Dorothy E. Hicks, was a gracious benefactor to Marshall University who retired as a faculty member from the Division of Exercise Science Sports and Recreation.
She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Peabody College and received her doctorate of education degree from the University of Tennessee and other advanced work from the University of Pittsburgh.
She served Marshall and its students for 30 years (1969-99) until her retirement. Her academic service included being the chair of the Women's Physical Education Department, professor of education and coordinator of clinical supervision of student teachers.
She was named the chair of the men and women's physical education departments when they merged, and also served as the associate athletic director and faculty representative for the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women, the Southern Conference and the NCAA.
Hicks was the first woman to serve as the president of the Southern Conference. The Southern Conference honored her by creating the Dorothy Hicks Woman Graduate Scholarship made available for a female athlete to attend graduate school.
Known as the pioneer of women's athletics at Marshall, Hicks believed it was her professional responsibility to provide athletic opportunities for female students at Marshall. In honor of her support, the women's softball field carries her name — The Dorothy Hicks Softball Complex (The Dot) — and the Big Green Foundation named their endowed scholarship program in her honor — The Dr. Dorothy Hicks Endowed Scholarship Program. For her decades of dedication to education and the advancement of women's athletics, numerous national and state awards and honors have been bestowed on her.
Hicks is a member of Marshall's prestigious President's Circle, the John Marshall Society and the Heritage Society and has received the Marshall Alumni Association's Honorary Alumnus Award, The College of Education's Distinguished Education and Human Service Award, Marshall University Alumni Association's Distinguished Service Award and is a member of the Marshall Athletic Hall of Fame. She was honored by The Herald-Dispatch in 2012 as the Lowell Cade Sportsperson of the Year.
"Of all my many accomplishments in education, athletics, administration and philanthropy, I am most proud of being recognized for my teaching," Hicks said.
