Derwin Cordell traveled to New York City earlier this month to see Jay-Z perform at Yankee Stadium. Photo courtesy of Derwin Cordell.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really love the PTO and how it accrues with Duke,\u201d Cordell said. \u201cIt gives you plenty of time to take off and do these kinds of things.\u201d<\/p>\n
The trip in July was a whirlwind as the pair began driving to the northeast on a Thursday evening after work. After an overnight stop in Maryland, they made it to Manhattan Friday afternoon.<\/p>\n
After getting some help from locals navigating the subway route to the concert venue, Yankee Stadium, the couple got to enjoy the first night of a three-night residency for Cordell\u2019s favorite artist. With appearances from his wife and fellow superstar Beyonc\u00e9, and one-time rival Nas, Jay-Z played classics from his 1996 album \u201cReasonable Doubt.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe show was so great, it was awesome,\u201d Cordell said. \u201cHe had such stage presence. It had me standing up the whole time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordell\u2019s winning photo earned him a 24-can cooler courtesy of Duke University Stores<\/a>.<\/p>\n As the Duke Time Off campaign hits the home stretch, staff and faculty are encouraged to share photos of summer fun near and far and any other moments that capture how they\u2019re enjoying time away from work.<\/p>\n One Duke-themed prize, courtesy of Duke University Stores, has been given away about once every two weeks throughout the summer. All eligible photos\u00a0taken and shared between May 20 and 12 p.m. on Aug. 3, 2026, will be entered to win grand prizes, courtesy of the following Duke entities:\u00a0<\/p>\n A \u201cClassic Package for Two\u201d ($425 value) at the\u00a0Washington Duke Inn<\/a>. The package includes a king or double\/double room for one night and full breakfast for two in the Vista Room or room service. Sunday brunch is not eligible.<\/p>\n A lemur tour for four at the\u00a0Duke Lemur Center<\/a>.<\/p>\n Two winners will each receive a pair of tickets to a\u00a0Duke Arts Presents<\/a>\u00a0performance.\u00a0<\/p>\n A $50\u00a0Duke Dining\u00a0<\/a>gift card will go to an eligible staff or faculty member on social media who tags Working@Duke in their photo\u00a0and\u00a0follows us.<\/p>\n Follow Working@Duke and the Duke Time Off campaign (#DukeTimeOff) on\u00a0Instagram,\u00a0Facebook, and\u00a0X and subscribe to Working@Duke\u2019s\u00a0YouTube channel.\u00a0<\/p>\n Grand prize winners will be announced on\u00a0Working@Duke<\/a>\u00a0in late August.<\/p>\n Send story ideas, shout-outs and photographs through our story idea form<\/a> or\u00a0write\u00a0working@duke.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n Follow Working@Duke on\u00a0X (Twitter)<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0and subscribe on\u00a0YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n