Agnes Scott College has received a groundbreaking investment from alumna and trustee emerita Mary Lou Cornwall Hawkes ʼ65 and her husband, James B. Hawkes. The gift, announced during Alumnae Weekend in celebration of Mary Lou’s 60th reunion, will support the college’s Physician Assistant program, a newly established 24-month curriculum aimed at promoting inclusive healthcare and furthering the college’s commitment to serving diverse communities through compassionate care. 

“This extraordinarily generous support will have a meaningful impact on Agnes Scott College and the greater Atlanta community,” said President Leocadia I. Zak. “Our new Physician Assistant program is grounded not only in our mission to educate students to think deeply, live honorably and engage the intellectual and social challenges of their times, but also in our tradition of innovation and our commitment to public health and medical sciences. We are so grateful for the Hawkes’ support, which enables us to build on our legacy and invest in the future, ensuring we continue to lead, innovate, educate and serve.”

The Hawkes’ $15 million investment includes a $5 million allocation for the renovation of the program’s home, Hopkins Hall, equipping it with state-of-the-art technology and advanced instructional facilities for medical training. Additionally, the gift establishes a $10 million endowment, ensuring sustained financial support for the program in the long term. 

“In making this investment, we knew it would benefit everyone–the college, students and society,” Mary Lou and Jim Hawkes said. “Our long history with Agnes Scott has shown us the exceptional strength of its programs, which open doors of opportunity for students. We are proud to support a program that will have a lasting impact at the college, in our communities and beyond.”

With Georgia designated as a Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Area, meeting only 40 percent of its current healthcare needs, the gift arrives at a critical time in developing Georgia's healthcare workforce pipeline. Reflecting this urgent need for primary care, the demand for physician assistants is projected to grow by 34.2 percent in the metro-Atlanta area by 2033, outpacing the national average by nearly 26 percent.

“The launch of our Physician Assistant program is a visionary approach to healthcare, building on the college’s decades of success in pre-medical education,” said Dr. Rachel A. Bowser, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college. “This gift is an affirmation of our vision: to invest in programs that are responsive to community needs and prepare students to be mission-driven, empathetic practitioners. In recognition of this generous commitment, the program will be known as the Mary Lou Cornwall ‘65 Hawkes and James B. Hawkes Physician Assistant Program.

Agnes Scott continues to make strides in addressing market demand and providing pathways for career and economic success. In a notable achievement for the college, in 2023, 100 percent of qualified Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical certificate and Medical Sciences master’s students were accepted into medical school during their first application cycle. 

As Agnes Scott continues to expand its offerings, support from donors like the Hawkes is becoming increasingly important, helping to ensure the college remains at the forefront of education. 

“Two and one-half million dollars of Mary Lou and Jim’s groundbreaking support was given to provide a match to help the college reach its $10 million goal for renovating Hopkins Hall,” said Cheryl Webster, vice president for college advancement. “This challenge amplifies the impact of the Hawkes’ gift and encourages a spirit of collective action. Agnes Scott is a driving force behind meaningful change, and this commitment to expanding opportunity is at the heart of our mission.”

The Physician Assistant program has applied for provisional accreditation, with a decision expected in June 2026, and plans to matriculate its first class in October 2026. Learn more at agnesscott.edu.