Blinn College announced the death of board of trustees vice-chair Richard Powell on Saturday.
Powell, a retired lawyer from Brenham, was midway through his first term on the board. He was elected to a six year term in 2015, the year after he was appointed to fill an unexpired term representing a portion of Washington County.
This creates the second vacancy in as many months on the Blinn board, following the mid-term resignation of Stacy Aschenbeck, another Washington County trustee.
From Blinn College:
The Blinn College District mourns the passing of Richard Powell, Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees. Powell, who represents Washington County Precinct 1, passed away earlier today.
“Richard Powell was a caring mentor, an advocate for students, and a dear friend,” said Charles Moser, Blinn College District Board Chair. “We will miss his wisdom and leadership, which have been instrumental in creating a bright future for Blinn College and its students.”
Powell was appointed to the board in 2014. During his four years on the Board of Trustees, Powell oversaw significant growth and development across the Blinn College District. Under Powell’s leadership, Blinn accepted The Texas A&M University System’s invitation to join the RELLIS Academic Alliance at the RELLIS Campus and began offering courses this Fall at the Walter C. Schwartz Building on campus.
In addition to the Schwartz Building, Blinn introduced several new facilities designed to improve the student experience, including Mill Creek Hall, a 464-bed student residence hall; the Kruse Center, a student and community recreation center; and the A.W. Hodde, Jr., Technical Education Center’s Technical Education Annex.
The College also introduced innovative educational partnerships such as the Texas A&M Engineering Academies at Blinn-Bryan and Blinn-Brenham, and expanded its workforce training offerings in Brazos County.
In addition to his service on the board, Powell supported Blinn students with the establishment of the Barbara and Richard Powell Endowed Scholarship and other gifts to the College.
A retired attorney who has lived in Brenham since 1990, Powell earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from Baylor University and his Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law. After earning his license, he worked at Briscoe & Shaffer in Houston, where he became a partner and the firm was renamed Briscoe, Shaffer & Powell.
“Vice-Chair Powell has been a dear friend and a dedicated supporter of Blinn College,” said Dr. Mary Hensley, Chancellor of the Blinn College District. “We appreciate the incredible impact he has made upon this College and community, and send our best wishes and condolences to his wife Barbara and the entire Powell family.”