CELEBRATING 15 YEARS!

TEXAS WOMAN’S UNIVERSITY TO HONOR DR. STEPHEN MANSFIELD

WITH 15^TH ANNUAL VIRGINIA CHANDLER DYKES LEADERSHIP AWARD

Mansfield will be honored at luncheon in March

Preston Hollow Resident Dr. Stephen Mansfield, president and CEO of Dallas-based Methodist Health System, has been named the recipient of the 15^th 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 home of last year’s award recipient Francie Moody-Dahlberg on November 9. Texas Woman’s University Chancellor and President Dr. Carine M. Feyten will present the award at the Virginia Chandler Dykes luncheon event March 8, 2017, 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., at the Belo Mansion and Pavilion, 2101 Ross Ave., Dallas, Texas, 75201.

“The City of Dallas and its renowned medical community have been critical partners in TWU’s success for more than 50 years,” said Dr. Carine Feyten, TWU Chancellor and President. “TWU is honored to recognize Dr. Stephen Mansfield as the 15^th Annual Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award Recipient for the important role he has played in this partnership. Under his leadership, Methodist Health System has doubled in size, increasing both capacity and services offered and providing an incredible environment for our students and graduates to work and thrive. His inspirational leadership extends into the community, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to improving the quality of life, driving improvements to education and advancing partnerships.”

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 TWU alumna 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 Francie Moody-Dahlberg 2016; Ralph Hawkins, 2015; 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. 

Dr. Mansfield has served as president and CEO of Dallas-based Methodist Health System since 2006. During his tenure Methodist Health System has tripled in size and was acknowledged by Modern Healthcare as one of the 40 fastest growing health systems in the nation. Methodist also has been recognized by Thomson Reuters as one of the nation’s top healthcare performance improvement leaders. Committed to community involvement, Dr. Mansfield is an active member of the Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce, which he chaired in 2014. He is also the 2015 recipient of the Texas Association of Business’s Distinguished Business Leader Award. He was recognized by D Magazine as Healthcare Executive of the Year in 2014 and was included as “Top Newsmakers to Watch for 2013” by the Dallas Business Journal. In 2012, he was awarded “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Ernst & Young, and in 2009 he was selected as “Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser” by the March of Dimes.  He serves on the board for The Dallas County Community College District Foundation, Dallas Citizens Council, Institute of Healthcare Executives and Suppliers, Dallas Medical Resources, the American Hospital Association’s Governing Council, and State Fair of Texas Board of Directors. He is also a board member for his alma mater, the University of Tennessee at Martin. He and his wife, Marilyn, and their daughter reside in Dallas.

“As a huge fan of TWU and Dr. Feyten; an admirer of the great work of Ms. Dykes; and given the esteem I have for past recipients of the award, I am deeply humbled and honored to be the 2017 recipient of the Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award,” said Dr. Mansfied.

The Virginia Chandler Dykes Award namesake, Virginia Chandler Dykes, is known internationally for her work in occupational therapy. In 2012, Virginia and her late husband Roland were honored by the American Occupational Therapy Association for their sustained philanthropic service to Occupational Therapy Education, and in 2011, they were honored with the Texas Occupational Therapy Distinguished Service Award. Locally, she is known for her leadership in many cultural and charitable organizations. She was named the 2016 Visionary Woman by the Juliette Fowler Communities, and in 2014 she was honored as one of six Women of the Year by Les Femmes du Monde. 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.

“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: Laurie Stelter, College of Health Sciences (Occupational Therapy), sponsored by Edgemere – Dallas/SQLC Charitable Foundation; Katheryn Courville, College of Nursing, sponsored by Luther King Capital Management; Julie Southward, College of Professional Education (COPE); and Danielle “Kamica” King, College of Arts and Sciences.

In the past 15 years, more than $650,000 has been raised for scholarships from the proceeds of this luncheon. 

Tickets for the March 8 luncheon are $175 for silver patron; $250 for gold patron.  For more information, call940-898-3872, visit www.twu.edu/vcd, or email TRupani@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 approximately 15,000. 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. 

Four Scholarship Awards to be presented at 14^th Annual TWU Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award Luncheon Honoring Francie Moody-Dahlberg for her commitment to education, social services, the arts, and community development 

Erin Ellis is a student pursuing her doctorate of sociology from Texas Woman’s University with a 3.765 GPA and plans to graduate in December 2016 and continue teaching as well as researching in areas where positive change can be initiated.  Ellis is receiving one of four prestigious scholarships given by Texas Woman’s University at the 14^th Annual Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award Luncheon, presented by Bank of Texas, Texas Woman’s University, and the Texas Woman’s University Foundation, Feb. 10, at noon, at The Belo Mansion and Pavilion.  Sis Carr is the sponsor of the College of Arts and Sciences scholarship, honoring Ellis this year.

“I love teaching because I find it very rewarding to interact with my students and to learn from them as well as help guide their own learning processes,” said Ellis. “I am passionate about action research and would like to team up with community groups to do research to help meet the needs of the community.”

Since 2012, she has been a graduate teaching assistant in the department of sociology and social work at TWU. Ellis’ areas of specialization include medical sociology, women and children’s health, qualitative methodology, social theory, sociology of motherhood, criminology, deviant behavior and social control.   She is working on her dissertation proposal, which will be a qualitative study of women who suffered Hyperemesis Gravidarum during pregnancy, focusing on their experiences in navigating healthcare with medical professionals, employment issues as they are often too sick to work, and issues with family and friends who may not understand their illness.

“It is my hope that by giving these women a voice, I can help initiate positive change for future sufferers,” said Erin Ellis.

Ellis received her undergraduate degree in sociology from TWU in 2011 and her master’s in sociology in 2014. She originally planned to get her undergraduate degree in psychology and minor in sociology, but when all of the psychology classes were full, she began taking a full load of sociology courses.

“As I took more sociology courses, I was intrigued to discover how much people’s backgrounds, upbringings and the world around us influence who we become,” said Erin Ellis. “Before I began the graduate program at TWU, I was a stay-at-home mother to my three amazing children.  When I began working as a graduate assistant and then as a graduate teaching assistant in sociology, I was suddenly a full-time graduate student working part-time and being pulled in many directions.  I struggled with guilt over missing important milestones in my children’s lives and no longer being the kind of mom I wanted to be.”

Conversations with other graduate student mothers made her realize she was not the only one having these feelings, leading to her thesis project to give voice to these mothers and help them look for ways that departments, graduate schools, and the universities can better support them.   She discovered that graduate student mothers have high attrition rates, and when forced out of school due to lack of social and institutional support, brain drain results, harming not only these mothers but also the department and university that have invested time, money and energy into educating and training them.

“In my opinion, TWU is in a really unique position to craft methods of support for graduate student mothers given their history as an institution founded for women and one that primarily serves women,” added Ellis. “I would love to see TWU become a leader in supporting student parents but especially graduate student mothers.”

Ellis founded an online support and networking group for graduate student mothers on Facebook, which now has 69 members from all over the world who share articles and tips and pose questions to one another about navigating academia and parenting.

“I encourage graduate student mothers to seek out other mothers in the program who will be able to understand some of your unique struggles that your childless colleagues are not experiencing,” added Ellis. “Talk to one another and don’t see anyone as a threat or more qualified to be there.   You are not going to be the only one feeling overwhelmed and you can support one another.”

Ellis jokes that while her kids, now 12, 10, and 9, do not say that she is Wonder Woman, they do like to say that they have never seen their mom and Wonder Woman in the same room at the same time. 

“While they are not exactly sure what I do, they understand I teach college courses and think that is really cool,” added Ellis.

Raised by a single dad in Troutville, Virginia, she moved to Savannah, Georgia, when she was a junior in high school and attended Georgia Southern University for two years before dropping out to get married and move to Texas with her new husband. She received her first acceptance letter from TWU on the same day she learned that she was pregnant with her oldest child.  She decided to delay finishing her degree to focus on her baby.  Her second child was born when the oldest was 22 months old, and the third when the oldest was not quite 3. After spending several years as a stay-at-home mother, teaching preschool at her children’s school, she finished her undergraduate degree at TWU and began the graduate program as a pass-through PhD student. She and her husband of 12 years divorced after a long separation, and she remarried in 2015. Her husband, Tom Guffey, is also pursuing his PhD in the Department of Sociology and Social Work at TWU, and is one of her biggest cheerleaders.

Ellis is the recipient of numerous awards including the Allsup-Lane Scholarship, the Bertha and Morris Levy Endowed Scholarship, and multiple favorite faculty awards.  She also received the Outstanding Graduate Student Award in Scholarship for the Department of Sociology and Social Work. She is a member of the American Sociological Association, Sociologists for Women in Society, Southwestern Social Science Association, and Alpha Kappa Delta (the national sociological society), where she has held numerous officer positions.  She is a member of the alumni advisory committee of Alpha Omicron Pi Fraternity, Delta Theta Chapter (TWU), and has also served as the organization’s educational adviser at TWU as well president and treasurer at the Greater Tarrant Alumni Chapter and chapter relations chair at Georgia Southern University.

 “I feel incredibly honored and excited to receive this scholarship and am grateful to the professors in the sociology department who are always willing to help and have an open-door policy,” said Ellis.  “They are always willing to meet with us and help us to be as successful as possible.”

In addition to Ellis, graduate students from the remaining three TWU colleges will also be honored at the luncheon as recipients of scholarship funds: Veronica Rowe, College of Health Sciences (Occupational Therapy), sponsored by Edgemere – Dallas/SQLC Charitable Foundation; Tara L. Roush, College of Professional Education (COPE), sponsored by Geraldine “Tincy” Miller; and Mary Roberts, College of Nursing, sponsored by Luther King Capital Management.

TWU’s 14th Annual Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award Luncheon, Feb. 10 at the Belo Mansion and Pavilion, will honor Francie Moody-Dahlberg as the 2016 recipient of the Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award.  Tickets 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.

Roush will Received One of Four Scholarship Awards to be presented at 14^th Annual TWU Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award Luncheon Honoring Francie Moody-Dahlberg for her commitment to education, social services, the arts, and community development

Tara Roush, MS, is a student pursuing her doctorate in family therapy from Texas Woman’s University with a 4.0 GPA and plans to graduate in August 2016 and continue her work in academia and family therapy research. Roush is receiving one of four prestigious scholarships given by Texas Woman’s University at the 14^th Annual Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award Luncheon, presented by Bank of Texas, Texas Woman’s University, and the Texas Woman’s University Foundation, Feb. 10, at noon, at The Belo Mansion and Pavilion.  Geraldine “Tincy” Miller is the sponsor of the College of Professional Education Scholarship, honoring Roush this year.

“I am very passionate about my education and enjoy providing new knowledge and understanding in my field as well as learning from others, which helps me to grow and thrive,” added Roush.   

Roush works as a licensed marriage and family therapist associate at the University of Texas Southwestern (UTSW) in the Family Studies Center as well as in the neurology clinic that provides services for patients who suffer from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). 

“Specializing in medical family therapy, I work directly with families struggling with chronic or terminal illnesses,” added Roush.  “Sometimes I question why am I doing this? It is difficult and often heartbreaking, but I am reminded on a daily basis that it is an honor and privilege to be a part of their therapeutic processes.  They trust me to walk with them through their difficult stories or journeys, and find meaning and peace.  As we guide couples and families to have open communication about their needs, desires, fears, and hopes, they are able to recognize how the illness affects themselves as well as their relationships. It is truly an honor for clients to take risks and sit with me through their fears and pain.”

Some memorable highlights of her work include helping a couple overcome the severe trauma of losing a child to possible suicide; working with patients with sickle cell to help them feel empowered to take control of their illnesses; and helping ALS patients who lose the ability to speak regain their voices through the process of recognizing and understanding their needs and desires in therapy.

Roush has received all of her educational training at TWU:  a bachelor’s in psychology in 2010; a masters in marriage and family therapy in 2013; and presently, a doctor of philosophy, marriage and family therapy.  She is a teaching assistant in TWU’s Department of Family Sciences and has also served as a research assistant and graduate assistant. She has published in multiple journals, presented numerous research posters at state and national conferences and has two scholarship projects in progress related to couples and health.  She has also served for one year on the Board of the Student Association for Marriage and Family Therapy as president at TWU. Most recently she was asked to present her knowledge and expertise in medical family therapy at muscular dystrophy associations and other regional associations in the field. In addition, she was invited to present a workshop to all TWU departmental students as part of our annual student seminar day for the spring semester.

“TWU has provided me with many opportunities to grow and excel as a clinician, researcher, and essentially a faculty member at a university,” added Roush.  “I am so honored and grateful to receive this scholarship. I am especially thankful to Virginia Chandler Dykes for this recognition and my professors who believed in me enough to nominate me.” 

Roush and her husband, Paul, live in Las Colinas.

In addition to Roush, graduate students from the remaining three TWU colleges will also be honored at the luncheon as recipients of scholarship funds: Veronica Rowe, College of Health Sciences (Occupational Therapy), sponsored by Edgemere – Dallas/SQLC Charitable Foundation; Mary Roberts, College of Nursing, sponsored by Luther King Capital Management; and Erin Ellis, College of Arts and Sciences, sponsored by Sis Carr.

TWU’s 14th Annual Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award Luncheon, Feb. 10 at the Belo Mansion and Pavilion, will honor Francie Moody-Dahlberg as the 2016 recipient of the Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award.  Tickets 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 15,303. 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.  

Francie Moody-Dahlberg,  executive director and a trustee of The Moody Foundation as well as a director of the Moody Endowment, has been named the recipient of the 14^th 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 home of last year’s award recipient Ralph Hawkins on October 6.  Texas Woman’s University Chancellor and President Dr. Carine M. Feyten will present the award at the Virginia Chandler Dykes luncheon event Feb. 10, 2016, 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., at the Belo Mansion and Pavilion, 2101 Ross Ave., Dallas, Texas, 75201.

“TWU is thrilled and honored to name Francie Moody-Dahlberg as the 14^th Annual Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award Recipient,” said TWU Chancellor and President Dr. Carine M. Feyten.  “The impact of her work in the community, coupled with the work of the family foundation, is absolutely immeasurable.  With an ongoing emphasis on education, social services, children’s needs, the arts, and community development, Francie and The Moody Foundation are inspiring transformation in this community and beyond – not only for thousands of people today, but also for many generations to come.”

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 TWU alumna 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 Ralph Hawkins, 2015; 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. 

Francie Moody-Dahlberg serves on the board of AT&T Performing Arts Center and the executive board of Southern Methodist University’s Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development as well as the advisory board of the Perot Museum of Nature and Science.  She is serving as honorary chair of the capital campaign, “Working Wonders,” for the University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston.  In 2013, she served as the honorary chair of the Equest Luncheon, and The Crystal Charity Ball elected her to the 2015 Dallas Best Dressed List.  At The Moody Foundation, she is continuing her family’s legacy of supporting projects that benefit present and future Texans.

The Moody Foundation was established in 1942 by Moody-Dahlberg’s great-grandparents William L. Moody Jr. and his wife, Libbie Rice Shearn Moody. The foundation has awarded grants throughout the state, often focusing on capital projects for private colleges as well as support for children’s health projects, museums, gardens, libraries and historic preservation. Over the years, it has made more than $1.2 billion in grants throughout the state to organizations that have educated, healed, nurtured, and inspired generations of Texans.  Recent gifts include challenge grants to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and funding for critical resources in stem cell and cancer research at the Children’s Research Institute. Other projects include sponsorship of the Winspear’s Starlight Chandelier; assistance with construction and maintenance of Klyde Warren Park and Moody Plaza within the park; construction of the Letot Girl’s Residential Treatment Center; the Moody Family YMCA in the Park Cities; a wellness park at the new Parkland Hospital; The Moody Oasis rooftop garden at the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden; and renovation of SMU’s Moody Coliseum.  The foundation is known for Moody Gardens in Galveston, conceived in the ‘80s and generating annual revenues in excess of $50 million as well as revenues to area businesses. Additional projects include The Transitional Learning Center, offering rehabilitation services to survivors of traumatic brain injury and research opportunities and Moody Scholars, begun in 1969, providing over $1 million in scholarship assistance to 18 Texas schools per year. From arts and education, to social services, to environmental causes and health, The Moody Foundation has stayed true to the founder’s intent “to benefit in perpetuity present and future generations of Texans.”  

In November, The Moody Foundation will be honored with the Outstanding Foundation Award by the Greater Dallas Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals at the National Philanthropy Day Awards Luncheon.

"This is such a wonderful honor, and I am truly pleased to be able to support the outstanding graduate education that the Virginia Chandler Dykes Award has come to represent,” said Francie Moody-Dahlberg.

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 2015 Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award Luncheon Advisory Committee members are: Joel Allison, Norm Bagwell, Barbara Bradfield, April Box, John Falldine, Sharon McCullough, and Bill Patterson.

“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: Veronica Rowe, College of Health Sciences (Occupational Therapy), sponsored by Edgemere – Dallas/SQLC Charitable Foundation; Mary Roberts, College of Nursing, sponsored by Luther King Capital Management; Tara L. Roush, College of Professional Education (COPE), sponsored by Geraldine “Tincy” Miller; and Erin Ellis, College of Arts and Sciences, sponsored by Sis Carr.  

In the past 14 years, over $550,000 has been raised for scholarships, and nearly 100 scholarships have been awarded from the proceeds of this luncheon. 

Tickets for the February 10 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’s Dallas Campus celebrated the investiture of Carine M. Feyten, Ph.D., as its 11^th president and second chancellor on January 20 at a reception for the invited Dallas community and those affiliated with the TWU Dallas campus, at the TWU T. Boone Pickens Institute of Health Sciences – Dallas Center, which offers programs in nursing (undergraduate completion) and graduate programs in nursing, health systems management, occupational therapy, physical therapy, communication sciences and disorders (Stroke Center) and the Executive M.B.A. (hybrid program.)

Introduced by Dr. Stephen Mansfield, chairman of the board of directors for the Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce and president and CEO of the Dallas Methodist Health System, Dr. Feyten discussed the importance of the Dallas campus and the health-centered programs that align TWU with the needs of the Dallas medical community through strong strategic partnerships. 

Attendees included Steve Love; Dr. Perrie Adams; Virginia Chandler Dykes; Patricia Crocker; Alred Rivas, Susan Stout, and Heather Norris of Tiffany & Co; as well as students, faculty and staff of the Dallas Campus.

Dr. Feyten became chancellor and president of TWU – the nation’s largest university primarily for women – in July 2014.  She oversees the university with an annual operating budget that exceeds $236 million and serves approximately 15,000 students on campuses in Denton, Dallas, and Houston.  The university employs almost 1,700 faculty and staff and has an annual economic impact of more than $529 million.

Dr. Feyten presented part of her original inaugural address, “Moving Beyond the Inflection Point: Pioneers for a New Era,” with a special focus on the Dallas campus.  She discussed the optimism and determination of TWU to reach even greater heights of achievement on the Dallas, Denton and Houston campuses. 

According to Dr. Feyten, one of the key strategic themes as TWU continues to move forward is development of strategic partnerships and collaborations involving K-12, community colleges, area universities, community organizations and health and business entities in the DFW area.  For example, TWU is planning to launch new degree offerings in informatics, particularly health informatics.  TWU has met with key health care leaders concerning this program, including members of the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council as well as community college leaders and others regarding the university’s unique inter-professional approach to ensure educational and workforce needs are fulfilled at the highest level in the Metroplex. Steve Love, president and CEO of the council, attended the event.

Similarly, TWU has recently signed key partnerships with Tarrant Community College and is exploring expanded programming with Collin College, including a new collaborative, “affordable degree” option with Collin College.  TWU is also anticipating increased collaboration in externally-funded medical research and education, building on existing collaborations with area universities and hospitals.  An example of this is the recently funded (Summer 2014) Veterans Administration and Nursing Academic Partnership (VANAP) Grant, an innovative education and practice collaboration between veteran care facilities and the TWU College of Nursing that will ensure quality Veteran care now and in the future.  TWU is one of only three national recipients of this grant funding.

A native of Belgium, Dr. Feyten holds a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Education, Second Language Acquisition from the University of South Florida; an M.A. in English, Dutch, Education; and a B.A. in Germanic Philology. She received both her M.A. and B.A. from the Université Catholique de Louvain in Belgium.  Dr. Feyten is an internationally recognized consultant, speaker and scholar in the field of language learning, teaching methodologies and the integration of technology in education.  She has authored or co-authored more than 100 journal articles, conference papers, and book chapters.  Dr. Feyten is fluent in five languages and previously served as dean of the College of Education, Health and Society at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

“The City of Dallas – especially its renowned medical community – has been a critical partner in TWU’s success for more than 50 years,” said Dr. Feyten.  “I am excited about this opportunity to introduce myself to Dallas and for us to work together for a strong future that benefits the university, the medical community and the city.”

TWU is among the nation’s leading providers of nurses and other health care professionals as well being a top producer of occupational therapists. The Dallas campus is an integral and important part of TWU’s national status and rankings. U.S. News and World Report ranks TWU’s graduate programs in occupational therapy (15^th nationally) and physical therapy (27^th) as among the best in the nation in its 2014 Best Graduate Schools issue.

TWU is one of only five universities nationally that offers a Ph.D. in physical therapy and one of only three universities to offer a Ph.D. in occupational therapy, which is considered the most rigorous degree in the field.    

TWU began its Dallas presence in 1964 with the university’s nursing program at Parkland Hospital followed with the opening of the TWU Institute of Health Sciences-Dallas Center, near Parkland Hospital, in 1966.

In 2011, The TWU T. Boone Pickens Institute of Health Sciences – Dallas Center, funded largely with a $5 million gift by Texas oilman and entrepreneur T. Boone Pickens, opened.  The campus houses TWU’s Houston J. and Florence A. Doswell College of Nursing and the renowned TWU Stroke Center-Dallas. The TWU Dallas campus is comprised of an eight-story, 190,000-square-foot-building that features state-of-the-art physical and occupational therapy labs and a Mock ICU with mannequins simulating real-time conditions. 

TWU’s Dallas center has an enrollment of 1,400 students with approximately 500 undergraduate students and 900 graduate students. 

Founded in 1901, Texas Woman’s University is the nation’s largest university primarily for women and is a public university with an enrollment of approximately 15,000 students on campuses in Denton, Dallas and Houston.  TWU offers more than 140 undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degree programs in the liberal arts, nursing, health sciences, business, the sciences and education. For more information, visit www.twu.edu or follow TWU on Twitter @TWUNews.