Virginia Hilton Hallock

1963 - 2025

Virginia Hilton Hallock

July 26, 1963 - May 6, 2025

Dr. Hilton Hallock died in Anchorage, Alaska on May 6, 2025. Hilton was the fourth in a line of women named "Virginia Hilton," none of whom cared to be told what to do. For Hilton, it's not that she knew better. It's that she knew bigger.

When all of her friends enrolled in private schools in 1973, Hilton embraced being bussed across the city of Nashville. The city's challenge to reduce segregation and isolation became the direction of Hilton's life's calling. At ten years old, she knew bigger.

Elected president of the high school honor council, her vision was broader than the edict to not lie, cheat, or steal. Her mission, rooted in honor, was to build a community based on trust and respect. A community of support rather than punishment. By the end of high school, Hilton thought bigger.

As a leader in the residence life program at the University of Virginia, Hilton looked beyond the administrative duties and worked to create an inclusive community for both students and staff. Academics came easy (except Calculus), allowing Hilton to dedicate her time to the mission of Madison House, a student volunteer organization with the message "Connect.Learn.Serve." Hilton challenged herself and those around her to act bigger on behalf of others.

Hilton did not suffer fools lightly. And she encountered a few along the way. She had the ability to bring a room of people with differing opinions together to find a "both/and" solution - a solution for everyone involved. She saw the big picture. Instead of dictating what she had figured out ten steps before everyone else, she lit the path, helped them find that path, and guided people down it. Because that is what unselfish leaders, those not driven by ego or titles, do. She would listen, first, then challenge you to be bigger for the community you served.

As for titles and awards, she had many. And they were big. But she did not lead with them, and neither will we. Her life was bigger than that list. A simple search of her name will outline her vast academic and professional accomplishments. She would rather you remember and embrace the communities she changed for the better, the people she mentored and counseled who are feeling an enormous loss, and her challenge to you to think and act bigger to find a solution for everyone in the room.

Hilton could tell, usually at the expense of her little sister, a good story laced with wit and sarcasm. She got the gift of "mythic heightening" story-telling from her mother, the late Virginia Hilton Somerville Hallock. Hilton is survived by her father, The Rev. Harold H. Hallock, with whom she shared a love for Inspector Gamache and the uncanny ability to procrastinate while still getting everything done with grace; her sister Elizabeth Hallock Andrews and brother-in-law Malcolm Cannell Andrews, who through their children, Connor Bailey Andrews, Patrick Halsey Andrews (Rachel), and Madeleine Hilton Andrews, gave her hope for the world she envisioned.

Her story ended but also continues at Alaska Pacific University, where she served as both Interim President and Provost. Here was the culmination of her student-focused approach to inclusivity and to the power of education to effect positive and collective change. Under her leadership, APU transitioned to an Alaska-Native serving university. Hilton developed and expanded academic programs to meet the needs of all Alaskans, including a nursing program with statewide outreach and an Environmental and Public Health program that meets community health needs.

In lieu of flowers, we invite you to make contributions to Alaska Pacific University in Hilton's memory so that they may continue expanding the reach and impact of Hilton's legacy to think and do bigger in service to those who come after her. Donations may be made online at www.alaskapacific.edu/give/ or sent to Alaska Pacific University, 4101 University Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508.

A service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on June 16th at St. Paul's Memorial Church in Charlottesville, Virginia, with a reception to immediately follow. We look forward to celebrating Hilton's life with you.