Anthony Drexel Duke, Founder

Anthony Drexel Duke founded Boys & Girls Harbor, Inc. in 1937 (formerly called Boys Harbor) and currently serves as its President. He was Chairman of the Board from its founding until 1994.

Mr. Duke's background includes many professional and humanitarian honors.   Professionally he has been Vice President of Duke International Import/Export Company, President of A.D. Duke Realty, Inc., Director of the American National Bank and served on the Executive Committee of the Florida Growth Fund.

His distinguished military career commenced in 1941 as Assistant Naval Attache in Buenos Aires.   He served as Lt. Commander in the U.S.N.R., as Commanding Officer on the U.S.S.L.S.T.530, Division Commander of the L.S.T.'s in the Battle of Normandy, as well as in the Atlantic and Pacific Theatres.   He was awarded three battle stars and the Bronze Star.   Additionally, he represented the International Rescue Committee on several missions during the Vietnam War and during the 1983 Mariel Refugee Crisis in Cuba.

The values he has instilled in Harbor alumni were instilled in him at an early age at the St. Paul's School, where he graduated in 1937, and then at Princeton University until 1941.   He has been honored with Honorary Doctorates in Humane Letters from Adelphi University, Long Island University, Drexel University and Duke University.

Mr. Duke's civic duties are numerous and most worthy of note.   He has been a member of the New York City Youth Board and served as Commissioner to that board during Mayor Robert F. Wagner's administration.   His tireless advocacy for youth have included the Big Brother Movement, Speedwell Services for Children, the Henry Street Settlement and he was a delegate at the International Conference on Private Sector Initiatives in 1986, in addition to serving on the Advisory Council of the United States Naval Academy.

He is a Trustee Emeritus Board member and former Vice Chairman of the Board of Duke University, the Rumsey Hall School, International Rescue Committee, Board member of The Achelis and Bodman Foundations, the National Committee of American Foreign Policy, NYU Medical Center Child Study Center, and Duke University's Provost Advisory Committee on International Affairs.   Mr. Duke is also a founding Director of the Board for the East Hampton Health Care Foundation.

In addition to his numerous humanitarian, professional and civic activities, Mr. Duke has been honored with the first ever James W. Rouse Civic Medal of Honor by the Enterprise Foundation in 2005, CBS2 Fulfilling the Dream Award in 2002, Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2001, National Minority Business Council Community Service Award in 2000, Metropolitan Hospital Award for the Harbor's work for children, Living Landmark by the New York Landmark Conservancy, National Institute of Social Science Gold Medal, Save the Children National Award, and has received several Presidential Citations for the effective work of Boys & Girls Harbor.

Mr. Duke is married to the former Maria De Lourdes Alcebo, who is currently the President of Fundacion Amistad, an education and cultural organization designed to bridge relations between Cuba and the United States.   He has ten children and twenty three grandchildren and two great grand children.