In recognition of GSA's 75th anniversary, I recently re-read Dr. M. Powell Lawton's autobiography. I had the good fortune to conduct a clinical fellowship at the Philadelphia Geriatric Center in 1979 where Powell was the director of research. He became my role model. Not so much for his research, though he had several seminal publications, but because of his character and compassion for older adults. Powell believed in advocacy and applied research that offered tangible results for older adults. As a mentor, he respected emerging gerontologists and imbued enthusiasm and dispensed constructive criticism that improved one's product. In my teaching, I convey his philosophy and care to my students with the hope that they will pass on his legacy to their mentees in their service to older adults.
Keywords: Advocacy; geriatric fellowship; history of gerontology; role models.