Blinn resolution honors late Trustee Richard Powell
College District recognizes Powell’s life and legacy with a resolution honoring his service and leadership
November 13, 2018
The Blinn College District Board of Trustees recognized the life and legacy of the late Trustee Richard Powell Tuesday evening with the passage of a resolution in his honor.
Powell was Vice-Chair of the Blinn board and the Washington County Precinct 1 representative at the time of his passing on Oct. 13. A framed photo and copy of Tuesday’s resolution was presented to Powell’s wife Barbara; their daughter Deborah Billeaud, her husband Tommy, and their children Taylor and Braden; and their son, Blinn Instructor Doug Peck, his wife Missy, and their children Avery and Joshua.
“Richard Powell was a true friend to Blinn, its students, and this community,” said Charles Moser, Board Chair. “This resolution recognizes his incredible contributions, and expresses our gratefulness for his leadership and dedication to this College.”
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; the Doyle Coatney Center, an indoor baseball and softball workout facility; 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.
“Trustee Powell always had a clear vision for Blinn’s future,” said Dr. Mary Hensley, Chancellor of the Blinn College District. “He leaves a legacy of student-focused leadership and educational excellence that will continue to benefit future generations of Blinn students.”
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. He generously supported numerous non-profit organizations in the community, and was proud to donate to Baylor Scott & White’s Innovation Fund-College Station.
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.
In other action, the board authorized the College to seek competitive sealed proposals from contractors for services related to the expansion of the W.J. “Bill” Rankin Agricultural Complex, a monument signs and site improvements project on the Brenham Campus, and the proposed roof replacement for the Dr. W.W. O’Donnell Performing Arts Center.
