For immediate release - June 12, 2006

(DALLAS) – After 32 years of service on the Dallas County Community College District’s board of trustees, district 1 representative Pattie Powell decided to retire this spring. Her tenure included working with four chancellors, attending several thousand meetings and approving countless measures that moved one of the nation’s largest community college systems forward. Today, DCCCD educates more than 63,000 credit and 21,000 continuing education students each semester and reaches out to students, communities and organizations to build partnerships and educational opportunities.

Powell’s dedication and service were recognized by other trustees when they approved her appointment as the first “trustee emeritus” for DCCCD during their regular monthly meeting in June. With that designation, she retains her title as trustee even though she has retired from the board. (Former board member J.D. Hall was named “vice chair emeritus.”) Powell represented north Dallas and a portion of Richardson on DCCCD’s board; Richland College will celebrate her accomplishments this month.

“We are so proud of Pattie and will miss her so much,” said Jerry Prater, chairman of the DCCCD board of trustees. “Pattie has been a leader on this board, a friend to students and an individual who has inspired us with her dedication to higher education.”

During her unmatched tenure on the DCCCD board of trustees, Powell served as chair from 1978-80, 1994-1996 and 1996 to June 2000. She served as vice chair during her last term; as chair of the board’s planning and budget committee, June 2000 to June 2003; and as community college representative to White House Conferences on Productivity.

Powell is a former board member of Goals for Dallas, the American Cancer Society and the Texas Association of Community College Trustees and Administrators. Powell previously assumed leadership roles for other higher education organizations, including the North Texas Association of Higher Education; the American Association of Community Colleges and the Association of Community College Trustees; and several area organizations, including the Richardson Symphony Orchestra Inc., the Richardson Symphony Orchestra Guild and Teenpower Inc. She also received AACT’s M. Dale Ensign Community College Leadership Award.

Press contact: Ann Hatch, 214-860-2478