DUKE STARS — Oscar Dantzler
 Name: Oscar Dantzler
Years of service: 10
Title: Utility Worker
Department: University Housekeeping, Duke University
Ten years ago, Oscar Dantzler worked in construction. Today, he builds relationships.
Dantzler works in Duke Chapel, and while his job description probably outlines duties such as keeping the chapel spotless and well-prepared for services, funerals, weddings and other events, he describes his role at Duke in broader terms.
"That's where my energy comes from — the students," Dantzler said. "When they come to Duke and leave their parents they need someone older to lead them and help them. We talk about everything. If I see that they're kinda lonely, I try to break that loneliness and cheer them up."
Dantzler opens the Chapel doors at 7:30 a.m. so students can meditate or pray before classes. He also chats with them and makes sure they know about the study room beneath the chapel. In return, Dantzler has been asked to join students on mission trips or to take part in other activities. Students even nominated him for the Duke Humanitarian Service Award a couple years ago.
Cracking jokes and calling the students his "babies," Dantzler bubbles over with pride when talking about the Chapel and his job there. "I thank God for the assignment I got," he said.
"When I came to Durham and walked into the Chapel, I thought, how is something like this in Durham?" Dantzler said. "I love every part of it. It's something words can't describe. Sometimes I find myself just mesmerized, just wondering about it and how it was built."
Dantzler said he can't imagine working in any other building because of the interaction he has with students, faculty and administrators including President Richard Brodhead and Mary Semans the great-granddaughter of Washington Duke for whom the university is named. He also feels honored to work in the Chapel because it was designed by Julian Abele, America's first renowned black architect.
"It feels good to take care of something he and the Duke family built," he said.
Dantzler said he learns as much as he can about the Chapel and its history since visitors often ask him questions, which he's always happy to answer. He enjoys meeting people and making their visit enjoyable. Over the years, he's met many special speakers who've come to the Chapel, including former Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan and renowned writer Maya Angelou.
"In here, you never know who is going to come through the door and who's going to chat with you," Dantzler said.
Click here to see more stories about what it's like to work at Duke.
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