DTCC's Wynn just taking a break
He's going to Duke to head Durham, regional affairs

By Carolyn Norton cnorton@heraldsun.com; 419-6651

Phail Wynn Jr. may be leaving Durham Tech, but he isn't going far.

A week after the community college announced his retirement effective Dec. 31, Duke University said Tuesday that Wynn will take the newly created position of vice president for Durham and regional affairs.

Wynn will work with the community, city officials, local businesses and the school system to create new partnerships and strengthen existing ones, Duke officials said.

"This is fabulous news," said John Schelp, a Durham activist and president of the Old West Durham Neighborhood Association. "He's a great guy -- a lot of respect in the community."

Duke President Richard Brodhead said Wynn knows Durham, the Research Triangle Park and the region "as few others do."

"His community and regional leadership include many of the most active and important educational, business, government and nonprofit organizations in our community," Brodhead said in a Duke news release.

Wynn's appointment means John Burness will take on a slightly different role. Burness, as senior vice president for public affairs and government relations, has for many years worked on community relationships.

With Wynn working with Durham, Burness said he will focus on public affairs and federal and state programs.

He said he recommended Wynn, who is well-known among Durham and the business community, for the position. Burness said it will free him to promote Duke's programs.

"Partly because of the last year, we really have to be focusing on public appreciation of our programs," Burness said. "This will enable me to focus more on the communication aspect."

In a memo to deans and officers at Duke, Brodhead said Wynn will develop and launch a strategic plan for Duke's relations with Durham and the region, including accelerating economic renewal near the campus, collaborating with Research Triangle Park and developing partnerships with the Durham Public Schools.

He'll also work to secure permanent funding for the Duke-Durham Neighborhood Partnership, a collaboration involving the university, 12 surrounding neighborhoods and eight schools.

In addition, he'll work with Duke Medicine on local health care issues and promote workforce education programs for Duke employees.

Wynn was unavailable for comment. But in Duke's news release he said his 30 years at Durham Tech "allowed me to focus on areas that I care passionately about: education and training, and economic development and community development.

"This new opportunity will allow me to continue this professional focus through assisting Duke University in its ongoing efforts to be an advocate and partner for economic and community development in Durham and the region."

Wynn, an Oklahoma native, came to Durham Tech in 1977 as assistant to the president, the same year he received his doctorate from N.C. State University. By 1979, he was vice president of support services. In May 1980, he was named interim president, a position that was made permanent six months later.

He's served on numerous local boards and commissions, including a stint as chairman of the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce. The former U.S. Army officer is also a founding member of the Greater Triangle Regional Council and a founding trustee of the Kenan Institute for Engineering, Technology and Science at N.C. State University.

He was the first black president of a North Carolina community college.

Duke also announced Tuesday the Dec. 31 retirement of university secretary and vice president Allison Haltom, who has worked 36 years under four presidents.

The 1972 Duke graduate was the first woman to serve as head of Duke's Annual Fund. She became university secretary in 1986 and was named vice president in 2001. She coordinates the activities of the board of trustees, oversees university ceremonies such as commencement and manages the hiring and review processes for senior university officials.

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