PULLMAN – The College of Education is pleased to announce it is the beneficiary of a $1.7 million endowment from the Glenn and Anna Powell Estate, making it the largest gift ever realized by the College of Education.

The gift will go to student scholarships for those pursuing a degree in education with the intent of teaching.

Glenn received his undergraduate degree from the college in 1948, with his master’s degree in 1952. He and Anna met while teaching together in Tekoa, married, and then taught together in Colfax for 20 years before moving to Prosser where they finished their careers and retired. He died in 2010 and she before that.

“This gift is just one example of the impact that the college and our faculty have on students when they’re here, and the reputation that college has once they’re gone,” college dean Mike Trevisan said. “The college, and our students, are the beneficiaries of those who made such a positive impact on Glenn dating back to 1948.”

Jose Altamirano, a secondary education student (English) from the rural Washington town of Mabton, received a scholarship for this past academic year and thinks this new endowment will really help preservice teachers.

“Had it not been for the scholarship I was awarded, I would not have been able to sustain myself financially during this time,” he said. “I feel this new announcement will greatly support future teacher candidates and propel them forward as they navigate their journey to become a certified educator.

“Not only will this help our student candidates financially, but it will be a testament to their hard work and dedication, offering visibility and validity to their experiences.”

Just as Altamirano, the college’s Teaching and Learning Department chair Tariq Akmal said this gift makes college and becoming a teacher a much more realizable dream.

“With higher numbers of first-generation students entering our programs, being able to minimize the debt accumulated through four years of college puts our students a step ahead as they enter the teaching profession,” he said. “The likelihood of being able to live off a teacher’s salary with minimal or no student loan payments is greatly increased through the generosity of donors like Glenn and Anna Powell. I put myself through college back in the 80’s and to be able to have this type of support rather than loans would have been a great start to my working life.”