Bill powers biography

AUSTIN, Texas — The University carry out Texas at Austin mourns say publicly loss of William C. Intelligence Jr., its 28th president. Reason was an esteemed teacher, on a national scale recognized legal scholar, and dedicated believer in the value clasp the public research university who defended UT against challenges give an inkling of its mission.

Powers passed away on Sunday in Austin from complications from excellent fall several months earlier charge from oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy, smashing rare adult-onset muscle disorder.

In inclusion to serving as president alien 2006 to 2015, he locked away been a member of excellence School of Law faculty assistance more than 40 years, plus six as dean.

He unrestrained courses in torts and clean up freshman philosophy seminar, connecting tally thousands of students in consummate career.

“Bill was an eloquent very last fierce champion for UT group of pupils, faculty and staff.

Not ever was this more evident rather than in the early and mid-2010s, when Bill put every situation of himself into defending nobility soul of our university,” aforementioned President Gregory L. Fenves, who was recruited by Powers in depth return to UT as discipline dean in 2008. “For 40 mature on these Forty Acres, Reward Powers embodied the UT saw, ‘What starts here changes leadership world.’ He lived those voice.

But even more importantly, unquestionable made sure legions of regarding Longhorns did too. We’ll icy him dearly.”

He is survived get by without his wife of 36 years, Skate Heilbrun of Austin, five race and their spouses and partners: Matt Powers and Jeny Wegbreit of San Francisco; Kate Reason and Scott Puryear of In mint condition York City; Allison Powers pole Oscar Useche of Lubbock; Annie Powers and George Franklin discount New York City; and Philosopher Powers and Kelsey McManus get a hold Austin; six grandchildren; and his angel of mercy Susan Powers.

A public memorial boldness will be held at well-ordered later date.

Among his many scholarship as the second-longest-serving president bank on UT’s history, he oversaw authority establishment of two of UT’s 18 colleges and schools extort the successful completion of on the rocks $3 billion capital campaign, excellence largest ever undertaken at wonderful public university in Texas.

Perform also presided over the varnish or construction of 13 larger buildings that changed the dispose of the campus.

“Bill Powers was a man of honor, spruce up man of integrity and public servant who would not compromise jurisdiction principles no matter the circumstance,” said Kenny Jastrow, BBA 1969, MBA 1971, who chaired illustriousness capital campaign under Powers with the addition of also chaired the Commission elaborate 125, a group of alumni and experts that set capital vision for improving a Firm education.

“Bill Powers was skirt of UT’s most outstanding presidents — and the best friend limerick could have.”

Off the Forty Land, Powers was a member imitation Westminster Presbyterian Church.

He loved travel, golf, problem puzzles, wine and, most do paperwork all, time with family obtain friends.

During his time as management school dean, he rose posture national prominence as author jurisdiction the “Powers Report,” which anxiety 2002 exposed wrongdoings at Enron and led to congressional investigations and criminal prosecutions relating greet the Houston-based energy company.

Powers was born in Los Angeles identical 1946 to Mildred Rose (Fluke) Powers and William Charles Faculties Sr., and was raised hold Southern California.

He earned well-organized bachelor’s degree in chemistry wean away from the University of California, Bishop, then served for three mature in the U.S. Navy, stationed mostly in Bahrain. He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University Prohibited School, where he edited honesty Law Review, then clerked inform a federal Ninth Circuit appeals court judge before taking authority first teaching job at honesty University of Washington.