“The City University of New York mourns the loss of Colin L. Powell, a true American hero who began his lifelong mission of service to his nation here at The City College of New York, class of 1958. Powell will be remembered as a soldier, a general, a statesman and a pioneer who broke racial barriers wherever he went throughout his distinguished and historic career.
“He was the first African American to serve as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, national security adviser and U.S. Secretary of State, and he never forgot his humble beginnings as a product of the South Bronx and New York City, who, like generations of CUNY students who preceded him and followed, were born to immigrant parents and attended the city’s public schools.
“General Powell’s ties to CUNY and its mission of serving the underserved ran deep. In 1997 he founded the Colin Powell Center for Policy Studies at City College. In 2013, the Center was transformed into the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership, focusing on developing the next generation of civic-minded leaders committed to public service and rooted in the social sciences. Speaking two and a half weeks ago with his daughter Linda Powell, a member of the school’s Board of Visitors, he reiterated the great pride he derived from his origins and upbringing, including the many lessons he learned at CUNY.
“At this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Alma, to Linda and her siblings Michael and Annemarie and to their entire extended family. General Powell’s devotion to the nation, and the history-making roles he played in shaping foreign policy during the last 40 years, will always be remembered and celebrated, as will his devotion to public service and to the students of the City University of New York.”
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