Texas Children's Cancer Center scored a windfall with its annual dinner, this year featuring University of Texas chancellor Bill McRaven as keynote speaker.
Not only was McRaven's discussion in the Westin Galleria Hotel ballroom with UT Athletic Director Mike Perrin riveting, but his Osama bin Laden "wanted" poster, signed by the famous Navy SEAL Team 6, fetched $100,000 in an unprecedented live auction action bid.
McRaven, former head of the U.S. Special Operations Command, said that as coveted as the poster was to him, the cause of pediatric cancer research moved him to make the donation.
As much as the children's cancer center was focus of the evening, the UT spirit prevailed with plenty of "hook 'em horns" salutes, a profusion of UT orange roses and centerpieces of the UT Tower emblazoned with LED lighting. And, yes, there was hearty singing of "The Eyes of Texas" and "Texas Fight."
And the UT Alumni Marching Band in full uniform performed the National Anthem.
Chairing "An Evening with Chancellor William H. McRaven "fundraiser were Lynn Baird, Flo Crady, Emily Crosswell, and Ned Torian, who could not have been happier with proceeds of more than $840,000.
Cynthia and John Adkins, Nancy and Jim Gordon, and Sonny and Jodie Jiles served as honorary chairs.
Texas Children's president and CEO Mark A. Wallace welcomed a coterie of special guests including June and Dr. David Poplack, Dorothy and Mickey Ables, Sibyl Roos, Shelley and John Barineau, Dr. Mark Kline, Trish and Rock Morille, Laurie and Milton Boniuk, and Debbie and Kent Chenevert.
University of Texas Alumni Marching Band.
