An esteemed Dallas lunch crowd gathered at the Belo Mansion recently to celebrate Ralph Hawkins, chairman of the board of HKS Inc. and chair of the Dallas Regional Chamber, who received the 13th annual Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award. New Texas Woman’s University’s chancellor and president Dr. Carine M. Feyten, along with the last year’s recipient, Mary Brinegar, presented Hawkins with the honor.
“Ralph Hawkins’ impact can be seen through his work and in his love of education and ongoing mentoring of students in his profession,” Feyten said.
Prior to becoming chairman of the board of HKS, Hawkins served as its CEO for 12 years, overseeing the planning and design of more than $1 billion worth of projects throughout the world. In the Dallas area alone, HKS’ designs include Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas Hamon Tower, AT&T Stadium and Texas Woman’s University T. Boone Pickens Institute of Health Sciences-Dallas Center. Their work also includes the expansion of both DFW Airport’s Terminal D and the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center.
Hawkins took his time at the acceptance podium to praise Virginia Chandler Dykes, calling her a dynamic healthcare provider and community leader who has made a real impact on the lives many young people at TWU.
“I had the honor of working with Virginia in 1984 on a major building addition at Baylor University Medical Center, which makes this award even more meaningful to me as a healthcare architect,” Hawkins said. “I am honored to be chosen as the recipient of this award and flattered to be in the company of the recipients who represent the caring commitment and leadership she exemplifies.”
Established in 2002, the award is given annually to a Dallas leader with a life-long commitment to improving the quality of life in the community and to furthering the importance of education.
This luncheon also provides scholarships for four outstanding graduate students, while continuing to grow the Virginia Chandler Dykes Endowment. The students honored included Lenin Grajo from the College of Health Sciences (OT), Heidi Gilroy from the College of Nursing, Lena Jackson-Lynch from the College of Professional Education, and Tawny LeBouef Tullia from the College of Health Sciences.
Attendees included many former recipients of the award — Geraldine “Tincy” Miller, Marnie Wildenthal, Caroline Rose Hunt, Kathleen Mason, Kimberly Schlegel Whitman and Patricia Meadows — as well as Myra Crownover, Billie Leigh Rippey, Regina Bruce and Gloria Sneed.
Diane Dillion, Anna Maria Farias,Candace Hensle, Phil Claybrooke
