Party watch
A Houston college celebrates a milestone anniversary: The university where hard-fought dreams come true?
- Mayor Annise Parker, from left, Bill Flores and Renu Khator.Photo by © Kim Coffman
- Deanna and Gilbert Garcia.Photo by Kim Coffman
- Bill Flores, left, with Clarease and Cary Yates.Photo by © Kim Coffman
- Leigh Van Horn, from left, Maria Chavez-Berry and Dawn McCarty.Photo by © Kim Coffman
- Emcee Khambrell Marshall.Photo by © Kim Coffman
- Ed and Donna Hugetz, from left, and Kathryn and Jim Ketelsen.Photo by © Kim Coffman
- Adrian and Monica Garcia.Photo by © Kim Coffman
- Bill Flores and Noel Bezette-Flores, from left, Kathy Hubbard and Mayor Annise Parker.Photo by © Kim Coffman
- Miya Shay and Gene Wu.Photo by © Kim Coffman
- Laquitta and Ken DeMerchant.Photo by © Kim Coffman
- Sylvia and Gordon Quan.Photo by © Kim Coffman
- Welcome Wilson Jr., left, and Welcome Wilson Sr.Photo by © Kim Coffman
- Tricia Harris, from left, with Max and Rosario Castillo.Photo by © Kim Coffman
- Maria and Ciro Porras.Photo by © Kim Coffman
- Bob Eury, left, and Sylvester Turner.Photo by © Kim Coffman
- Mary Benton.Photo by © Kim Coffman
What: The University of Houston Downtown 40th anniversary gala.
Where: The Picasso Room at the J W Marriott Houston Downtown.
The 411: UHD graduates Maria Chavez-Berry and Carlon Johnson, both the first in their families to graduate from college, held the audience of 420 entranced with their stories of success in college despite challenging circumstances. Chavez-Berry was a mother of four and wife during her studies while Johnson, one of three children raised by a single mother, worked full time while earning his degree.
Adding to their voices in support of UHD were Mayor Annise Parker and UH System chancellor Renu Khator. The evening raised more than $420,000 for the university.
Taking key roles in the black-tie gala were chairs Clarease and Cary Yates and Deanna Pena Garcia and Gilbert Garcia along with emcees Khambrel Marshall of KPRC Channel 2 and Bill Flores, UHD president.
Who: UHD president emeriti Max Castillo and Rosario Castillo, Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia and wife Monica, Sylvester Turner, Mary Benton, Laquitta and Ken DeMerchant, Miya Shay and State Rep. Gene Wu, Welcome Wilson Jr. and Welcome Wilson Sr.