Tom Powers Award

Tom Powers Award

Photo of the Tom Powers Award

Participation is key! The College prides itself on its exceptional reputation for alumni participation of giving. A gift of any size helps demonstrate alumni commitment for our alma mater – and together, we make a difference.

In 2003, the Society of Alumni created an award to recognize those classes with the highest giving participation rate within their decade. The award was named after W. Thomas (Tom) Powers ’31, a tireless volunteer for the college, inspiring alumni to both volunteer for and support RMC.  The classes listed below are the winners for the 2024-2025 giving year. 

Tom Powers Award Winners

FY25 Award Winners        
(July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025)     

  • 1940s: 1944 (50% Participation) 
  • 1950s: 1957 (86% Participation) 
  • 1960s: 1967 (59% Participation) 
  • 1970s: 1975 (57% Participation) 
  • 1980s: 1981 (43% Participation) 
  • 1990s: 1997 (35% Participation) 
  • 2000s: 2008 (25% Participation) 
  • 2010s: 2019 (20% Participation) 
  • 2020s: 2024 (25% Participation) 

Who is Tom Powers?

Tom Powers, who died in 1991, was 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. RMC”, Tom was instrumental in recruiting more than 500 alumni volunteers who helped solicit funds for the undertaking.

Class Agents

The award is made possible by dedicated service, like Tom Powers showed. RMC Class Agents serve as ambassadors to their classmates on behalf of the Office of Annual Giving. They are responsible for soliciting support from their classmates to ensure that the College’s alumni participation rate remains competitive with other colleges and universities of Randolph-Macon’s size and prestige. If you would like to volunteer to help your class, please email classagents@rmc.edu.