Wilson & Associates, one of the nation’s top international interior architectural design firms founded in Dallas, TX in 1978, held its eighth annual Point of Excellence Awards Luncheon at the Hotel Crescent Court in Dallas on November 2, 2005 and the fifth annual Pint of Excellence Awards Luncheon at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills on June 16, 2005. Together the luncheons raised over $190,000 for the foundation.

The luncheon honors vendors and service consultants of Wilson & Associates that exhibit exemplary service and perform above and beyond expectations. The event benefits the Wilson Education Foundation (WEF) which was founded by Trisha Wilson in 1997 to endow financially disadvantaged Dallas high school graduates with four-year college scholarships as well as to provide scholarships and other educational or medical assistance to organizations world-wide.

The Wilson Education Foundation has grown out of Trisha Wilson’s longtime interest in education. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Trisha received the 2004 Distinguished Alumni Award, an honor bestowed upon graduates who have distinguished themselves professionally and through service to the University of Texas at Austin. She also sits on a number of education-related national boards including the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, the Education Task Force of the Governor’s Business Council (Texas) and the Development Board of the University of Texas.

To date, the Wilson Education Foundation has awarded a total of $440,000 in scholarships to financially underprivileged high school graduates. This year, the Foundation awarded its ninth and tenth 4-year college scholarships to Juliette Long and Felicia Garcia, both of whom plan to attend Texas A&M University-Commerce.

“The members of this firm, our clients, vendors and service consultants travel the world for business, and these experiences have reminded all of us how truly blessed we are,” Trisha Wilson says. “My associates and I believe that a solid education is the best vehicle for change. By providing the resources needed for the education of these scholarship recipients, we hope to make a difference in both their lives and the world at large.”

At the November 2 event in Dallas, noted South African pediatrician Dr. Peter Farrant spoke about the work he does in his community to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic and his continuing efforts to support fellow South Africans whose lives have been blighted by apartheid, poverty and deprivation. Thanks in large part to the financial assistance provided by the Wilson Education Foundation, Dr. Farrant has been able provide first-rate primary healthcare to the people in the region.

“I am deeply moved by Dr. Farrant’s commitment to promoting good heath and strong education in South Africa, and I am determined to help him in any way I can,” says Wilson.

In an effort to extend her support, Trisha Wilson has used funds raised through WEF to personally improve adverse conditions at the Dibaphofu School nearby her home in South Africa. When she first discovered the ramshackle state school, it had 20 day students from the Sotu tribe who shared books and were given a minimal lunchtime meal. Now the school serves 60 students, some of whom sleep at the school. Wilson has made ongoing donations to fund everything from plaster and paint for the classrooms to a water system, vegetable garden, kitchen, clothing, schoolbooks and more.

The Foundation also raises funds to build and provide scholarships for a private school for children in the South African community called the Waterberg Academy. The first phase of the school opened in January of 2003 and continues to grow. Currently sponsoring twelve students at the Waterberg Academy, the Foundation has also funded the addition of two classrooms and even supports one teacher’s annual salary.

In 2004, the Wilson Education Foundation also extended its efforts to purchase and underwrite the Waterberg Hospice House, devoted to the education and care of South African patients living with AIDS. WEF’s donation of $60,000 to the facility also covers the salaries of two nurses and the cost of medication necessary in the prevention of HIV transmission from mother to unborn child.

Furthermore, a grant made by WEF in 2005 in the amount of $38,500 was used to purchase the “People Mover,” a van used for transporting patients to and from Waterberg-area facilities to receive medical attention. Monies raised through WEF not only covered the cost of the van, but also support the salary of the “People Mover” driver. The next goal of WEF in early 2006 is to fund the purchase of an ambulance for the Waterberg Hospice House at a cost of approximately $55,000.

Wilson & Associates also recognized the success of Trisha Wilson’s book, Spectacular Hotels: The Most Remarkable Places on Earth, which was available for purchase at both events. Spectacular Hotels chronicles over thirty of the world’s most extraordinary hotel properties, each hand picked by Trisha Wilson for their distinctive style, character and beauty. Currently available at all major book stores, Spectacular Hotels may also be purchased by visiting www.spgsite.com/hotel or calling 972-661-9884 (ext. 204). Proceeds from the sales of the book will directly benefit the Wilson Education Foundation.

Among the numerous international interior architectural design firms worldwide, Wilson & Associates continues to be ranked one of the top two in the hospitality design industry worldwide. The firm is lauded for its designs for exquisite resorts, casinos, hotels and restaurants that cater to both the luxury and the business traveler.
The Dallas-based international interior architectural design firm created by Trisha Wilson opened its doors in 1978. With a staff of 250 world-renowned architects, designers and support staff worldwide, it is an industry leader through unique projects and diverse designs including The Palace of the Lost City in South Africa; Las Ventanas al Paraiso in Cabo San Lucas; Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch in Colorado; Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong; Atlantis Resort at Paradise Island, Bahamas; AquaKnox and Star Canyon restaurants in Dallas and many renowned properties in Las Vegas such as The Venetian and The Mansions at MGM. To date, the firm has designed and installed more than 1,000,000 guestrooms in hundreds of hotels worldwide.

Their client portfolio is made up of a broad spectrum of international companies, including Kerzner International, Las Vegas Sands Corp., Hyatt International Hotels, Four Seasons Hotels Ltd., Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, St. Regis Hotels, Disney and Rosewood Hotels & Resorts.

With offices in Dallas, New York, Los Angeles, Singapore, Johannesburg, Shanghai and Cochin, Wilson & Associates provides their clientele with innovative interior and architectural designs, from space planning to furniture installation, including custom product design. For more information, visit wilsonassoc.com.