Plagiarism Alleged in Duke Commencement Speech

Duke University is investigating whether or not a university student speech at graduation Sunday was a plagiarized model of a scholar speech at Harvard University’s commencement in 2014, The News & Observer documented.

“We are mindful of and worried about these allegations and have initiated a method to have an understanding of the details of the condition,” stated Michael Schoenfeld, vice president for public affairs and federal government relations. “Duke College expects all college students to abide by their commitment to the Duke Community Normal in anything they do as students.”

Priya Parkash was the senior class speaker. Via a community relations spokesman, she launched a assertion to the Information & Observer: “When I was requested to give the commencement speech, I was thrilled by such an honor and I sought suggestions from respected pals and family about topics I might address. I was ashamed and confused to uncover out also late that some of the prompt passages were being taken from a new graduation speech at an additional university. I get complete accountability for this oversight and I regret if this incident has in any way distracted from the achievements of the Duke class of 2022.”

The difficulties with the speech were very first claimed by The Duke Chronicle, of which Parkash was previously the information editor. The Duke Chronicle compared several passages from Parkash’s speech to one by Sarah Abushaar at Harvard.