After graduating from college, Alvin Powell joined the Peace Corps and was stationed as a teacher in Kenya



Powell went on to recently win the Harvard Hero award, an award given to an outstanding employee of Harvard University in his capacity as a writer for the Harvard Gazette.

After graduating from college, Alvin Powell joined the Peace Corps and was stationed as a teacher in Kenya

Alvin Powell has carved out his niche: after studying five years of biology at Harvard and working many years as a journalist he's ready to combine his two loves by writing about science.

A 1979 graduate of Wethersfield High School, Powell went on to recently win the Harvard Hero award, an award given to an outstanding employee of Harvard University in his capacity as a writer for the Harvard Gazette.

Powell went to college at UConn after graduating from WHS where he originally was going to major in pre-med, but then shifted to a major in journalism and took a minor in biology.

After graduating from college, Powell joined the Peace Corps and was stationed as a teacher in Kenya. Powell recalled that the rural setting was beautiful and that the land at the edge of a valley overlooked a lake in the area.

The school was a "Harambe" school meaning "let's pull together," because in rural Kenya the government set up few schools and villagers set many up. Powell said he taught English, math, physics, and chemistry. He also coached the track team.

"We raised money from Connecticut and helped build a library at the school," said Powell.

When Powell got back to the states, he worked as a reporter with the New Britain Herald. After working for a news wire covering the state house, he then worked for the Norwich Bulletin, also covering the state house. Next, he worked at the New Haven Register, where he covered governors William O'Neill, Lowell Weicker, and John Rowland.

After a time covering business also for the New Haven Register, Powell went on to work for the Bloomberg News.

At the same time, he kept up his interest in the natural world by volunteering at the New England Aquarium.

Powell, while working for Harvard's Gazette as a reporter, did his biology master's thesis at Harvard on "The Influence of Media Coverage on Endangered Species." Powell said that his thesis supports the correlation between the number of stories written about an endangered species and the amount of money being spent to save that creature.

"How we allocate our dollars is critical," he said.

About reporting, Powell said it is rewarding because "you learn something new every day... people are continually doing cutting edge research."

Powell lives with his wife Jennifer and their five children. He said he is enjoying the time he has with his family now that his studies are over, and that he looks forward to writing more science articles for his current publication, the Harvard Gazette.


©Wethersfield Post 2005

When this story was posted in July 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:



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American Taboo: A Peace Corps Tragedy Returned Volunteers met with author Philip Weiss in Baltimore on June 18 to discuss the murder of Peace Corps Volunteer Deborah Gardner. Weiss was a member of a panel that included three psychiatrists and a criminal attorney. Meanwhile, the Seattle U.S. Attorney's office announced that Dennis Priven cannot be retried for the murder. "We do not believe this case can be prosecuted by anyone, not only us, but in any other jurisdiction in the United States." Read background on the case here.

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July 2, 2005: This Week's Top Stories Jim Bullington writes: Food Crisis in Niger 1 Jul Bobby Shriver helps organize Philadelphia Live 8 show 2 Jul Divinity school to start Moyers Scholar program 2 Jul Chic Dambach is President of Operation Respect 1 Jul Julian Dendy assesses Palau plant and insect diversity 1 Jul George Packer writes “The Home Front” about Iraq 1 Jul Mike Honda works to preserve WWII internment camps 1 Jul Jim Walsh supports increased benefits for veterans 1 Jul RPCVs discuss Peace Corps on VOA 1 Jul Jimmey Iszler brings international visitors to ND 30 Jun Chris Shays' bill prohibits anti-gay discrimination 30 Jun Mae Jemison to visit China 30 Jun Bob Taft praises Lake Erie on ‘Fish Ohio Day’ 30 Jun Jim Doyle announces Wisconsin budget surplus 30 Jun Al Kamen says Rehnquist may stay on with Nike 29 Jun Richard Celeste co-chairs report on Indo-US cooperation 29 Jun Director Vasquez in Caribbean to assess programs 29 Jun Thomas Gouttierre says militants desperate to interfere 29 Jun James Mayers teaches business in Bulgaria 28 Jun Prosecutor says Ex-coach stalling in RPCV assault 28 Jun Robert Tesh tests effects of West Nile virus 27 Jun

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June 26, 2005: This Week's Top Stories Mark Schneider says "Time running out in Haiti" 23 Jun Austin Merrill reviews the Rwandan story 26 Jun Elaine Chao named most underrated cabinet member 26 Jun Erik Martini headed to India in Foreign Service 25 Jun Franklin Williams Awards honors Community Leaders 24 Jun Trip Mackintosh's firm to represent Gitmo prisoners 24 Jun Tom Murphy applauds eminent domain decision 24 Jun DRI has furnished over $30 million in direct aid 24 Jun Doyle may receive challenge in his own party 24 Jun Dr. E. Jackson Allison joins fight against HIV/AIDS 23 Jun WTOL asks: Should Governor Bob Taft Resign? 23 Jun Donald A. Camp in Kathmandu for State Dept visit 22 Jun Al Kamen says Hyde finishing last budget 22 Jun Alice Rabson, 84, has been an activist her entire life 21 Jun Peace Corps Receives $1 Million for Tsunami efforts 21 Jun Gaddi Vasquez is no-nonsense guy 20 Jun NPCA announces Nine New Directors 20 Jun American Taboo: A Peace Corps Tragedy 20 Jun

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June 19, 2005: This Week's Top Stories Al Kamen says hard to start new agency - Charlie Peters disagrees 19 Jun Kera Carpenter opens "W Domku" restaurant in DC 19 Jun Savannah Thomas Arrigo wins Peace Corps lottery 18 Jun Mark Gearan honored for service to the community 18 Jun Chris Dodd pushes credit card legislation 18 Jun Shalala says to learn from England's Health Service 17 Jun An Interview with Tony Hall 17 Jun House committee approves only $325 Million for PC 16 Jun Sam Farr joins New “Out-of-Iraq Congressional Caucus” 16 Jun Tom Weisner proposes whistleblower protection ordinance 16 Jun Issues, Not Race, elected Phil Hardberger 16 Jun Peace Corps honors Father's Day 16 Jun Heather O'Neal fell in love with Nepal 15 Jun UPI honored for reporting on Lariam 13 Jun RPCVs announce "Haiti Innovation" 12 Jun Gary Presthus says circuitous path can lead to success 10 Jun Chris Matthews interviews Bill Moyers 10 Jun Holly Neill driven to improve water quality 9 Jun Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn marks PC's 44th anniversary 4 Jun Joy Teiken's eveningwear design will walk down runway 1 Jun Reed Hastings says competitors don’t get business model 26 May

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June 14: Peace Corps suspends Haiti program After Uzbekistan, the Peace Corps has announced the suspension of a second program this month - this time in Haiti. Background: The suspension comes after a US Embassy warning, a request from Tom Lantos' office, and the program suspension last year. For the record: PCOL supports Peace Corps' decision to suspend the two programs and commends the agency for the efficient way PCVs were evacuated safely. Our only concern now is with the placement of evacuated PCVs and the support they receive after interrupted service.

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