Bill, Melinda Gates to visit Northgate's "Performance Learning Center" today?

From the piecing-together-the-news beat: There seem to be indications that the world's most famous Harvard drop-out and his wife might be swinging by Durham's Northgate Mall today.

Yes, there's every indication hat Bill and Melinda Gates will be at the W. Club Blvd. mall today. But don't look for them to be hanging out at The Hat Lounge or picking up an OEM copy of Microsoft Windows at CompUSA. (Like he'd need one.)

But no; based on piecing together some various clues, we at BCR expect they'll be visiting Durham Public Schools' Performance Learning Center, housed in the lower level of Northgate.

Mind you, that's a hell of a speculative tip. But let's piece the clues together.

First clue: the Indy's Samiha Khanna hinted at a big visitor in the Triangulator blog yesterday:

The Durham Performance Learning Center, a small alternative high school in the Northgate Mall, is expecting a very important guest tomorrow, according to Principal Danny Gilfort.

Students are expecting someone famous to tour the facility tomorrow, but they’ll probably be surprised when he walks through their doors.

Second clue: An AP story datelined in Charlotte yesterday, describing Bill and Melinda as being on a visit to the state for a "two-day learning trip" on the educational progress of their eponymous foundation. The Gateses are expected to visit former Gov. Jim Hunt in Raleigh today -- and I-85 makes Durham a logical stopping point along the way.

Third clue: The Gates Foundation provided seed funding for Durham's Performance Learning Center, which has a learn-at-your-pace educational option for students who've dropped out and are seeking a non-traditional return to their education.

Assuming we're right -- welcome to the Bull City, Mr. and Mrs. Gates. And try the Cinnamonster, it's delicious.

Comments

[Lauren]

I work with a student who goes there, and they were all told yesterday to dress up for today because Bill and Melinda Gates were going to stop by.

So, it looks like the piecing-together-of-news attempts are correct.

[Wally Town]

The Hat Lounge is pretty cool!

[Walker]

I have been mentoring students there - great program that deserves the attention of such prominent supporters!

[Steve]

Sadia Latifi has the confirmation here, with a pic:
http://blogs.newsobserver.com/bullseye/bill-and-melinda-gates-make-surprise-visit-to-durham-school

[Up North Librarian]

and....It's Homecoming Weekend

[brandon h]

This is probably not a well-known fact, but Melinda Gates received her MBA at the Fuqua School of Business at Duke, which gave her an added reason to be in town, since this is homecoming weekend at Duke.

[Emily]

Melinda Gates also went to Duke undergraduate as well (class of 1984 if I remember correctly) and has served as a Duke trustee. She donated the funding for the French Science Center on Science Drive (the large building that replaced the biology building) -- French is her maiden name.

Not surprising that she'd be in Durham for Homecoming Weekend. She and her family have strong Duke ties.

[ShaunJ]

They should go to the hat lounge, it's awesome!