Durham Tech changed lives of three generations of one Durham family

 

From one generation to the next, the Westbrook family has found an educational home at Durham Tech. 

“In church one day a fellow parishioner and Durham Tech employee, Lauren Norton, and I were talking. I mentioned that three generations of my family had attended Durham Tech and inquired as to whether this was an oddity,” Sue Westbrook Rice said. 

It is a rarity, but not unheard of at Durham Tech, an institution that prides itself on being a family. 

Rice, who moved to Durham in 1980 with her young family, said Durham Tech has “always been there, even before we used it.”

She said it is a great institution for young and older learners alike.  

“It is there when you need it,” she said.      

Her middle son, Mike, was the first member of the family to attend Durham Tech. He graduated from high school in 1991. He was younger than many of his high school classmates, based on where his birthday fell, and school was not his strong suit, but he knew he wanted to pursue a higher education degree. 

His dad and I talked with him and knew Durham Tech would be a great way to start to get general college under his belt,” Rice said. “He went full time every day and then transferred to East Carolina University.” 

Mike Westbrook said he appreciated the strong instruction he received at Durham Tech during the slightly more than a year he attended the College. He graduated from ECU in three years. 

“His is a success story, but not our only one,” Rice said. “His time at Durham Tech was the best thing for him. It is a wonderful thing that a College of this caliber is available to all of us right here in Durham. It is available and affordable.” 

Sue Westbrook-Rice was the next in the family to attend Durham Tech. She was working in the public schools but became interested in the paralegal field in 1994. She researched the College’s program and met with the department lead. 

“I talked with my family and decided I would go to classes at night since I was working during the day.  I was committed to it,” she said. “Sometimes I went four nights a week. I loved it. It was so interesting. Just like Mike had said, the instructors made the experience.” 

Rice focused on the real estate side of the paralegal program and quickly changed her career from a teacher in the public schools to commercial real estate. She graduated in 1996 after making straight As the entire time she was at Durham Tech. 

“I made that leap because of Durham Tech and what I had learned there,” she said. “I felt comfortable making the switch because of the knowledge I had gained at the College. Durham Tech gave me the confidence to make such a complete change of profession.       

Rice’s granddaughter, Reese, became the third member of the family to attend Durham Tech. The daughter of Westbrook Rice’s youngest son, Reese finished high school in January 2024 knowing that she wanted to work with Pre-K children and toddlers.  

“She went to Durham Tech and talked with the Early Childhood Education team. I went with her,” Rice said. “All of our questions were answered, and she knew this was her starting place.” 

Reese has been a straight A student at the College while being a nanny and working another part-time job. 

“She works hard and handles school, in part, because of Durham Tech’s online offerings,” Rice said. “I am very proud of her. She knew what she wanted, and the College had it. I remember her eyes lighting up when she learned that most if not all her credits would transfer.” 

Reese is in the college transfer program and working on an associate degree. 

“Each of us used Durham Tech the way we needed to for the places we were in life,” Rice said. “The College was there for us for three different situations. It changed our trajectories.”