Sept. 29, 2011

A member of the class of 1955, Henry “Hank” Powell continues to give back to the University alongside his wife, Mary Jane (“MJ”), a former trustee. The Powells relationship with UMass Lowell has spanned more than 50 years.

Mr. and Mrs. Powell will receive the James T. Smith Award Friday night at the inaugural Dream of Perfect Games: A Celebration of Sport ceremony at the UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center (6:30).

Tickets cost $50 and can be purchased by calling the Department of Athletics at 978-934-2310 or by e-mailing amy_judge@uml.edu.

The James T. Smith Award ("The Smitty") is presented to an individual connected to the UMass Lowell athletic program for distinguished life accomplishment. The award is named after James T. Smith, the original founder of the Lowell Textile School in 1897, who believed that successful athletic teams would not only help recruit students but would lend prestige to the trade school and turn it into a collegiate level institute.

Mr. Powell has long served on several boards and committees within the University. They established the Powell Family Endowment Scholarship Program and the Lawrence H.S./UMass Pathways Initiative Endowment to assist young adults in earning a degree from the University.

“We are grateful for what this relationship has provided for us as a result of the timely vision of James T. Smith, founder of the Lowell Textile School,” Mr. and Mrs. Powell issued in a statement. “Smith’s foresight has evolved into a world renowned university.”

The Powells live in Andover, Mass.