Rice recognizes Lawson’s long legacy
Rice University is naming part of its campus central quadrangle the Rev. William A. Lawson Grove in honor of the community leader’s contributions to the university and the city.
Rice President David Leebron recently made the announcement at the Rice Kinder Institute for Urban Research’s virtual “Lunch-Out” event, in which Lawson was honored with the 2020 Klineberg Award.
The grove is located between Herring Hall and Brochstein Pavilion and houses the “Mirror” art installation by Jaume Plensa,
which was donated by Stephanie and William Sick.
“He (Lawson) brought people of different perspectives together to achieve progress for Houston. We think it’s important that our students, now and in the future, know of his impact and legacy,” Leebron said.
Lawson, who turns 92 this month, is the founding pastor emeritus of the Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church and a champion of civil rights. His namesake organization, the William A. Lawson Institute for Peace and Prosperity, serves the needs of Houston’s Third Ward and operates two charter schools for boys and girls and housing for seniors.
“The Lawson family is deeply moved by this overwhelming honor to our father and grandfather Rev. William Lawson,” said Lawson’s daughter and ABC 13 anchor Melanie Lawson. “We are so proud of the important contributions he and our late mother, Audrey Hoffman Lawson, made throughout their lives to this great city, always aimed at helping Houston to become diverse and inclusive. And we are extremely grateful to Rice University for such a beautiful and important recognition of their legacy.”