Concord University will hold a Founders Day Celebration on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015. The event begins at 2 p.m. in the Pais Fellowship Hall in University Point.
The gathering marks Concord’s 143rd anniversary. On Feb. 28, 1872 the school received its charter from the West Virginia Legislature.
A proclamation denoting 2015 as “The Year of Renewal” at Concord University will be issued during the program.
The Keynote Address will be delivered Mr. Kevin Powell. Powell is the CEO of Kevin Powell’s Automotive and Powersports Group. His dealerships represent nine different franchises with stores located in Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Charlotte and Pilot Mountain, N.C. These dealerships are consistently recognized as top producing dealerships in the state of North Carolina and amongst their respective brands nationwide.
Powell is well known throughout his region for his iconic advertising approach and zany commercials. Kevin literally can’t be missed on radio and television where his trademark character, “Krazy Kevin Powell,” can be found promoting his enterprise 24-hours-a-day. Kevin is “that guy” who says, “Everyone deserves a chance to ride or drive a nicer, newer car or motorcycle regardless of their past or current situation.”
A 1989 graduate of Concord University, he received a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. Powell has participated in the Business Symposium at Concord, has been the keynote speaker at the University’s Annual Alumni Banquet and was recently featured in the Concord University Alumni Magazine as a cutting-edge entrepreneur in the marketplace.
His entrepreneurial interests also include an insurance agency, a marketing company, a scrap metal business, and a professional automobile racing team. All told, he employs over 120 professionals and continues to grow quarterly.
Kevin and his race team have raced at famous tracks such as Daytona International Speedway, Talladega, Bristol and Martinsville, just to name a few. He has won over 60 races, two track championships, and has been voted most popular driver.
Kevin and his wife Rhonda Belcher Powell, a 1982 graduate of Concord, reside in Winston-Salem. They have been happily married for 27 years and have a 17-year-old son, Spencer.
The Founders Day celebration offers a time to honor recipients of academic and service awards. Recognition will be given to members of Concord’s Athens and Beckley campuses including faculty, staff and students for teaching, teamwork, scholarship, creativity and service. Faculty and staff receiving years of service awards will also be honored.
A reception will follow the program in the Erickson Alumni Lounge. The public is invited to attend the celebration. For more information contact Lora Woolwine, executive secretary to the president, at 1-304-384-6292 or lwoolwine@concord.edu
