Ralph Hawkins (of Preston Hollow), chairman of the board of HKS, Inc., and 2015 chair of the Dallas Regional Chamber, has been named the recipient of the 13th Annual Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award, presented by Bank of Texas and Texas Woman’s University and the Texas Woman’s University Foundation. The announcement was made at the Dallas Arboretum on September 23. Texas Woman’s University’s new Chancellor and President Dr. Carine M. Feyten will present the award at the Virginia Chandler Dykes luncheon event Feb. 19 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Belo Mansion and Pavilion, 2101 Ross Ave., Dallas, Texas.
“As the new chancellor and president of TWU, it is an honor to be a part of this 13th annual luncheon event, presenting the prestigious Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award to one of Dallas’ most outstanding leaders and businessmen,” said TWU Chancellor and President Dr. Carine M. Feyten. “Ralph Hawkins’ impact can be seen through his work and in his love of education and ongoing mentoring of students in his profession. We look forward to his leadership as the 2015 chair of the Dallas Regional Chamber, where we know his passion to make a difference will continue to improve the quality of life for others."
Established in 2002, the Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award is given annually to Dallas leaders with a lifelong commitment to improving the quality of life in the community and to furthering the importance of education. The award recognizes the life work of Virginia Chandler Dykes as an outstanding health care provider, whose professional and civic achievements represent a lifetime committed to helping others. Past award recipients are Mary Brinegar, 2014; Patricia and Curtis Meadows, 2013; Myrna D. Schlegel and Kimberly Schlegel Whitman, 2012; Joel Allison, 2011; Kathleen Mason, 2010; Caroline Rose Hunt, 2009; T. Boone Pickens, 2008; Lindalyn Adams, 2007; Dr. and Mrs. Kern Wildenthal, 2006; Gretchen Minyard Williams and J.L. “Sonny” Williams, 2005; Geraldine “Tincy” Miller, 2004; and Susan and Charles Cooper, 2003.
"I am honored to be chosen as the recipient of the Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award and flattered to be in the company of the recipients who represent the caring commitment and leadership she exemplifies," said Ralph Hawkins, chairman, HKS, Inc. "Virginia Dykes has had a big impact as a dynamic healthcare provider and community leader. I had the honor of working with her in 1984 on a major building addition at Baylor University Medical Center. That makes this award even more meaningful to me as a healthcare architect."
Prior to becoming chairman of the board of HKS, Inc., Ralph Hawkins served as its CEO for 12 years, overseeing the planning and design of more than $1 billion worth of projects throughout the world totaling 40 million square feet. In the Dallas area alone, HKS' designs include Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas Hamon Tower, AT&T Stadium for the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Woman's University T. Boone Pickens Institute of Health Sciences-Dallas Center, as well as expansion of both DFW Airport's Terminal D and the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center. He has been named Best Executive for a Professional Service Firm by the National American Business Awards; CEO of the Year (large firm category) by the Professional Services Management Journal; and one of the "Top 25 Best Bosses" by a Fortune magazine survey.
Hawkins shares his passion for education not only in healthcare design but also by serving as a mentor to students in the architectural profession. Ralph is a founding Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Architects and continues to participate. As a founding member, he served on the first certification examination committee to uphold adopted standards of "legally defensible and professionally sound." Ralph organized and produced the first AIA traveling presentation on significant healthcare architecture - educating, training and promoting architects in the health specialty. He also helped develop the organization's certification process, championing it as a key speaker at the national AIA convention.
Hawkins served as an adjunct professor at his alma mater, The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), where he taught graduate-level healthcare design. As a result of his contributions, the Board of Regents appointed him to the Visiting Council for the School of Architecture, and the president of UTA requested he serve on the Student Employee Consortium. He received the university's highest honor, the Distinguished Alumni Award. At his other alma mater, Rice University, he is a member of the School of Architecture William Ward Watkin Council.
Hawkins has been active in: AIA College of Fellows; William Ward Watkin Society at Rice University; AIA Academy for Health; Design Futures Council; Council of Fellows of American College of Healthcare Architects; United Way; AIA Large Firm Round Table; Construction Industry Round Table; University of Texas at Arlington Development Board Chair; University of Texas Chancellor's Executive Committee; and The Arts Community Alliance of Dallas. As the 2015 incoming chair of the Dallas Regional Chamber, he will continue his commitment to the ongoing improvement of the quality of life in the city of Dallas.
The Virginia Chandler Dykes Award namesake, Virginia Chandler Dykes, is known internationally for her work in occupational therapy. Locally, she is known for her leadership in many cultural and charitable organizations. In 2005 she was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to serve on the Texas Woman’s University Board of Regents, where she served until 2011.
Mrs. Dykes completed the graduate occupational therapy program at TWU in 1954 after earning her bachelor of arts in art and psychology from Southern Methodist University. She was the director of the Occupational and Recreational Therapy Department at Baylor University Medical Center for 25 years. In 2002, she established The Virginia Chandler Dykes endowed scholarship fund at TWU for occupational therapy students. Net luncheon proceeds provide additional scholarships for each of TWU’s four colleges: College of Health Sciences (Occupational Therapy), Nursing, Professional Education (COPE), and Arts and Sciences. Mrs. Dykes and her late husband Roland also helped to establish the Fanny B. Vanderkooi Endowed Lectureship for the School of Occupational Therapy at TWU, which has grown to be one of the premier continuing education offerings in Texas. She is also well known for her leadership in organizations such as The Dallas Opera, the Dallas Arboretum’s Women’s Council and the Fort Worth Opera.
The 2014 Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award Luncheon Advisory Committee members are: Joel Allison, Norm Bagwell, Barbara Bradfield, April Box Chamberlain, John Falldine, Ebby Halliday, Sharon McCullough, Bill Patterson, and Dee Collins Torbert.
“In addition to honoring outstanding individuals in the community, the Virginia Chandler Dykes luncheon provides scholarships for four outstanding graduate students, while continuing to grow the Virginia Chandler Dykes Endowment and helping the Dallas community better understand the value of TWU graduates to Dallas’ professional workforce,” added Dr. Feyten.
The following graduate students from all four colleges will be honored at the luncheon as recipients of scholarship funds: Lenin Grajo, Ed.M., OTR, College of Health Sciences (Occupational Therapy), sponsored by Edgemere – Dallas/SQLC Charitable Foundation; Heidi Gilroy, MSN, RN, APHN-BC, College of Nursing, sponsored by Luther King Capital Management; Lena Jackson-Lynch, Ed.M, MHR, College of Professional Education (COPE), sponsored by Geraldine “Tincy” Miller; and Tawny LeBouef Tullia, MA (English), College of Arts and Sciences, sponsored by Sis Carr.
Tickets for the February 19 luncheon are $175 for silver patron; $250 for gold patron. For more information, call 940-898-3872, visit www.twu.edu/vcd, or email SVenable@mail.twu.edu.
Texas Woman’s University is a public university that occupies a notable position in higher education as the nation’s largest university primarily for women with an enrollment of 15,075. Its campuses in Denton, Dallas and Houston are joined by an e-learning campus offering innovative online degree programs in business, education and general studies. TWU serves the citizens of Texas in many important ways, including: graduating more new healthcare professionals than any other university in Texas; easing the teacher shortage by placing highly qualified professionals in the classroom; offering a liberal arts-based curriculum that prepares students for success in a global society; and conducting research that impacts the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity, osteoporosis, stroke and diabetes. For more information, visit www.twu.edu <http://www.twu.edu/> or call (940) TWU-2000.