Ecosystem Science and Management Excellence Endowment Established at Texas A&M
Contact(s): Lee Ann Knox, 979-847-9314, l-knox@tamu.edu
This gift will benefit and enhance the teaching, research and Extension missions of the department of ecosystem science and management in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University, officials said.
“Mr. Powell’s generosity will have a lasting impact on the quality of programs in the department of ecosystem science and management,” said Dr. Steve Whisenant, department head.
Powell earned a bachelor’s degree in forestry from Texas A&M in 1972 and a master’s of science from the University of Washington in 1975. He spent two years doing thesis research in Papua, New Guinea. Later his efforts in product development resulted in commercialized medical device coatings for SurModics Inc. in Eden Prairie, Minn., a major driving force in the biomedical materials field in the 1990s.
In 1992, he was promoted to vice president of technical operations, then to president and chief operating officer in 1998 after helping to take the company public. After 16 years with SurModics, Powell retired in 2003.
Powell said he established the endowment to give deserving students the same “boost” he received during his time at Texas A&M, which let him pursue further education and establish a career.
“As a former president and COO, I know flexibility helps a department head focus on priorities and take advantage of opportunities to improve key programs and help students,” Powell said.
Powell is a former member of the American Chemical Society and the Society for Biomaterials and was president of Surface in Biomaterials Foundation for two terms.
In the past year, Powell has also contributed to the Robert R. Rhodes Forestry Alumni Scholarship at Texas A&M. He and his wife Cynthia reside in Minnetrista, Minn., where he still exhibits his passion for forestry by harvesting his own maple syrup.
For more information about this endowment, contact Lee Ann Knox, Texas A&M Foundation, 979-847-9314, l-knox@tamu.edul-knox@tamu.edu. -30-
