Hiram C. Powell named interim President of Bethune-Cookman University

Hiram C. Powell, Ph.D., has been named Interim President of Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) after a vote by the university’s Board of Trustees. Per the University’s charter, the Board of Trustees holds the sole fiduciary responsibility and authority to select the institution’s president.

Powell, who graduated in 1976 from B-CU with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education, currently serves as Dean of Performing Arts and Communications and has worked at the university since 1977. During his time at B-CU he has served in critically important leadership roles including Interim Provost and Vice President of Institutional Advancement. Powell has also served as Dean of Graduate Studies and as Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs.

“The Board was united in choosing Dr. Powell to lead B-CU at this time because of his institutional history and knowledge of the institution as well his leadership experience,” said Board Chair Belvin Perry, Jr. Perry noted that Powell is also experienced with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (​SACSCOC) accreditation process as well as in the associated reaffirmation process.

“Dr. Powell’s breadth and depth of knowledge about B-CU, his experience and broad community engagement made him the natural choice for this role. He is well-regarded not just in the B-CU community but also in business and philanthropic communities throughout Central Florida. He is a clear leader who can execute.”

Powell said his dedication and commitment to the future of B-CU run deep. “Bethune- Cookman University gave me a foundation and support that allowed me to learn, grow, and lead in music and academia,” Powell said. “I embrace this chance to lead B-CU forward and help our students succeed from every opportunity that this institution has to offer. I am living proof of what Dr. Mary McLeod intended when she established her college; it is my great honor to lead B-CU.”

Powell began his career at B-CU in 1980 as an Associate Director of Bands/Arranger and ultimately became Chair of the Music Department after other roles that included Assistant Director of Bands and Band Director. He earned his Master of Fine Arts in Music Theory from the University of Florida, followed by his Ph.D. in Music Theory in 1992 from Florida State University. He has received certifications from a variety of leadership programs including the Millennium Leadership Institute, Executive Leadership Summit from Hampton University, and the Leadership Disney Style from the Disney Institute. He is a graduate of the Music Management Program at DePaul University and studied at the Atlantic Center for the Arts.

Among his numerous awards, Powell has been honored with the Miami Herald Silver Knight Award for Musical Excellence; the John Phillip Sousa Award; Outstanding Leadership Award from Phi Beta Sigma; Outstanding Musicianship Award from the University of Florida; and the ACE Leadership Scholar. He was named Bethune-Cookman College Faculty Member of the Year; is a Distinguished Honorary Inductee in Sigma Alpha Iota; and earned the title of Distinguished Adjudicator, Festival Disney.

Powell is a member of the Association of Professional Fund Raisers; the Florida Music Educators Association; the Florida Bandmasters Association; the Music Educators National Conference; Florida State Music Teachers Association; Daytona Beach Civic Orchestra; World Saxophone Conference; and Florida Higher Education Arts Network to name a few.

He has served as Board Chair for the Atlantic Center for the Arts; State Advisor, Collegiate Music Educators National Conference; and President, Florida State University Music Theory Society. He is a committee member with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and has held Trustee and Board positions with the Atlantic Center for the Arts, Florida International Festival, Pabst Foundation for the Arts, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the prestigious Pabst-Steinmetz Foundation.

Powell will begin his term on June 1, 2021.

About Bethune-Cookman University: Founded in 1904 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) today sustains her legacy of faith, scholarship, and service through its relationship with the United Methodist Church and its commitment to academic excellence and civic engagement. B-CU offers 38 degrees on its main campus and online college. Located in Daytona Beach, B-CU is one of 3 private, historically black colleges in the state of Florida. The institution boasts a diverse and international faculty and student body of nearly 4,000. For more information, visit www.cookman.edu.

Source: Bethune-Cookman University