FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2008
Contact: K.E. Schwab
724.738.2199
karl.schwab@sru.edu

SRU’s Walter Powell honored by county, state bar associations

           SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- Walter Powell, Slippery Rock University professor of political science, has been stepping up to the bar for 50 years and now has an award to prove it.

           The award, presented earlier this month by Mark Lope, president of the Butler County Bar Association, honored Powell for his 50 years service to both the Butler County Bar Association and the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Powell began his law practice in 1958 after earning his law degree at Western New England Law School. He began a general law practice in the Butler area and also practiced before the Federal District Court in Pittsburgh.

           “I was truly honored by the award,” Powell said. “I joined the faculty at Slippery Rock University in 1965 as an original member of the political science department, and I have used my understanding of the law in teaching such courses as ‘Civil Liberties Law,’ ‘Criminal Law,’ ‘Constitutional Law’ and ‘Introduction to American Government.’” Powell is also adviser to SRU’s pre-law advisory committee.

Powell is admitted to practice law on the state and federal level as well as before the U.S. Supreme Court.

           In 2005, Powell urged the Butler bar association to establish a scholarship at SRU and the lawyer’s group agreed setting up a $20,000 endowed scholarship for pre-law students as part of the 10-year “Campaign for Slippery Rock University.”

           The $1,000 renewable scholarship is presented annually with preference given Butler County students. SRU, as a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, is partnered with the Widener University School of Law to offer state system students the opportunity to participate in two special admission programs to the law school.

Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania’s premier public residential university. Slippery Rock University provides students with a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that make a positive difference in their lives.