Carson & Jeff Howard
By Lauren Smith Hong, Marketing and Communications Director
Every weekend, the extended Howard family – Carson T’76 and Jeff T’76, their three daughters, Sally Howard McCaffrey T’06, Cameron Smith Howard T’09 and Abigail Howard Garabrant T’11, and their families – gathers at Duke Gardens to spend quality time together. It is a family tradition that has become a treasured part of their lives. But the real treasure for Duke Gardens is Carson and Jeff, whose tireless efforts and dedication have been a major catalyst for the Gardens’ growth over the past decade.
Carson and Jeff first visited Duke Gardens as Duke students, traversing its pathways en route from East to West Campus. Although both come from a long line of gardeners, they didn’t fully appreciate the Gardens until their daughters attended Duke in the 2000s. Frequent visits to campus rekindled the Howards’ passion for the place that, as Jeff describes it, “welcomes everyone, refreshes the soul and reminds us of the connectedness of all life.”
Their passion ultimately propelled them to service. Carson joined the Duke Gardens Board of Advisors in 2013 (the year daughter Sally was married in the Gardens) and served two terms with remarkable dedication. Ever generous with her time and talent, she contributed to nearly every board committee during her tenure. Jeff joined the Gardens board in 2017, having previously served as president of the Duke Alumni Association Board of Directors (2012-2014) and a member of the Duke University Board of Trustees (2011-2015). From day one, his expertise greatly enhanced board operations.
Carson & Jeff Howard enjoy spending time with their family at Duke Gardens.
But it is for their service as co-chairs of the Gardens board from 2019 to 2022 that Duke Gardens is most indebted to Carson and Jeff. Little did they know when they signed on to this role that the world would come crashing down with the weight of the pandemic. The Howards expertly and graciously guided the Gardens through this critical juncture in its history, helping it grow in the face of unprecedented challenges. The profound legacy of their leadership during this time will be felt for generations to come.
The Howards continue to commit themselves to the future of Duke Gardens, serving on the Garden Gateway Campaign Committee and providing continued support to annual operations and special projects. For them, it is an honor to give back to the place that has touched so many people in so many ways, including their own family.
For all of this and more, Duke Gardens was delighted to present Carson and Jeff Howard with the Horst Meyer Award in 2024. Named for Dr. J. Horst Meyer (1926-2016), whose passion and commitment to Duke Gardens nourished the deep roots that have created the Gardens we enjoy today, the Horst Meyer Award commemorates individuals who have helped Duke Gardens grow and thrive in the past, present and into the future.
Questions?
Please contact us at gardens@duke.edu.