Powell continues to serve his alma mater proudly
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n the early 1970s John Powell served as the leader of the student body of TriCounty Technical College. The Oconee County real estate developer and business entrepreneur is again serving in a leadership position at his alma mater, this time as a member of the College’s nine-member Commission. Powell is a commission member representing Oconee County. He is the second alumnus in the history of the College to serve on its governing board. Powell said he is honored to serve his alma mater “because Tri-County touches so many people in our three counties by serving their educational needs and consequently positively changing their lives and lifestyles. I wanted to be a part of that. Tri-County changed me,” said Powell, who, since graduating, has maintained a close connection to the College by serving on various boards and continuing to spread the word about a place that gave him career direction and many fond memories. Powell served as the college’s second Student Government Association president and was select-
ed as a student member of the Governor’s Drug Abuse Council in SC in 1972. “I still feel a real connection to the Pictured with Tri-County student leader and graduate John Powell, College,” said Powsecond from left, are Darwin Addis of Walhalla, business technology ell, who, to date, is instructor; Steven Scott of Liberty, head of business technology; and the first and only Durell Rochester, business technology instructor. alumnus to serve on the College’s Foundation Board, was the day Powell Real Estate has 16 sales agents Alumni Association’s second president and in three offices. He also owns a cattle farm, which he maintains by himself in the eveis now serving on its board of directors. During his tenure as president of the nings. In addition, he has been involved in Alumni Association, he helped to organize the creation of 36 subdivisions, including the first annual golf tournament in 1987, being a partner in Falcon’s Lair Golf Comwhich has continued through munity in Walhalla. In 2002 he and good the years with proceeds from friend, Rick Cook, formed a partnership. past tournaments enabling Today they have nine Subway franchises in the Alumni Association to en- the Upstate. dow two scholarships through Giving back to the community is key to the College’s Foundation, to Powell so he didn’t hesitate when asked to make professional develop- chair a fundraising campaign to build Our ment opportunities available Daily Rest, a homeless shelter in Oconee to faculty and staff and to County. He is very active in his church, name rooms at the Pendleton Welcome Wesleyan Church, where he and Anderson Campuses. In leads a Small Group and sings in the choir. 2009 he received Tri-County Powell resides in West Union with his Technical College’s Distin- wife, Joyce. They have four adult children, guished Alumni Award. Joy, James, Mark and Cliff and four grandPowell entered the real es- children. tate business in 1973 and toBy Lisa Garrett, Tri-County Technical College
1984
Student center groundbreaking.
1980
Soon after Clemson University announced it would terminate its Associate Degree Nursing program in 1981, the College initiated the process of implementing the program. Tri-County began its Associate Degree Nursing program in the fall quarter of 1981.
1985
Alumni Association formed.
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS
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