More than 500 guests attended Texas Woman’s University’s 24th annual Dallas Leadership Luncheon on February 17 at the Hilton Anatole, where Dallas journalism icon Lee Cullum was presented with the Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award. The honor recognizes a civic leader whose work reflects “an enduring commitment to education and service.”

The event raised a record $330,000 — more than double the amount raised last year — for graduate student scholarships.

Cullum, widely known as the former host of CEO, KERA’s long-running interview series with prominent business leaders, has built a distinguished journalism career that has included commentary for PBS News Hour and NPR’s All Things Considered, as well as service as editor of the editorial page of the Dallas Times Herald. She currently contributes to The Dallas Morning News and Patron Magazine, and writes a Substack column titled La Vie en Orange. Cullum was selected for what Chancellor Carine Feyten described as her “thoughtful storytelling and reporting that reflects a range of perspectives” and strengthens the community.

In her welcome remarks prior to introducing Cullum, Feyten underscored TWU’s growing impact.

“When people hear the name Texas Woman’s University, they sometimes assume they already know our story,” Feyten said. “They think we are a small institution…or a university with a proud history, but a limited future. Nothing could be further from the truth.”

Calling TWU “bold, modern and deeply relevant,” Feyten cited continued athletic success, expansion of the Doswell School of Aeronautical Sciences, the opening of the $107 million Health Sciences Center, and the success of the Dream Big fundraising campaign. She noted that TWU’s mission to expand opportunities for women has never been more urgent.

The luncheon also recognized the 2026 Virginia Chandler Dykes Scholars — LaTonya Seldon, Valeria Millinga, Faith A. Tissot, Bitali Islam, LaToya Huntley and Marissa C. Gomez — who represent the university’s five colleges and are completing graduate studies in occupational therapy, nutrition, nursing, molecular biology, special education and human resources. Seldon spoke on behalf of the group.

“TWU has been a pillar for me — a place to build both skills and community,” she said.

A highlight of the program was a conversation between Cullum and her granddaughter, Lili Clark, a senior associate at Lyda Hill Philanthropies. Cullum shared intriguing anecdotes from her journalism career, including encounters with global leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Margaret Thatcher.

During the exchange, Cullum offered wisdom and insight drawn from decades in public life. “Do one thing at a time,” she advised. “Be calm after the change.” And, in advice that felt especially fitting for an event focused on supporting students: “Don’t just think of the answer. Become the answer.”

She also spoke about the university’s impact, noting that TWU “gives opportunities to women who might not otherwise have them — and gives our community the trained and educated women that we need.”

Near the close of the program, Cullum invoked the words of Rev. Jesse Jackson, who had passed away earlier that day: “Keep hope alive.” When asked what gives her hope now, she pointed to the scholars in attendance and to her granddaughter beside her.

“Young people like you,” she said. “Anyone has the ability to forge on, no matter what.”

Another highlight of the luncheon was the surprise announcement of the Lee Cullum Endowed Scholarship. Guests contributed $35,000 during the event, and the fund reached its $50,000 endowment level within 24 hours.

The luncheon was chaired by Lindsay Billingsley, Lucy Burns and Sumner Billingsley, with Lucy Billingsley serving as Honorary Chair and Ralph Hawkins as Honorary Chair Emeritus. Major sponsors included the Jane Bosart Foundation, the Billingsley/Burns Family, Luther King Capital Management, the Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership at Texas Woman’s University, Lyda Hill Philanthropies and Sue S. Bancroft.

To learn more about the luncheon or to support the Lee Cullum Endowed Scholarship, visit https://twu.edu/advancement

**PHOTO CREDIT: Texas Woman's University** 

More than 500 guests attended Texas Woman’s University’s 24th annual Dallas Leadership Luncheon on February 17 at the Hilton Anatole, where Dallas journalism icon Lee Cullum was presented with the Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award. The honor recognizes a civic leader whose work reflects “an enduring commitment to education and service.”

The event raised a record $330,000 — more than double the amount raised last year — for graduate student scholarships.

Cullum, widely known as the former host of CEO, KERA’s long-running interview series with prominent business leaders, has built a distinguished journalism career that has included commentary for PBS News Hour and NPR’s All Things Considered, as well as service as editor of the editorial page of the Dallas Times Herald. She currently contributes to The Dallas Morning News and Patron Magazine, and writes a Substack column titled La Vie en Orange. Cullum was selected for what Chancellor Carine Feyten described as her “thoughtful storytelling and reporting that reflects a range of perspectives” and strengthens the community.

In her welcome remarks prior to introducing Cullum, Feyten underscored TWU’s growing impact.

“When people hear the name Texas Woman’s University, they sometimes assume they already know our story,” Feyten said. “They think we are a small institution…or a university with a proud history, but a limited future. Nothing could be further from the truth.”

Calling TWU “bold, modern and deeply relevant,” Feyten cited continued athletic success, expansion of the Doswell School of Aeronautical Sciences, the opening of the $107 million Health Sciences Center, and the success of the Dream Big fundraising campaign. She noted that TWU’s mission to expand opportunities for women has never been more urgent.

The luncheon also recognized the 2026 Virginia Chandler Dykes Scholars — LaTonya Seldon, Valeria Millinga, Faith A. Tissot, Bitali Islam, LaToya Huntley and Marissa C. Gomez — who represent the university’s five colleges and are completing graduate studies in occupational therapy, nutrition, nursing, molecular biology, special education and human resources. Seldon spoke on behalf of the group.

“TWU has been a pillar for me — a place to build both skills and community,” she said.

A highlight of the program was a conversation between Cullum and her granddaughter, Lili Clark, a senior associate at Lyda Hill Philanthropies. Cullum shared intriguing anecdotes from her journalism career, including encounters with global leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Margaret Thatcher.

During the exchange, Cullum offered wisdom and insight drawn from decades in public life. “Do one thing at a time,” she advised. “Be calm after the change.” And, in advice that felt especially fitting for an event focused on supporting students: “Don’t just think of the answer. Become the answer.”

She also spoke about the university’s impact, noting that TWU “gives opportunities to women who might not otherwise have them — and gives our community the trained and educated women that we need.”

Near the close of the program, Cullum invoked the words of Rev. Jesse Jackson, who had passed away earlier that day: “Keep hope alive.” When asked what gives her hope now, she pointed to the scholars in attendance and to her granddaughter beside her.

“Young people like you,” she said. “Anyone has the ability to forge on, no matter what.”

Another highlight of the luncheon was the surprise announcement of the Lee Cullum Endowed Scholarship. Guests contributed $35,000 during the event, and the fund reached its $50,000 endowment level within 24 hours.

The luncheon was chaired by Lindsay Billingsley, Lucy Burns and Sumner Billingsley, with Lucy Billingsley serving as Honorary Chair and Ralph Hawkins as Honorary Chair Emeritus. Major sponsors included the Jane Bosart Foundation, the Billingsley/Burns Family, Luther King Capital Management, the Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership at Texas Woman’s University, Lyda Hill Philanthropies and Sue S. Bancroft.

To learn more about the luncheon or to support the Lee Cullum Endowed Scholarship, visit https://twu.edu/advancement

**PHOTO CREDIT: Texas Woman's University** 

Blue Goose Cantina is turning up the heat beginning Monday, March 9 with a limited-time menu from Augie’s Cocina, bringing crave-worthy dishes and refreshing sips to the table. Available for a short time only, the new offerings spotlight fresh, crave-worthy flavors, house-made touches and the signature flair guests have loved since 1984.

Leading the lineup are Birria Flautas ($16). Tender birria blended with Jack cheese is rolled in a flour tortilla, fried to a golden crisp and topped with lettuce, cilantro cream, spicy creamosa, pico de gallo and queso fresco. The dish is served with Spanish rice and rich consommé for dipping.

Pollo Adobado ($17) delivers a savory-sweet balance. An adobo-marinated chicken breast is grilled and finished with grilled pineapple pico, then paired with poblano rice, sautéed vegetables and a side of chipotle cream sauce.

Seafood lovers can dive into Fajita Shrimp Tacos ($17). Mesquite-grilled Blue Diamond shrimp are tucked into four mini flour tortillas and layered with cabbage slaw, roasted corn, avocado, chipotle mayo and queso fresco. The tacos are served with poblano rice and black beans for a satisfying finish.

To complement the new dishes, Blue Goose Cantina introduces two alcohol-free refreshers. The Watermelon Aqua Fresca ($6) blends premium El Cantinero cordial with fresh watermelon flavors and is topped with sweet grilled pineapple and jalapeños for a subtle kick. The Nada Colada ($6) is a blended piña colada without alcohol, offering tropical flavor without the morning-after regrets.

Established in 1984, Blue Goose Cantina brings together made-from-scratch Mexican food, legendary cocktails, attentive service and a high-energy atmosphere. A division of Peterson Management Group, the family-owned restaurant management company, Blue Goose operates eight North Texas locations in Frisco, Plano, Highland Village, McKinney, Grapevine, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie and North Richland Hills ( temporarily closed).

The Augie’s Cocina menu items are available for a limited time at participating locations. For more information, including menus and locations, visit BlueGooseCantina.com and follow Blue Goose Cantina on Facebook and Instagram for updates and promotions.

ABOUT PETERSON MANAGEMENT GROUP
Peterson Management Group is a family-owned and operated restaurant management company with 13 restaurants across North Texas. Founded by Bob Peterson and Scott Holyfield, the company operates Aw Shucks, Big Shucks Oyster Bar, and Blue Goose Cantina. Under the leadership of CEO Nick Peterson, the company continues a more than 40-year legacy rooted in great food, hospitality, and community connection.

Junior Achievement of Dallas (JA Dallas) will honor four visionary leaders at the annual Dallas Business Hall of Fame, to be held March 28, 2026, at the Omni Dallas Hotel. This prestigious fundraising gala will recognize the significant contributions of Allen Nye, Phillip Huffines, Steven Williams and Susan Adzick to the Dallas business community and beyond.

The Dallas Business Hall of Fame benefiting Junior Achievement of Dallas celebrates the best and brightest in the business community, recognizing leaders who have made an enduring impact on our region. Now in its 28th year, the event also raises critical funds to support JA Dallas’ mission of preparing the next generation for success in a global economy.

“Each of these honorees is an outstanding leader in their field and a powerful example of how business can be a force for good,” said Chris LaTurno, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of Dallas. “Their stories of innovation, leadership and service will inspire our students to dream big and build strong futures.”

Susan Adzick, President of McLane Restaurant, leads one of the largest food service systems distribution companies in the country, with 45 distribution centers delivering to more than 34,000 restaurants. A respected leader in food service and supply chain management, she has held executive roles at McLane and previously at PepsiCo Food Systems. Adzick is active in industry associations, having served in leadership roles on boards including the International Foodservice Distributors Association, National Restaurant Association and Women’s Foodservice Forum. A champion for community engagement, she’s also been involved with the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas and the Dallas Arboretum Women’s Council.

Phillip Huffines, Co-founder and Co-owner of Huffines Communities, has spent more than four decades transforming the North Texas landscape through visionary real estate development. His firm has developed more than 20,000 single-family homesites and 2,500 multifamily units, generating billions in value and supporting regional growth. Beyond business, Huffines is a dedicated mentor and philanthropist, supporting STEM education and entrepreneurship through the Huffines Foundation. He is a longtime Junior Achievement of Dallas board member and was named the organization’s Philanthropist of the Year in 2018.

Allen Nye is CEO of Oncor, Texas’ largest electric delivery company. Under his leadership since 2018, Oncor has emphasized safety, reliability and innovation while serving more than 13 million customers. A former partner at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP and Vinson & Elkins LLP, Nye brings a strong legal and regulatory background to his role, guiding Oncor through an era of rapid growth and modernization. He is also active in civic and industry organizations, supporting causes related to public service, economic development and education. 

Steven Williams, Executive Vice President and Vice Chairman of PepsiCo, is focused on building a unified PepsiCo selling organization, shaping a global strategy to accelerate growth in the company’s away‑from‑home business, and engaging stakeholders to support growth across the U.S. and around the world. A PepsiCo veteran since 2001, Williams previously served as CEO of PepsiCo North America, overseeing both the Foods and Beverages operating units. He has strengthened PepsiCo’s commercial capabilities and long‑term growth agenda while serving on boards including State Farm, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, and UT Southwestern, and is widely recognized for pairing strategic leadership with a deep commitment to community impact.

Since its inception, the Dallas Business Hall of Fame has raised more than $7 million. Those funds have helped JA Dallas bring nearly 800,000 local students learning experiences in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship, plus 3 million hours with corporate and community volunteers. These experiences are designed to empower today’s students to become the next generation of leaders, equipping them with the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to thrive.

For tickets, sponsorship opportunities and more information on the event, visit jadallasbusinesshalloffame.org.

About Junior Achievement of Dallas

Junior Achievement of Dallas (JA Dallas) inspires and prepares young people to succeed in a global economy. Over the past 70 years, the nonprofit organization has reached more than 1.3 million students across the region with real-world learning experiences in financial literacy, workplace readiness and entrepreneurship. In the past year alone, JA Dallas served 99,661 students through just over 50 school partners, powered by 3,124 volunteers who contributed 458,594 hours of their time, valued at more than $15.4 million. These immersive, hands-on experiences equip young people with the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to lead and thrive. Research shows that JA alumni are more likely to pursue higher education, feel confident managing money, experience career success and start businesses. For more information, visit jadallas.org.