Duke drops claim on late donor’s estate

DURHAM -- Duke University has dropped a claim against the estate of a wealthy benefactor who had pledged millions to the university before being killed in a car accident.

Duke had filed a claim on the estate of Oklahoma oil tycoon Aubrey McClendon, a 1981 alumnus, saying he had not fulfilled $9.9 million in pledges before his death earlier this year. The court filing became public last week when it was reported by The Wall Street Journal.

Duke’s claim was for multiple charitable pledges, reports said, in areas such as scholarships and the football program. The pledge total was $18.75 million, of which almost half had not been paid.

The university was criticized, with some suggesting the move was callous and could turn off future donors. Duke reached a record for fundraising last year, bringing in $571 million in gifts and pledges.

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