Duke University Makes Claim on Estate of Aubrey McClendon

The late oil magnate Aubrey McClendon held his alma mater in such high regard that he built the headquarters of his company in the image of Duke University’s campus.  And back in Durham, N.C., the feeling was mutual: There’s the McClendon Commons and McClendon Tower, McClendon Plaza and the Kathleen Upton Byrns McClendon Pipe Organ. All told, Mr. McClendon gave more than $20 million to the school where he met his wife, sent his children and connected with the friend who would help bankroll his rise.  Now, Duke is making a claim against the Chesapeake Energy Corp. co-founder’s estate, claiming it is owed almost half the $18.75 million he recently pledged, even though he died before he could make good on it.