June 2nd marked the final day of William Powers Jr. serving as president at The University of Texas system.
On July 9 of 2014, Powers offered his resignation in a letter written to the UT Chancellor at the time, Francisco Cigarroa. His resignation came amidst allegations regarding his unprecedented involvement with student admissions, and as Breitbart Texas reported, a later investigation validated the overreaching role Powers played in the matter.
The investigation was initiated after Wallace Hall, a UT Board of Regents member, questioned the admissions process. Breitbart’s Sarah Rumpf reported:
Hall began asking questions about apparent financial improprieties and favoritism in the admissions process at UT for children and friends of politically powerful people, as Breitbart Texas has reported. Hall faced intense resistance from the UT administration and other members of the Board of Regents and continued delays and obstructions in all of his investigative efforts and requests for information. He also faced accusations that he was abusing his position as Regent, threats of criminal investigations and lawsuits, and personal attacks and threats of retribution against him in the media from UT officials, alumni, and lawmakers who were suspected of being involved.
Despite the strong resistance from the UT administration and their continuous insistence that Hall’s inquiries had no merit, investigations by Watchdog Texas and other groups have repeatedly proven Hall to be correct. UT President Bill Powers submitted his resignation, to be effective in July 2015, after an ultimatum from UT Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa.
After serving as the 28th president of UT for nine and a half years, Powers will transition back to the university’s School of Law, where he previously served as dean before becoming president.
“Words are not enough to thank you all for the Texas spirit you have shown as, together, we have moved the University forward,” Powers wrote in a letter addressed to university students, faculty, and staff on Tuesday morning.
The University’s 132nd Commencement ceremony was canceled in May due to inclement weather, but the Class of 2015 put together- alongside President Bill Powers, Chancellor William McRaven, Student Government President Kori Rady, and Commencement speaker Darren Walker- a shortened commencement program. In his speech, Powers spoke on the importance of transitioning and building bridges.
Gregory Fenves, who has served as executive vice president and provost at UT since October 2013, will take over the job as university president on June 3rd.
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