By Marice Richter
As Benjamin Franklin once stated, “If you need something done, ask a busy person.”
Beverly Powell has earned a reputation as Fort Worth’s go-to person for tackling important tasks. She is always willing to lend a hand, even though sometimes she barely has time to catch her breath.
Powell took on a high-profile leadership role at Texas Wesleyan University simultaneously while helping lead a massive fund-raising project to construct a new elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. This new school will replace Robb Elementary, the site of the deadliest school shooting in Texas history, which occurred in May 2022.
In addition to these leadership roles, she stays partially involved in her family’s real estate development business and is committed to improving the lives of Texans through community service.
Driven by a passion for community empowerment and advancing education, Powell successfully ran for the Texas State Senate District 10 seat in 2018. However, her plans to seek re-election in 2022 were thwarted when Republicans redrew the district boundaries to the south and west making it unwinnable for a Democrat. Disappointed, but undeterred, Powell chose to focus on other priorities, including her efforts to support community recovery and building a new elementary school in Uvalde.
While immersed in helping Uvalde recover, Powell agreed to step into a role at Texas Wesleyan to assist Dr. Emily Messer, the university’s 21st president and the university’s first female leader in TWU’s history. Messer succeeded President Fred Slabach, who stepped down in 2023.
An experienced educator and higher education leader, Messer arrived with an ambitious agenda aimed at boosting student success, increasing fundraising and philanthropy and advancing the Rosedale Renaissance initiative, a $6.7 million revitalization effort by the university, the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County, generous donors and others to benefit the Polytechnic neighborhood and the university.
Slabach had been the driving force behind university improvement projects and the Rosedale Renaissance. His departure meant his successor would need help. Beverly Powell’s history with Texas Wesleyan as a student, a member of the Board of Trustees and as chairperson of the university’s board made her uniquely qualified to help. “It was nothing I expected would happen,” said Powell. “But when I was asked, and because of my long history with Texas Wesleyan, I accepted.”
Powell was initially tapped as a consultant to Messer in November 2023, a position that involved working on high-profile projects such as fund-raising for the university’s athletic complex, which the Karen Cramer Stadium will anchor. This year, Powell’s role expanded to Assistant to the President for External Affairs. Her duties include serving as a liaison between the university and the Polytechnic community. “Beverly exemplifies the highest standards of excellence in her role,” Messer said. “Over the past year, she has truly represented the best of Texas Wesleyan University—building meaningful connections and advancing our mission. Her dedication and passion continue to elevate the university in every way.”
To read the full story, click on the cover of the December 2024 issue.
