On September 18, the Texas Lyceum, a premier nonprofit, nonpartisan, statewide leadership organization, honored “Skipper” Dippel with its 2025 Stewardship of Texas Values Award during a special ceremony at the Omni Dallas Hotel. A founder of the Texas Lyceum and a longtime Texas banker, Dippel was recognized for his unmatched contributions to the state of Texas and his embodiment of values the Lyceum holds dear: integrity, imagination, civility, leadership and a deep love for Texas.
Dippel began his banking career in 1972 as president of what would become Brenham Bancshares and Brenham National Bank, later serving as chairman for decades. His accomplishments include induction into the Texas Bankers Hall of Fame in 2014 and leadership roles, such as director of the Dallas branch of the Federal Reserve Bank. Dippel co-founded the Texas Lyceum in 1980 alongside Scott Bennett to create a nonpartisan forum for emerging leaders to engage in thoughtful dialogue on issues shaping Texas’s future. That vision has endured for 45 years, cultivating leaders across business, government and the nonprofit sector.
The Stewardship of Texas Values Award is one of the Lyceum’s highest honors, reserved for individuals who exemplify the organization’s core values and demonstrate a lifelong commitment to the betterment of Texas and its people. Candidate nominations can be submitted by Lyceum directors in at least their second year and alumni. The recipient is chosen by the majority vote of past chairs.
“As one of our founding visionaries, Skipper’s legacy has inspired generations of Texas leaders,” says Crayton Webb, Texas Lyceum president. “His tireless work to bring people together in the spirit of service, ideas and leadership truly defines what this award is all about. It is especially meaningful to celebrate Skipper’s example as we continue our Campaign for Civility, a call for elected officials and everyday Texans to engage in civil discourse and respectful dialogue on important issues affecting the state and the nation.”
In addition to his foundational role in the Lyceum, Dippel’s impact spans multiple institutions he either founded or helped establish, including the Texas Business Hall of Fame, Texas Public Policy Foundation, Texas Cultural Trust, Texas Leadership Institute and Texas Caring for Children Foundation. He is also the author of six books and has received numerous accolades, including recognition by the Texas Legislature as the “Texas Prophet of Conscience” in 2003.
“I’m deeply humbled to receive this recognition from an organization I love and helped to build,” Dippel says. “The Lyceum has always been about ideas, service and investing in Texas’ future.”
“Recognizing Skipper Dippel with the Stewardship of Texas Values Award in the same year we celebrate our 45th anniversary feels especially fitting,” says Jordan Cowman, 2025 Stewardship of Texas Values Award chairman. “This award has been reserved for some of the most respected stewards of Texas’ future: presidents, governors, business icons and civic giants. Skipper now rightfully joins their ranks. Through his writings and his work, he reminds us that progress comes not from extremes, but from thinking with conscience over convenience, applying the Golden Rule to questions of fairness and practicing the humility that allows others to be heard and treated with dignity.”
