Committed to Serving the Needs of Others
Mary and Bill’s story starts at Family Hospital in Milwaukee where they met early in their careers. This and other shared experiences led to a lifelong commitment to community, equality, and addressing social justice issues.
Following the completion of their doctoral degrees, Bill and Mary embarked on careers in higher education. Bill found his home in social work education at UW-Whitewater and Mary’s passion for community health drew her to teach undergraduate students in our Edgewood College Nursing Program in 1996.
As the graduate nursing program expanded, Mary taught courses in nursing leadership, and then was promoted to Chair of the Nursing Department. “I loved meeting students at so many life stages as their nursing careers evolved.” In recognition of Mary’s exemplary leadership and dedication to our Nursing Program and its students, the Dr. Mary Kelly-Powell Leadership Award was created in 2005 and is awarded annually to a graduating nursing student who demonstrates exemplary leadership skills.
Mary’s commitment to excellence led to a new leadership role as Academic Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs in 2005, where she served until joining Bill in retirement in 2012.
In retirement, Bill and Mary support our students’ education through scholarship gifts and have chosen to continue their support beyond their lifetimes with the ultimate gift. Together, they will help students reach their dreams by committing a portion of their estate to create the Mary Kelly-Powell and William Powell Endowed Scholarship in Nursing.
We are grateful for Mary and Bill’s commitment, and that of all our Washburn Society members. Their faith in the mission of Edgewood College to provide a values-based education is critical to our future and the future of our students.