| HOUSTON, TX – The Houston Public Library will honor five outstanding individuals as part of the inaugural Honorary Fellows program.
The program honors exceptional individuals whose work, leadership, and contributions reflect the library’s mission to inspire lifelong learning, advance knowledge, and strengthen the community through access to information and ideas.
The inaugural Fellows are:
Dr. Ruth Simmons, Ph.D.
Fellow in Humanities & Letters
Mrs. Leigh McCranie Smith
Fellow in Arts & Culture
Dr. Peter Hotez, MD, Ph.D.
Fellow in the Sciences
Ms. Laura D. Bellows
Fellow in Industry & Commerce
Hon. William H. White
Fellow in Law & Civic Life
HPL Director Sandy Gaw will host a celebratory dinner on January 22, 2026 to install the honorees at the Julia Ideson Building.
“We are excited to take part in the great tradition of the public library being a source of inspiration and lifelong learning for all Houstonians,” noted Director Gaw. “Recognizing these outstanding Houstonians as Fellows of the Houston Public Library brings into focus the fact that all areas of knowledge—law, business, science, the humanities and the arts—are all vital parts of the life of the Library.”
The Houston Public Library Foundation will be hosting a celebratory Robert Burns’ Supper for the installation of the Fellows. The evening will feature bagpipes, tartan, remarks by His Britannic Majesty’s Consul General in Houston, and an original poem by Reyes Ramirez, poet laureate of the City of Houston.
More details will be available at houstonlibraryfoundation.org. |
