Durham Tech Foundation

An exciting moment for our skilled trades programs 🛠️

In case you missed it, Durham Tech was recently selected as a recipient of the Lowe's Foundation Gable Grant—a $1 million investment that will expand electrical, HVAC, and plumbing training opportunities across Main Campus and the Orange County Campus.

Last week, we had the opportunity to celebrate this investment with a special check presentation on Main Campus. We’re proud to partner with the Lowe's Foundation to prepare more students for in-demand careers and strengthen our local workforce. 👏

Thanks to a generous donation from Advance Auto Parts Foundation, twenty-two Durham Tech Automotive students will start their careers with professional tools in hand and stronger credentials on their résumés! 🚗

This year, students who successfully complete ASE certification exams while enrolled at Durham Tech will have the opportunity to earn professional tool kits valued from $200 to $4,300. More certifications = bigger tool kits!

The gift does double duty: equipping students with tools they will need on the job while encouraging them to earn industry-recognized ASE certifications that can expand their employment opportunities and career mobility.

Thank you, Advance Auto Parts Foundation, for investing in the next generation of automotive professionals.

🛠 Durham Tech Automotive students: Want to know how you can earn a tool set? Contact the Automotive program director for details.

Durham Technical Community College Advance Auto Parts

More than 40 years ago, newlyweds Tina and Pakis Bessias were building a life together in Durham—and Durham Tech became part of both of their journeys.

Tina began teaching English as a Second Language at the College. Pakis, who had recently moved to North Carolina from Greece, enrolled at Durham Tech, eventually earning his associate degree before graduating from UNC and building a 36-year career at Duke.

Now, Tina and Pakis have established the Bessias Family Scholarship to help a new generation of Durham Tech students pursue their educational goals.

Read their story and why they chose to give back: https://www.durhamtech.edu/news/tina-and-pakis-bessiass-journey-inspires-scholarship-durham-tech

Tina and Pakis Bessias’s journey inspires scholarship at Durham Tech It was the spring of 1983 when Tina Anderson set out to travel in Europe with a college friend. When she stepped off a train in Greece that summer, she had no particular connection to the language or people. She just wanted to work and learn about the world from another perspective. It was a few mon...

🛠 Meet Michael Mattox, Durham Tech’s new full-time manager of the Newton Makerspace!

Michael is no stranger to Durham Tech. For the past several years, he managed the Makerspace part-time, helping students and employees turn ideas into real-world creations. Thanks to the College’s commitment and the generosity of a donor who recognized the potential of the Makerspace, Michael has officially joined the College full time, expanding the capacity of the Makerspace and the opportunities it can offer our students.

Located in the George W. Newton Industrial and Engineering Technologies Center, the Newton Makerspace is a high-tech space for student innovation, exploration, and hands-on learning. Equipped with tools including 3D printers, laser engravers, sewing machines, CNC equipment, and power tools, the Makerspace gives students across disciplines opportunities to learn new skills, experiment, and bring their ideas to life.

Michael is especially well suited to lead its next chapter. A professional bladesmith and the founder and owner of Mattox Knives, he brings a maker’s curiosity and a wide range of technical and creative skills to his work. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Alabama.

Congratulations, Michael! We can’t wait to see what you—and our students—create next. 🛠️💡

🪿Please join us in welcoming Diane Evia-Lanevi and Amy Taylor to the Durham Tech Foundation Board of Directors! 🪿

Diane brings extensive experience in civic leadership, philanthropy, education, and advocacy, while Amy brings years of leadership in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry. Together, they bring valuable perspectives and a shared commitment to expanding opportunity and supporting student success at Durham Tech.

The Foundation also celebrates Board Chair Ellen Shannon’s appointment to the Durham Tech Board of Trustees.

Read the full story to learn more about Diane, Amy, and Ellen and their continued service to Durham Tech: https://www.durhamtech.edu/news/durham-tech-foundation-welcomes-2027-board-directors-members-announces-board-leadership-update

durham_tech

When Monet Morgan enrolled in Durham Tech’s BioWork program while attending Southern School of Energy and Sustainability, she wasn’t yet sure what she wanted to do after high school. A counselor encouraged her to try BioWork because of her interest and strength in science. With support from a Novo Nordisk Scholarship, which covered the cost of her BioWork course, Monet was able to explore the field—and the experience helped her discover a path forward.

“My family has experienced various health challenges over the years, which inspired me to pursue a career in the biotechnology field,” Monet said. “The opportunity to contribute to the development of medicines that could improve the lives of my family members and others facing similar challenges is both meaningful and motivating to me.”

As the Novo Nordisk Life Science Center takes shape on Durham Tech’s Main Campus, stories like Monet’s remind us what investing in life sciences education is all about: giving students opportunities to discover their interests, build skills, and envision themselves in careers that can make a difference. We love seeing students like Monet take that next step, and we’re excited about the opportunities the new Center will create for the next generation of Durham Tech life sciences students.

Today we're celebrating transformational news for Durham Tech's skilled trades programs! 🎉🛠

Durham Tech has been selected as one of a small group of community colleges nationwide to receive support through the Lowe's Foundation's Gable Grants program. This $1 million investment will expand electrical, HVAC, and plumbing education across both our Main Campus and Orange County Campus while creating new opportunities to serve our community.

The grant will strengthen training in high-demand skilled trades and expand Spanish-language electrical instruction in partnership with El Centro Hispano, helping more students access pathways to family-sustaining careers.

We are deeply honored to be selected among this exceptional group of institutions and grateful to the Lowe's Foundation for its commitment to building the next generation of skilled trades professionals.

Durham Technical Community College Durham Tech Orange County Campus Lowe's Foundation El Centro Hispano, Inc.

Big things are taking shape across Durham Tech! 🚧

From the Novo Nordisk Life Science Center and the future Health Sciences Building rising on Main Campus to the expanded skilled trades training facilities at the Orange County Campus, construction is underway to create more opportunities for students and strengthen our region’s workforce for years to come.

To celebrate this exciting season of growth, Lucy the Foundation goose has traded her usual look for a hard hat and shovel. 🪿⛑️ While her construction gear won’t last forever, the impact of these investments certainly will.

durham_tech