Baby, it was cold outside Friday night, but that didn't dissuade 600 dedicated black-tie partygoers from piling into the ballroom of the InterContinental Houston Near the Galleria (new name, remember) on behalf of Houston Community College.

Texas Children's Hospital CEO Mark Wallace and Precision Task Group CEO Massey Villarreal, an HCC Foundation board member, chaired the gala that drew more than 600 guests and raised more than $520,000 for HCC scholarships. Its' an important figure considering that HCC provides an affordable education to more than 65,000 individuals each semester, a point that was not lost on honoree Mayor Bill White. He received the Crystal Eagle Award along with his co-honoree and wife Andrea White.

In remarks, Bill White spoke of his passion for the work of community colleges and the role they play in improving local students' career potential and therefore the lives of their families. Former honoree Houston Chronicle publisher Jack Sweeney presented the award to the Whites.

The hearty partygoers included HCC chancellor Mary Spangler, trustees Eva Loredo, Sandra Meyers and Mary Ann Perez plus HCC Foundation president Ginger Blanton and husband Jack Blanton, HCC Foundation vice president Penny Butler and husband John Butler, Karen and Scott Rozzell, Kelli and Eddy Blanton, Laura and Rick Jaramillo and Cathy and Dr. Gary Brock.