AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas at Austin celebrated the life of William C. Powers Jr., the school's 28th and second-longest-serving president, on Friday.
Powers died March 10 in Austin from complications after a fall several months earlier and from oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy.
A memorial service was held on the south steps of the UT Tower at 110 Inner Campus Driver. The service included a video tribute and multiple speakers, including Distinguished Alumnus Kenny Jastrow, who chaired the university's capital campaign under Powers; Distinguished Alumna Pamela Williford, the U.S. ambassador to Switzerland; and UT's current president, Gregory L. Fenves. Musicians Chantal Freeman and Larry Gatlin performed.
The service was open to the public.
Powers served as UT's president for nine years, from 2006 to 2015. Prior to that, Powers was a member of the School of Law faculty for more than 40 years, including six years as dean. Additionally, he oversaw the establishment of two of UT's colleges and schools and the successful completion of a $3 billion capital campaign, the largest ever undertaken at a public university in Texas. He also presided over the completion or construction of 13 major UT buildings.
The UT tower also shone Friday night with the letters "BP" on the side to honor the late President Powers.
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