Former Durham Tech president dies at 70
Phail Wynn, who recently retired as vice president of Duke University, died on Tuesday at the age of 70, according to Duke officials.
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According to officials at Duke University, Wynn died suddenly of natural causes Tuesday at his home. Duke has lowered its flag to half-staff in his memory.
“Phail was a remarkable, generous and wise soul, whose energy made us all feel like he would live forever,” said Duke President Vincent Price.
“He was committed to this community up to the very end of his tenure as our first vice president for Durham and regional affairs, and his legacy at Duke and in Durham will be felt for a long time to come.”
According to Duke University, when Wynn was named president of Durham Tech in 1980, he became the first African-American community college president in the North Carolina system.
“I was shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Phail Wynn," said Congressman G.K. Butterfield, who represents North Carolina's first district. "Leader, mentor, advocate, and friend are a few words that come to mind to describe what Phail meant to me. Durham, and the entire state of North Carolina, has lost a giant. My sincere condolences go to his beloved wife Peggy and the entire Wynn family.”
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