Donor's generosity breathes new life into genetics and genomics research

Jenise L. Jacques

15 Feb 2024

Ruth and Arlen "Tom" Powers. Photo courtesy of Bill Culbertson. — Arlen "Tom" Powers, who earned a degree in mechanical engineering in 1956, and his wife, Ruth, on one of their travel adventures. Photo courtesy of Bill and Gail Culbertson.

Arlen “Tom” Powers '56 believed deeply in the power of transformation, especially when it came to harnessing computer science, mathematics, physics, and biology within the interdisciplinary field of bioinformatics.

Following years of consistent giving to the former Virginia Bioinformatics Institute, Powers, who passed away in February 2023, is now leaving a legacy with a recent $1.2 million estate gift to the Fralin Life Sciences Institute in support of genomics and genetics research. This gift will help facilitate work throughout the Fralin Life Sciences Institute, which has over 300 faculty affiliates and houses a variety of centers dedicated to research and research infrastructure and tools.

"The Fralin Life Sciences Institute is exceedingly thankful for the generosity Mr. Powers demonstrated over the years," Executive Director Rob McCarley said. "The recent bequest from Mr. Powers is a testament to his commitment to supporting life science research and education aimed at solving some of the biggest challenges in genomics and genetics. His devotion to VPI, like that for his career with the Department of the Navy, is deeply appreciated."

Serving as a member of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, Powers graduated in 1956 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He made his career building ships for the Department of Navy — a career he immensely enjoyed. In fact, he is one of the first to oversee the installation of computers on board submarines and aircraft carriers.

Arlen "Tom" Powers served as a member of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. During his lifelong career with the Department of Navy, he was one of the first to oversee the installation of computers on board submarines and aircraft carriers. Photo courtesy of Bill and Gail Culbertson.

According to Powers’ family, he had a strong love of science and believed genetic research would end up solving many medical problems of humankind.

For example, Virginia Tech’s Genomics Sequencing Center is a dedicated multiuser resource for the development and application of state-of-the-art, next-generation sequencing technologies. As a part of the institute's research service facilities, the Genomics Sequencing Center is a one-stop shop providing rapid, cost-effective project planning and execution, and genomic, transcriptomic, and functional-genomics services.

Powers also was keenly fascinated with the development of the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus, located close to Crystal City, Virginia, where he lived and worked as a career civilian for the Department of Navy.

Powers was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth, whom he referred to as the “love of his life” and was married to for 53 years. One of the activities they most enjoyed together was traveling all over the world. Though they did not have children of their own, they were avid animal lovers — even making pets of raccoons and squirrels — and supported the idea of plant-based food.

Known as the resident handyman, Powers was always fixing on a project or building something with his hands. Drawing upon his mechanical engineering background, he built his first personal cabin cruiser boat and used it on the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay for many years.

Virginia Tech offers many types of giving opportunities. You can also give directly to the Fralin Life Sciences Institute online.