Here is a summary from CWU of dad's inspiring successes:

JAMES HAWKINS (Emeritus) retired from CWU in 2001 after 31 years of distinguished service to the Theatre Arts Department, where he founded the Children's Theatre Touring program and Youth Drama Major. An accomplished theatrical designer and puppeteer, Hawkins has been a guest artist at academic and professional theatres here and abroad including the California Theatre Center, the Tennessee Arts Academy, the Alaskan Theatre for Youth, the Birmingham Arts Center, and the Puppet Center in London. He has won three meritorious awards from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, and, in 1996, was awarded the Distinguished Professor Award in Public Service from CWU. He has been a member of the performing company of Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center-National Puppetry Conference, and  a member of the Board of Directors of UNIMA-USA the International Puppetry Association. Puppets from his private collection have been added to permanent displays at the Atlanta Puppet Center, the Seattle Puppet Center and the Valentinetti Puppet Museum in Bremerton. In 2005 he established the A. James Hawkins Children's Theatre Endowment with the announcement of generous financial contribution.