Entomology graduate students sponsor a special annual seminar, the Mike Duke Memorial Seminar, typically during the spring semester. This seminar series was established in 1988 in honor of Michael E. Duke, a graduate student in entomology who was tragically killed shortly after he received his master's degree from NCSU. This seminar series serves as a focal point with which we honor not only the contributions of graduate students to entomology but also as a reminder of the potential for excellence that exists within every individual.

Each year the graduate students in the Department of Entomology invite a distinguished speaker who has made substantial achievements and represents the standards of excellence. As hosts of the speaker, students have the opportunity to interact with and learn from an outstanding scientist. This interaction allows students to gain insight into their own research and offers a model with which to base their own future careers in entomology. The Mike Duke Seminar is therefore an event to commemorate excellence that is already present and excellence that is yet to come.

Past Speakers:

• 2006: Dr. Neil Tsutsui, University of California, Irvine
  
• 2005: Dr. Doug Landis, Michigan State University
  
• 2004: Dr. Bill Conner from Wake Forest University.
  
• 2003: Dr. Jane Maienschien, Arizona State University, "A Century of Stem Cells, Cloning, and Embryos: Why the Fuss Now?"
  
• 2002: Dr. Wade Worthen, Furman University; "Environmental Stress and Community Structure: Patterns in Terrestrial and Aquatic Insect Communities"
   
• 2001: Dr. Bill Shear, Hampden-Sydney College; "Ancient Origins of Terrestrial Ecosystems"
   
• 2000: Dr. Ken Raffa, University of Wisconsin-Madison; "Can Chemical Communication Be Cryptic? Implications for Predator-Prey Coevolution and Biological Control"
   
• 1999: Dr. Lawrence I. Gilbert, UNC-Chapel Hill
   
• 1998: Dr. Randy Gaugler, Rutgers University
   
• 1997: Dr. Marjorie A. Hoy, University of Florida; "Transgenic Arthropods for Pest Management Programs: Pragmatism, Prophecy, and Prudence"
   
• 1996: Dr. Fred Nijhout, Duke University; "Developmental Perspectives on the Evolution of Butterfly Mimicry"
   
• 1995: Dr. Wendell Roelofs, Cornell University; "Chemistry of Sex Pheromone Communication Systems in Insects"
   
• 1994: Dr. Mark Rausher, Duke University; "Coevolution Between Plants and Insect Herbivores: Pairwise or Diffuse?"
   
• 1993: Dr. Lee Goff, University of Hawaii-Manoa
   
• 1992: Dr. Randall Beer, Case Western University
   
• 1991: Dr. Rick Roush, Cornell University
   
• 1990: Dr. Murray Blum, University of Georgia
   
• 1989: Dr. Donald Herzog, University of Florida
   
• 1988: Dr. May Berenbaum, University of Illinois