Professor Jon Powell ’98 inducted into Wake County Schools Hall of Fame

RALEIGH- Campbell Law School Professor Jon Powell '98, director of the law school's Restorative Justice Clinic (RJC), has been inducted into the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) Hall of Fame in recognition of his community service.

Powell was among the six new Class of 2025 inductees recognized at WakeEd's 12th annual Stars of Education Gala, presented by Martin Marietta, on Nov. 5 at the Raleigh Convention Center.

WakeEd Partnership(WakeEd) is a business-backed nonprofit organization committed to supporting teachers and students in Wake County Public Schools. Since 2013, the Hall of Fame has recognized those who have made a local impact in the categories of Arts, Athletics, Business, Community Service, Education and Entrepreneurship.

"Jon Powell has pioneered restorative practices in schools, courts and prisons," the WakeEd announcement states. "His work has shaped statewide policy and given victims and offenders a voice in the justice process."

The Class of 2025 Hall of Fame inductees are: Byron "Bo" Reece (Arts), Andy Fowler (Athletics), Sepi Saidi (Business - posthumous), Jackie Ellis (Education) and Venus Liles (Entrepreneurship).

The Restorative Justice Clinic is the law school's oldest pro bono clinic. The clinical programs at Campbell Law help students to build upon and practice that calling, and the Restorative Justice Clinic has allowed students to make a tremendous impact in the local community.

The RJC receives referrals from juvenile intake counselors, juvenile court, the local school system and private individuals who have been affected by crime or disruptive behavior.

The RJC strives to bring victims and offenders together using restorative justice practices in an effort to foster collaborative healing, rather than specifically seeking punishment. Campbell Law students engage all involved parties in dialogue to address the specifics of a violation, how it occurred, why it occurred, and what happened as a result. The project aims to discover how people and communities are hurt as a result of crime, and seeks to find the best solution to repair the damage that has been done.

To learn more about the Clinic and Powell's work, visit thislink.

Also honored were N.C. State Chancellor Emeritus Randy Woodson with this year's Vernon Malone Friend of Education Award and Dr. Alice Garrett with the Robert E. Bridges Lifetime Achievement Award.

Full bios and photos of each honoree can be found at https://www.wakeed.org/stars.

"This year's inductees have each shaped our community in powerful and lasting ways-from classrooms and courtrooms to boardrooms and beyond," said Keith Poston, president of WakeEd Partnership. "We are honored to celebrate their incredible contributions by welcoming them into the Wake County Public Schools Hall of Fame."

ABOUT WAKEED PARTNERSHIP
WakeEd Partnership (WakeEd) is a leading independent nonprofit backed by business and community leaders to support the teachers, students, and families of Wake County Public Schools. Since 1983, WakeEd has been committed to improving public education and advocating for excellent educational opportunities for all students. For more information, visit https://www.wakeed.org.

ABOUT CAMPBELL LAW SCHOOL

Since its founding in 1976, Campbell Law School has developed lawyers who possess moral conviction, social compassion, and professional competence, and who view the law as a calling to serve others. Among its accolades, the school has been recognized by the American Bar Association (ABA) as having the nation's top Professionalism Program and by the American Academy of Trial Lawyers for having the nation's best Trial Advocacy Program. Campbell Law boasts more than 5,000 alumni, who make their home in nearly all 50 states and beyond. In 2026, Campbell Law will celebrate 50 years of graduating legal leaders and 17 years of being located in a state-of-the-art facility in the heart of North Carolina's Capital City.

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