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Gen. Colin Powell, the first Black U.S. Secretary of State and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, passed away on Monday at the age of 84 due to complications from COVID-19. While he was fully vaccinated, he was immunocompromised due to multiple myeloma and Parkinson\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n
Over the course of the week, there\u2019s been an outpouring of condolences for the distinguished leader who served through numerous presidential administrations after a groundbreaking career as a professional soldiers for 35 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy late husband and I have known Colin Powel and his wife Alma for many years and considered ourselves close friends,\u201d explained Marlene Malek, trustee at Marymount University. \u201cColin was bigger than life and much loved by all who knew him. He was a true friend, devoted to his family, a gentleman full of integrity and the most honorable man I know. We will miss him terribly.\u201d<\/p>\n
Marymount University was honored to host Gen. Powell as the keynote speaker at the institution\u2019s 55th<\/sup> annual undergraduate commencement ceremony in 2006, when he received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in recognition of his career of service to the nation and the world. Click here to watch his commencement speech.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cOur nation has lost a great leader, one who personified our motto of \u2018Learn with Purpose\u2019 and \u2018Live with Purpose,\u2019\u201d said Dr. Irma Becerra, current President of Marymount University.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat I remember most is that General Powell shook hands with every graduate crossing the stage, and received hugs from a number of them,\u201d reflected Dr. James Bundschuh, President Emeritus of Marymount University, serving in office from 2001 to 2011. \u201cIn the years following the graduation ceremony, I would run into him from time to time at various events. He always addressed me as \u2018Mr. President,\u2019 and of course, I called him \u2018General.\u2019 He was a man of the highest integrity and was respected by everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n Delivering his address at D.A.R. Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., Gen. Powell spoke about U.S. foreign policy and offered advice for success to Marymount graduates, based upon how his entire career followed his life\u2019s passion of soldiering.<\/p>\n \u201cSome of you in the graduating class may know now already what it is you want to do with the rest of your life. You may know now what you love doing and what you do well, and you\u2019re prepared to commit yourselves to it,\u201d Gen. Powell said. \u201cBut many of you may not know yet \u2013 you may still be looking. And you may go down several false trails along the way. But never stop looking until you find that one thing which you love doing and which you do well. You just can\u2019t tell where the future will take you, but it will take you somewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n In his speech, Gen. Powell also emphasized the importance of service to others \u2013 one of Marymount\u2019s three core values<\/a>. Referencing the University\u2019s extensive community service programs<\/a> and activities that allow Saints to serve both near and far, he reminded graduates to never forget that virtue as they carry on into adulthood.<\/p>\n \u201cService to others is a hallmark of a Marymount education, and we aim to instill that value in all of our students. I feel that his whole life serves as an example of that dedication, and he was a blessing to our country and all those who knew him,\u201d said Lita Treacy \u201960, member of Marymount University\u2019s Board of Trustees<\/a>. \u201cWe all have wonderful memories of General Powell addressing our graduating class of 2006, which was so fortunate to have had such a distinguished speaker. It is a memory I am sure they will never forget.\u201d<\/p>\n Before leaving the stage, Gen. Powell spoke about his family\u2019s roots in Jamaica and his parents\u2019 immigration to the U.S. before he was born. As the child of immigrants, he continuously opposed anti-immigrant rhetoric during his career and was a vocal supporter of the Dream Act \u2013 legislation that would pave the way for Dreamers in the U.S. to receive permanent residency.<\/p>\n Marymount University shares these values in support of its Dreamer students, partnering with TheDream.US<\/a> to enroll undocumented scholars on campus and encouraging the passage of legislation that makes Virginia students eligible for state financial aid if they are eligible for in-state tuition, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. House Bill 2123<\/a> and Senate Bill 1387<\/a> were signed into law on Marymount\u2019s campus by Governor Northam<\/a> in June 2021.<\/p>\n \u201cAs we go through this debate, let us never forget how important immigration is to our future success. Let us never forget that the diversity that is the richness of America is a source of our strength, not the source of our weakness,\u201d Gen. Powell said. \u201cWe must remain open, welcoming \u2013 a place that greets all who come to these shores.\u201d<\/p>\n Gen. Powell was the recipient of numerous military awards and decorations, including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. His civilian awards include two Presidential Medals of Freedom, the President\u2019s Citizens Medal, the Congressional Gold Medal, the Secretary of State Distinguished Service Medal and the Secretary of Energy Distinguished Service Medal.<\/p>\n In addition to his military and government roles, Gen. Powell served as founding chairman of America\u2019s Promise Alliance<\/a>, an organization dedicated to strengthening the character and competence of America\u2019s youth and ensuring that every child in America \u201chas the fundamental resources he or she needs to be ready for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Gen. Colin Powell, the first Black U.S. Secretary of State and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, passed away on Monday at the age of 84 due to complications from COVID-19. While he was fully vaccinated, he was immunocompromised due to multiple myeloma and Parkinson\u2019s disease. Over the course of the week, […]<\/p>\n