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Tom Powers, who died in 1991, was a tireless volunteer for Randolph-Macon, inspiring hundreds of alumni to support the College. An active volunteer for Randolph-Macon since his graduation in 1931, Mr. Powers’ most distinctive long-term contribution to his alma mater was his role in recruiting other volunteers for the institution through his leadership style and magnetic personality.
His service to the College included work with the Admissions Office to entertain prospective and admitted students; work with the Development Office to encourage other alumni to contribute financially to the College; and service as chairman of the national Leadership Telethon program.
A member of the Alumni Board since 1974, Mr. Powers was elected to the Board of Associates in 1983. As chairman of the College’s $15-million capital campaign, “Our Heritage, Our Future: The Campaign for Randolph-Macon College,” he was credited with donating over 1,000 hours of personal time. Otherwise known as “Mr. R-MC”, Tom was instrumental in recruiting more than 500 alumni volunteers who helped solicit funds for the undertaking.
In 2003, the Society of Alumni created an award to honor Tom Powers and to recognize those classes with the highest giving participation rate within their decade. The Tom Powers Award is housed in the Advancement Office and a plaque on campus honors the award winners.
For more information regarding the W. Thomas Powers '31 Award, please contact annualgiving@rmc.edu.
Tom Powers Award Winners
Fiscal Year 2012
(July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2012)
1930s: 1935, 1936 (100% Participation)
1940s: 1944, 1946 (100% Participation)
1950s: 1959 (60.87% Participation)
1960s: 1961 (66.23% Participation)
1970s: 1975 (59.17% Participation)
1980s: 1981 (44.14% Participation)
1990s: 1996 (42.24% Participation)
2000s: 2009 (42.44% Participation)
2010s: 2011 (36.07% Participation)
Updated 9/4/12