Theresa Powell’s household, buddies and colleagues gathered on the Temple Performing Arts Heart on Tuesday to hug and change reminiscences forward of as we speak’s celebration of life
Temple hosted a memorial service on the Temple Heart for the Performing Arts on Jan. 2 for Powell, who died out of the blue on Jan. 2 in his residence state of Texas. President Jason Wingard was one in every of 9 audio system, and the ceremony additionally included musical performances, speeches from the Powell household and poetry readings.
James Moore, pastor of Second Mount Zion Baptist Church, the place Powell typically attends companies, opened the occasion with a prayer, hoping to strengthen Powell’s family members as they grieve.
In her opening remarks, Wingard shared her reminiscences of Powell, vp of pupil affairs at Temple for greater than 20 years, and her behavior of hugging everybody she sees.
“We have now this routine the place she’ll roll up, actually roll up in her scooter, and I am going to stick out my fist and provides her a fist, and she or he’ll have a look at me and preserve grabbing her scooter, after which she would hold me, she’d look me within the eye, look me that means – Stephanie, you realize that look – and she or he’d say ‘Child, I am not your boyfriend, an actual man would Give the women a hug,'” Wingard stated.
Pupil Affairs has grown considerably below Powell’s management, together with the creation of a Welcome Week program firstly of every time period and Temple’s Cherry Pantry, which gives meals for college kids in want.
After Wingard’s remarks, Provost Gregory Mandel shared his recollections of Powell, reflecting on her optimistic perspective and the way she noticed the scholar physique as her personal.
Mandel additionally spoke on behalf of former President Richard Englert and former Provost Joanne Epps, who weren’t in attendance.
Stephanie Ives, interim vice-chancellor for pupil affairs, stated Powell was a lady with sturdy perception in her career and a wholehearted ardour.
“Her dedication to making sure that each pupil has a real and bonafide alternative to achieve the dynamic tutorial setting the College provides, for over 40 years, has constructed the campus expertise to offer college students with a house, a Locations succeed and have the chance to determine who they’re and easy methods to dwell as much as their values,” Ives stated.
Ives added that regardless of her passing, Powell’s legacy of sincerity, dedication and generosity will dwell on.Ives stated Powell is remembered by all as somebody who at all times put college students first, whether or not it was in her large-scale tasks or in one-on-one instruction
2017 Klein alumnus Binh Nguyen shared her reminiscences of the commencement reward Powell gave her, a pillow together with her identify written on it, with completely different inspirational quotes and phrases that reminded Nguyen to succeed in her full potential .
“To this present day, I’ve that pillow in my workplace as a every day reminder of who and who Dr. Powell needs me to be,” Nguyen stated.
The Reverend Sean Triplin introduced audiences to tears together with his rendition of Richard Smallwood’s “All Reward” in a musical interlude.
After the music, Moore spoke about Powell’s devotion and fervour for training. He recalled her behavior of respectfully disagreeing with him, which he thought made him a greater preacher and drew figuring out laughter from the viewers.
Danita Brown Younger, chair of the NASPA board of administrators, stated that amongst Powell’s many accomplishments, she was the primary black feminine president of the Nationwide Affiliation of Pupil Personnel Directors.
“Being the primary isn’t simple, and these positions can really feel lonely and isolating, and whereas she was down many instances, you’d by no means know as a result of she at all times had a smile on her face,” Brownyoung stated.
Serena Baxter, president of the Chester alumni chapter of Powell’s Delta Theta Sigma sorority, supplied her condolences to Powell’s household, noting how she exemplifies the sorority’s dedication to scholarship, public service and sisterhood Guiding rules in friendship.
Powell’s niece, Pamela Ickner, spoke on behalf of the Powell household. She inspired attendees to hold on Powell’s legacy.
“I encourage and problem you, as my aunt, Dr. Theresa Powell typically did, to attempt for excellence,” Ikner stated. “Deal with individuals with dignity, irrespective of their standing in life. Proudly owning possession Mentally, attempt to be the perfect model of your self so you’ll be able to positively affect the house you occupy, as she typically does.”
As Ikner’s speech drew applause, different members of the Powell household might be seen embracing one another and wiping away tears.
Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon, chair of the Temple College College Convention, concluded the ceremony with a studying of an authentic poem titled “Know Her,” describing her surprising loss of life at Powell After the shock, and replicate on their friendship. Williams-Witherspoon obtained a standing ovation from the viewers.
“It is gut-wrenching,” Williams-Witherspoon stated. “That is the sensation. Feeling, once I first heard it. Nonetheless feeling, after we overlook to recollect.”
