North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation awards Durham Tech $50,000 to support the Phail Wynn library collection

 Collection was established by Durham Tech President Emeritus Dr. Phail Wynn, Jr. and promotes chosen topics about culture, environment

The North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation has awarded $50,000 to the Durham Technical Community College Foundation to create the Dr. Phail Wynn, Jr. Library Endowment.

Dr. Phail Wynn, Jr. served as president of Durham Tech for 27 years. Upon his retirement in 2007, he established The Dr. Phail Wynn, Jr. Collection at the Durham Tech library on the Main Campus.

The Durham Tech president emeritus continued to support the collection through personal philanthropy until his passing in July.  

“The impact of Dr. Wynn’s character and generosity continues to be felt at Durham Tech,” said Melissa Chappell, Executive Director of the Durham Tech Foundation. “This special gift from the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation will allow his legacy and wisdom to be shared for generations to come.”

When selecting new materials, the library staff refers to a list of topics that Wynn provided. The topics promote cultural awareness, tolerance, diversity, environment conservation and sustainability, and peace.  

Previously, the staff only ordered nonfiction works. The endowment will enable them to also order literary and fiction books.

“We are celebrating the tremendous legacy of our esteemed colleague the late Dr. Phail Wynn, Jr., by creating the Dr. Phail Wynn, Jr. Library Endowment at Durham Tech,” said Robert A. Ingram, Chairman of the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation.  

The collection is located on the top floor of the library near the Circulation Desk.

The general public is allowed to use and check out materials from the Durham Tech library but will need an ID to enter. For more information and hours, visit durhamtech.edu/library.    

The library also features a quiet room named for Wynn.

“The library is very proud of Dr. Wynn’s collection, and we are thrilled that we can sustain and grow it in the upcoming years to honor his memory,” said Julie Humphrey, Durham Tech Library Director.

When students ask about the special collection, it is a wonderful opportunity to tell them about our inspirational former president Dr. Wynn and his commitment to education, passion for service, dedication to the community, and his vision for the future.”

The Durham Tech Foundation is a charitable organization that promotes the current and long-term success of Durham Tech by inspiring charitable investment in its students, faculty, and staff. For more information, visit durhamtech.edu/durham-tech-foundation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Stephanie Turner: Durham Tech Marketing and Media Relations Coordinator

919-536-7246, ext. 5202; turners@durhamtech.edu