William Woods University Order of the Owl Award Presented to George E. Powell, III

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Eddie and WWU President Jahnae H. Barnett with Wendy and George Powell, recipient of the Order of the Owl Award.

FULTON, MO (05/10/2011)(readMedia)-- William Woods University presented the Order of the Owl Award to George E. Powell III of Kansas City, Mo., during Alumni Weekend, April 15-17.

The Order of the Owl Award is designed to honor spouses of William Woods alumni who have shown a special interest in promoting and supporting the activities of the university.

Powell is the husband of Wendy Powell, who graduated from WWU in 1971. He graduated from the Indiana University School of Business in 1970. While a student, he enjoyed concerts, recitals and other programs featured by the school of music, and he has called the performing arts "an essential ingredient for the enjoyment of life."

Powell is the former president and CEO of Yellow Corporation, now YRC Worldwide, the nation's largest trucking company. The company had been in the family since 1952.

He has served as a trustee of Midwest Research Institute, the Kansas City Symphony, the Kansas City Symphony Foundation and the University of Missouri at Kansas City. He is a former chairman of Kansas City Public Television and the Salvation Army Christmas Campaign. He is also chairman of the Powell Family Foundation, which has been actively engaged in the establishment of Kansas City's first botanical garden, Powell Gardens.