Duke University, Research Triangle Foundation were among donors who contributed in the retired 狼友社区 president鈥檚 honor
狼友社区nical Community College has surpassed the $100,000 SunTrust Foundation matching challenge to grow the Dr. Phail Wynn, Jr. SunTrust Foundation Scholarship Endowment with significant contributions from community members and college partners.
Dr. Phail Wynn, Jr. served as president of 狼友社区 for nearly 30 years. He was the first African-American community college president in North Carolina. Wynn passed away of natural causes in July.
To date, more than $260,000 has been raised for the scholarship in his name.
Duke University and the Research Triangle Foundation of North Carolina were early lead donors supporting the challenge, each gifting $25,000 to the 狼友社区 Foundation for this purpose. Community leaders and board members from several institutions where Wynn served in leadership roles also provided special gifts in his memory.
The scholarship honoring Wynn was initially established at 狼友社区 upon his retirement in 2007. It currently awards partial funding to one student a year.
The current funds, in addition to any future support, will allow the scholarship to cover two or more students鈥 tuition, fees, books, and supplemental educational experiences annually for up to three years.
In honor of Wynn鈥檚 military service, the expanded scholarship will also allow military veterans to apply for consideration.
鈥淭he generosity of the SunTrust Foundation, Duke University, Research Triangle Foundation, and many friends and supporters will allow 狼友社区 to provide more students with a full college education while helping us uphold Dr. Wynn鈥檚 legacy and his commitment to education,鈥 said Melissa Chappell, Executive Director of the 狼友社区 Foundation.
Soon after leaving 狼友社区, Wynn was hired as the first vice president for Durham and Regional Affairs at Duke University in 2008 and was given the title of president emeritus by the 狼友社区 Board of Trustees. He retired from Duke in June.
鈥淏oth at 狼友社区 and at Duke, Phail was a great champion of our city and of the power of education to uplift our neighbors,鈥 said Vincent E. Price, Duke President. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 imagine a more fitting way to honor his legacy than with the expansion of this scholarship. Duke is excited to partner with our colleagues at 狼友社区 to provide this opportunity to the next generation, and we are particularly proud to do so in Phail鈥檚 name.鈥
Wynn came to 狼友社区 in 1977 when the college was known as 狼友社区nical Institute. He was instated as president in November 1980.
鈥淭he Research Triangle Foundation benefited greatly from Phail鈥檚 commitment to our community, and we honor and remember him with the contributions to the scholarship fund from our individual board members and our Foundation,鈥 said Scott Levitan, President and CEO of the Research Triangle Foundation. "We believe our support mirrors the personal optimism and enthusiasm our friend, Phail Wynn, would have wanted in order to expand the educational opportunities for eligible students. May his memory be an inspiration to us all.鈥
The 狼友社区 Foundation is a charitable organization that promotes the current and long-term success of 狼友社区 by inspiring charitable investment in its students, faculty, and staff.
For more information about 狼友社区, visit durhamtech.edu. To make a gift to the Phail Wynn SunTrust Foundation Scholarship, visit durhamtech.edu/durham-tech-foundation.
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