60 for 60: Founding Board of Trustees faced industrial shifts, racial conflict

In celebration of Durham Technical Community College’s 60th anniversary, the College is publishing 60 for 60 – a storytelling campaign that highlights the people, places, and events that have progressed and shaped the College’s six decades of impact. To view more 60 for 60 stories, visit www.durhamtech.edu/60for60. 

When Durham Industrial Education Center opened its doors in 1961, it was a triumph for Durham County leaders who saw the Center as a place to join two needs: a rapidly shifting industrial economy and the need to train Black and White residents for those jobs.

Following county and state legislation to invest in training centers, the County paid $500,000 to Durham Industrial Development Corporation (DIDCO) for a swath of land along Lawson Street 

Eight board members -- George W. Newton, Nathaniel B. White, Dr. Sherwood Githens Jr., Hyland R. McDaniel, Leo A. Downey, Donnie A. Sorrell, Edward L. Phillips, and Robert Lyon -- were the founding Trustees for the Center.

While four buildings were being constructed on the now main campus, training courses were offered at two city schools, Erwin Mills, General Telephone Company, and Duke Hospital. According to reporting from the period, some officials opposed the Center be open to Black residents but local leaders reached an agreement to ensure the Center would be open to all men, women were later admitted.

The Board held their first meeting on July 25, 1963 and appointed Lyon as chairman and Philips as vice-chairman. During this meeting, they also established that board members would serve a minimum of two-year terms.

The diverse board had deep engagement and oversaw huge growth in the first decades of the College’s existence. As Research Triangle Park continue to grow, so did industries and technical companies in the regions.

Some brief highlights of each founding Trustee member include:

• George W. Newton graduated in 1939 from Durham High School and served an apprenticeship at Duke University in instrument making. He was appointed by the Commissioner of Durham County and served on the board for 26 years and nine as chairman.
• Nathaniel B. White was the 1st African American Board of Trustee member. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in printing education from Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) and graduated in 1937. He was appointed by the Commissioner of Durham County and served 32 years as a Trustee member. 
• Sherwood Githens Jr. attended UNC-Chapel Hill to obtain his Ph. D in physics and graduated in 1936. He was appointed by Durham County Board of Education and served 8 years as a trustee member.
• Donnie A. Sorrell served on the board for 8 years, July 1963 until August 1971. He also served as chairman for the first finance committee who played a vital role in securing funds for the College.
• Edward L. Phillips attended Duke University to receive his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1925 and masters in 1935. He served on the board for 17 years from 1963 until 1980 and became chairman of the board in 1971.
• Robert L. Lyon attended Fishburn Military School and Duke University. He served on the board for 17 years, from 1963 until August 1980. He served as chairman until 1971 and continued to serve at Durham Tech as a member of the Technical Scholarships Committee. 
• Leo A. Downey and Hyland McDaniel both served on the board for two years from 1963 until 1965.

For more information, contact Desiree Towson, M.S., Communications and Public Relations Coordinator, at allisontowsond@durhamtech.edu.