Merrill Hoopengardner, B.A. 1996
President & CEO, National Trust Community Investment Corporation - Washington, D.C.
1996 Major: Religious Studies and Political Science; JD (2004)
How has being a Religion graduate from Duke helped shape you personally and/or professionally?
"The majority of my career has been in community and economic development. I'm personally inspired by the intersection of faith and social justice. My Religion degree gave me a great foundation in understanding multiple faiths (with a concentration in Christianity) and I also took multiple political science and public policy courses so I was able to explore the intersection of religion/politics/policy - significant forces that shape individual, community, and country behavior."
What advice would you give students in Duke's Religion programs?
"Take advantage of any study abroad programs (I did the Duke in Israel program in 1993) and explore the intersection of religion with other fields of study from policy to science. Religion is a through-line in all areas of culture and life (even for those who are agnostic or atheist)!"
