Receiving an honorary degree from Durham Tech at its 2025 graduation ceremony meant a great deal to Steve Schewel.
“It is an incredible honor. To be at graduation with the graduates walking the stage with their degrees was invigorating, seeing them heading out into the world with diplomas and high expectations,” Schewel said.
Schewel has had a long relationship with Durham Tech touching many areas. He was on the Durham Tech Foundation board of directors for 21 years and chaired the board for several of those. He raised funds to establish a student scholarship in honor of former City Manager Tom Bonfield. While serving on the Durham Board of Education, he helped establish the Middle College at Durham Tech, and the affordable housing project Durham Tech initiated relies on funds from the city in an effort Schewel led as mayor.
“I have a strong devotion to the College,” he said. “The mission of Durham Tech is so unique, and they do a fantastic job with it.”
Schewel has lived in Durham since he came to Duke as an undergraduate in 1969. He grew to be deeply immersed in the civic and political life of the community. He is former vice chairman of the Durham Board of Education, served for six years on the Durham City Council, and served for four years as mayor of Durham.
He led the community through the first two years of the Covid-19 pandemic and also led the passage of Durham’s $95 million affordable housing bond, nearly twice the size of any other affordable housing bond in the history of the state.
He is committed to issues involving education, civil rights, homelessness, immigration, affordable housing, reducing gun violence, transit and the preservation of open space, trails and parks.
Schewel founded the Independent Weekly in 1983 and was the publisher for nearly 30 years before selling it in 2012. Schewel also served as a visiting assistant professor in the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke where he taught courses about social movements and political change.
He believes Durham Tech helps move Durham.
“Durham Tech’s impact in the community is massive,” Schewel said. “The College gives a great education in so many practical skills to many at an affordable cost. Durham Tech is crucial to the community. At graduation, I was struck by the diversity of age, race, ethnicity and language,” he said. “The Durham community thrives on diversity. Durham Tech helps our diverse community prosper.”