It’s hard to imagine that it’s been 10 years since the Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award was established to recognize Dallas leaders with a life-long commitment to improve the quality of life in the community and to further the importance of education.
Named in honor of Virginia Chandler Dykes, who is world-renowned for her work in occupational therapy, this year’s award was presented to the mother/daughter team of Myrna Schlegel and Kimberly Schlegel Whitman Thursday at Belo Mansion. Presented by Bank of Texas, Texas Woman’s University and the Texas Woman’s University Foundation, the occasion also provided the opportunity to announce four graduate students (Heather Roberts, Kathleen Shannon-McAdams, Hannah Mills and Tiffany Smith) who will receive scholarships. During the past 10 years, 49 graduate and undergraduate students have received scholarships thanks to the luncheon.
In addition to previous award recipients (Joel Allison, Kathleen Mason, Caroline Rose Hunt, Lindalyn Adams and Marnie and Kern Wildenthal), eight former scholarship award winners attended the luncheon.
Speaking to guests that included Billie Leigh Rippey, Yvonne Crum, Joan Levy, Capera Ryan, Debbie Ryan, Ruth Buzzi, Sara and David Martineau, Ebby Halliday, Mary Poss, Carole and Scott Murray, Patty and Blaine Nelson, Patricia Meadows and Plack Carr, Virginia recalled how the first luncheon took place at the Lakewood Country Club with 100 in attendance.
Then TWU Chancellor/President Dr. Ann Stuart thanked Virginia and her husband Roland not just for their support but also for their vision and leadership.
Bank of Texas CEO Norm Bagwell in turn thanked Virginia and Ann, saying that BOT was a “proud partner” in the luncheon. This one was the sixth that BOT had been presenting sponsor.
It then fell on the 2011 award-winner/Baylor Health Care System President/CEO Joel Allison to introduce Myrna and Kim. Recognizing Myrna’s past experience in the health care industry, Joel suggested that perhaps she could help educate Congress on health care reform and entrepreneurship. The luncheon crowd applauded their agreement.
Myrna met Joel’s comments with gracious acceptance, saying, “We must never lose focus of the importance of training qualified personnel to meet our future health care needs, which is exactly why universities such as TWU are so vitally important to support.”
Upon accepting the award, Myrna added, “It is very special to share this honor with Kim and to be associated with TWU, whose faculty works each day ensuring that our future health care professionals are not only receiving a top education, but also learning the importance of research, teaching and leadership.”
Following her mother, Kim said, “I feel grateful for the many lessons and values my parents taught me, but the two that stand out are the value of an education and the importance of giving back. I believe we learn the values of a giving heart and generous spirit by example. I watched my parents and grandparents working in health care centers, and my mom learned from the example of her parents who fostered 36 children while she was young. To carry on great Dallas traditions, the next generation of daughters and sons inherit the responsibility for the well-being of the city and region. TWU’s Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award and the scholarships provided are a testament to the value of ensuring access to education and all it means to the next generation.”
Photos provided by Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award Luncheon