and local computer providers for both short and long-term maintenance needs. It is our hope that RASD will not only become a powerful source for public information, but also become a rally point for future outreach programs such as Duke Engage.

Complete Uganda Report

Uganda

Mulch Fundraiser for Duke Engineers Without Borders

March 5th, 2009

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The Duke Chapter of Engineers Without Borders is running a program to raise funds for an emergency bridge in Bolivia. The local chapter will be selling mulch by the bag for prices lower than those found at local home retail stores. Participants can pick up bags of shredded, hard-wood mulch on Duke’s East Campus and make a donation to the project at the same time. All mulch can be collected on March 21st, 2009 for orders received by March 12th.
See the flyer for details.

Order now by credit card here, or see the flyer for mail-order instructions.

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Uganda Slideshow

February 16th, 2009

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More photos here >>

In summer 2008, Duke Smart Home Program teamed up with Engineers Without Borders to deliver a solar power station, some low power computers, and a digital library to a rural village in Uganda. Now you can see the slideshow of the trip.

Uganda

RadioAC wins Elevator Pitch Contest!

December 5th, 2008

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RadioAC, my start-up company, won the social track of the 1st phase of the Duke Startup Challenge! The first phase of the start-up challenge is an elevator pitch contest, where contestants each have 120 seconds to pitch a business idea to a panel of judges.

You can read all about my company and a transcript of the pitch at RadioAC.com

Entrepreneurship, RadioAC

Durham Holiday Shoebox Drive

November 5th, 2008

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Durham Parks and Recreation will be conducting its 4th Annual Holiday Shoebox drive beginning Monday, October 20, 2008. The Shoebox Drive began as an effort to meet the basics needs of some of the children in DPR’s after school programs. Last year, because of the generosity of City staff and members of the community, approximately 250 children received a gift of basic necessities such as soap, toothpaste, a toothbrush, a hairbrush, and socks as well as toys and clothing.

DPR serves 339 children ages 5-12 and 60 teens in our after school programs. Forty percent of these children qualify for a needs-based fee reduction of our program cost. These families struggle all year with providing even the most basic necessities; the holidays are an especially difficult time for them. The basic shoebox should include, but is not limited to:

Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Shampoo and conditioner, Hairbrush, Small, age-appropriate toy(s), Gloves, socks, hat, etc.

I will be coordinating the assembly of a group of shoeboxes for those people who are interested in donating a shoebox, but do not have time to put one together. For those who donate, I will coordinate the assembly and delivery of a shoebox to the Durham Parks and Recreation Department. The basic shoe box has a cost of $20, but any amount is appreciated and will be put towards the assembly of complete shoeboxes.Major credit cards are accepted.

100% of contributions will be used to create shoeboxes. Unfortunately, donations are not tax-deductible.

Durham

Tom Works for Verity Asset Management

July 3rd, 2008

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As of July 16th, I will have the great fortune of working for Verity Asset Management. I am lucky to be able to work directly with the founding principals of the company in an area that I am so passionate about. At Verity, I’ll be working in the area of wealth management. I’ll be working with individuals to accumulate, allocate, and manage wealth.

Finance

Smart Home earns LEED Platinum

July 3rd, 2008

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Duke Smart Home has just earned LEED Platinum certification from the US Green Building Council. LEED Platinum is generally accepted to be the highest level of green building awards.

With this award, Smart Home becomes 1 of only 52 LEED Platinum buildings world wide (new construction).

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My father and I hike the Grand Canyon

March 31st, 2008

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My father and I took a trip out to the Grand Canyon and hiked to the bottom and back to see the Colorado river and the historic Phantom Ranch. More Pics Here >>

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Prez Tours Smart Home

March 2nd, 2008

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Duke President Richard Brodhead tours Smart Home with our illustrious student group. Here he is signing the guest book. He promised to come back for dinner when students move in with a presidentially selected turkey.

Smart Home