As the hundreds gathered at the Meyerson for A Celebration of Reading with authors Harlan Coben, Dana Perino, Jodi Picoult, Scott Simon and Markus Zusak on Monday, October 12, several dozen suits and their sweethearts were at Harlan Crow’s latest project — Old Parkland Campus Part II.
While still not officially open, the Methodist Health System Foundation team managed to get a sneak preview of the magnificent collection of buildings, statues and architecture. The reason was the Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award patron party honoring 2015 honoree Jack Lowe Jr.
Originally scheduled to take place in the Centennial Hall, the reception was moved to the Green Dragon. Seems the Centennial wasn’t quite finished for partying. Still the Crow folks weren’t about to disappoint. After official welcome words were provided by MHSF CEO/President April Box, Dinner Co-Chair Harold MacDowell and Jack himself, hard hat tours were provided of the hall.
Highlight of the talks was Jack, whom April had described as one of the most humble folks she had encountered. Jack’s comeback: “I may be humble but not too humble not to accept this award.”
That tone was just a hint of what to expect at the October 14th dinner at the Hilton Anatole, when Jack would officially be presented with the award and be the target of the MHSF mischief makers.
According to the tradition of the Folsom Awards, the recipient designates how the funds raised at the dinner will be used. So, it was revealed that Jack had selected the monies were to benefit the CenteringPregnancy program at Methodist. In addition to “decreasing the number of preterm birthrates in Dallas,” Centering Pregnancy also provides “well-woman and well-baby care through the first year.”
In the crowd were Folsom kids (Steve Folsom and his sister Diane Folsom Frank), Mary Lowe, Gay and Bill Solomon, David McAtee, Genevieve Quick, Catherine New, Dinner Co-Chairs Bob Ferguson and Louis B. “Ben” Houston, as well as Trammell S. Crow, who was on the lookout for green-loving types in the crowd.