“Welcome to the Dark Side” Fundraiser
Celebrate May the Fourth (also known as Star Wars Day) and your love of lemurs with this limited edition, glow-in-the-dark t-shirt featuring the remarkable aye-aye! Donations raised through this t-shirt promotion will go directly toward the DLC Internship Program, supporting student opportunities that equip the next generation of environmental stewards with hands-on experience and mentorship.
Please choose an option below:
Mail delivery of t-shirts is available through U.S. regular postal mail to U.S. addresses only. Shipping is free! Tax information can be viewed at the bottom of this page.
Click one option below to proceed to payment:
If you wish to order more than four t-shirts with a single donation, contact Melissa Dean at madean@duke.edu.
If you wish to add another gift to the DLC during checkout, select the blue "add another gift" button at the top of the initial payment page BEFORE entering your t-shirt size(s). Enter your gift information, click "next," and then enter your t-shirt size(s).
By choosing an option below, you will support the DLC's internship program without ordering any t-shirts. Please review tax details at the bottom of this page.
Click one option below to proceed to payment:
$50 $100 $250 $500 $1,000 $2,500 $5,000
$ 8,000 to fully fund a paid summer intern position*
*This is the funding required to fully fund a paid summer intern. If you support us at this level, we will name a 2024 summer internship in your or your organization’s honor!
Businesses are invited to learn more about the DLC's sponsorship recognition levels and to contact Mary Paisley, our development officer, at (919) 401-7252 for more information.
Order your t-shirt(s) by April 19. Shirts will be mailed via USPS, which—if the mailing “force is with us”—will hopefully deliver by May 4. Please note that we cannot guarantee delivery by May 4, and that we’ll continue to accept orders until May 10.
The “Welcome to the Dark Side” design will be printed on the Gildan Softstyle unisex t-shirt in Black. A sizing chart (for adult sizes) is below.
About the DLC Internship Program
The DLC summer internship program is a transformative experience for undergraduate students, providing practical training in field research, husbandry, animal welfare, environmental education, science communications, and fossil collection management. The students who come from all over the country to participate in the ten-week program are passionate about exploring careers in the field and contributing to the mission of the DLC. Nearly 200 students have participated throughout the 10 years of the program.
Until 2022, all DLC internships were unpaid. In looking at barriers to participation in the program, we recognize that lack of pay, transportation, and housing prevent the experience from being accessible to all college students. Summer ’22 was the first year we were able offer some funded intern positions, thanks to support received from donors to cover interns’ hourly compensation for the 10-week program.
Our goal is to have a fully funded internship program, removing barriers to participation and allowing students to fully immerse themselves in the intern experience without worry of finding other ways to make money during the summer. “Dark Side” t-shirt sales will go directly towards funding positions for future DLC interns. With your help, we will bring more students to the “Dark Side”!
Not interested in a t-shirt? Support the internship program WITHOUT ordering shirts through a straightforward donation. We also invite you to learn more about sponsorships and other ways for businesses to support the DLC, including our internship and student programs.
Big thanks to Blue Lizard Screen Printing, Inc. of Durham, NC for printing these unique t-shirts.
Tax info.
Your receipt and tax letter will come from Duke University and the donation portion of your payment will be shown as designated to “Duke Lemur Center, Internships and Student Programs.” THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Questions?
T-shirt ordering and delivery: Contact our Business Manager, Melissa Dean, at madean@duke.edu.
Your donation or other ways to support us: Reach out to our Development Officer, Mary Paisley, at mary.paisley@duke.edu. Please note that after ordering, your tax receipt will come from Duke University.
DLC Summer Internship Program: Contact our Student Program Coordinator, Erin Hecht, at erin.hecht@duke.edu.
