The Forest at Duke gifts $100,000 to the Wynn SunTrust Scholarship Endowment

Durham Tech is in the final year of a campaign to double endowment funds to $5 million for future scholarships and other institutional priorities. Learn more about giving today at www.durhamtech.edu/endowments. 

The Forest at Duke, a continuing care retirement community, has made a multi-year commitment of $100,000 to the Dr. Phail Wynn, Jr. SunTrust Foundation Scholarship Endowment to support students of color at Durham Technical Community College. 

The endowment was named after the late Dr. Phail Wynn, Jr., former president of Durham Tech who served at the College for 27 years and was the first African-American community college president in North Carolina. 

Wynn, a renowned leader and mentor, was passionate about the community and served on numerous corporate boards and civic organizations.

Anita Holt, Chief Executive Officer of The Forest at Duke since 2015, said Wynn served on the Board of Directors at The Forest when she was hired and had an outstanding passion for community building. 

Holt’s personal connection with Dr. Wynn, led her to make a commitment to his endowment and develop a pipeline for internships and job opportunities at The Forest for Durham Tech students and graduates. 

“I have never worked for someone so supportive. Phail helped us grow in vision and in governance. I can’t say enough good things about him,” said Holt. “Phail was such a connector of and for people. His legacy is not in buildings but in the lives of the people he served, mentored, and championed throughout his career.”

Upon his retirement from Durham Tech in 2007, colleagues and community members established a scholarship at Durham Tech in honor of Wynn for public high school graduates or high school equivalency completers from Durham and Orange counties, with a focus on male students of color. 

Following Wynn’s passing in 2018, SunTrust Bank and many community partners significantly expanded the award through a giving challenge.

“Dr. Wynn saw the potential inside every person who desired something more, and he knew how a college education could improve that person’s life and career path,” said Melissa Chappell, Durham Tech Foundation Executive Director.

Durham Tech students or graduates interested in internship or career opportunities at The Forest at Duke can, contact HR@forestduke.org or Christy Walker at walkerc@durhamtech.edu. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION  
Desiree Towson, M.S.: Durham Tech Communications and Public Relations Coordinator at allisontowsond@durhamtech.edu