Renu Khator

University of Houston's rock star president reveals all: Top challenge, favorite restaurant and a closet secret

Since arriving at the helm of the University of Houston System as chancellor and as UH president in 2008, Renu Khator has been steadily transforming the university and enhancing the school's national image. In only four years, she has taken Houston (as she prefers to call it) from somewhat educational obscurity to national recognition including a Carnegie Tier One ranking.

Khator demurs that it has not been her single-handed effort but rather a team that has advanced the university, including achieving that Tier One status in only three years, two years less than what she promised the board of regents at her hiring. Nevertheless, board of regents chair Nelda Blair declared Khator a "rock star" when explaining the 40 percent raise and $150,000 contract renewal bonus that Khator received at the end of last year.

A native of India, Khator arrived in the United States in the mid-70s, following an arranged marriage to Suresh Khator, now a professor of engineering at UH. She earned a master's degree and her Ph.D. in political science from Purdue University and then moved on to the University of South Florida where she served for 22 years as provost and senior vice president.

Khator is noted for her fierce loyalty to UH, which extends beyond the political battlefields of Austin and the boardrooms of Houston all the way to her closet where the majority of her wardrobe is UH Cougar red. She launched "red Friday" at the university to engender school spirit. And she is seldom, if ever, without some form of wardrobe red.

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Two-Stepping Bash

Country tunes and Houston's charitable hearts rock for Dec my Room

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Jacob Mansfield, Grace Ward, and Kendyl Mansfield.

A bustling crowd kicked open the doors of the House of Blues for the Eighth Annual "Kick Up Your Boots for Kids" bash, all in support of Dec My Room. The night was set ablaze by the toe-tapping tunes of country stars Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen, transforming the venue on October 24 into a jitterbug jamboree and creating an atmosphere brimming with joy.

Event chairs Laurel Bashaw and Dodi Willingham and founders Kendall Plank and Susan Plank were thrilled about how the extra funds will turbocharge their mission. Since 2007, Dec My Room has adorned nearly 18,000 hospital rooms across 178 institutions, delivering personalized coziness like a warm blanket to pediatric and young adult patients.

Emcee and auctioneer David Ackel kept the energy high as generous Houstonians vied for coveted treasures. Standouts included rare Pappy Van Winkle bourbon bottles and a glimmering necklace from Lugano. A wine and whiskey dinner hosted by Federal Grill’s Matt Brice saw bids skyrocket, leaving winners over the moon. The grand finale was a private management hunt at Sycamore Springs Ranch in Kerrville, Texas.

With over 250 attendees two-stepping and $350,000 raised, the event proved to be a night where generosity danced hand in hand with a rockin’ good time. In the crowd were Laurie and Tracy Krohn, Stacey and Al Lindseth, Mike Plank, Rachel and Tom Regan, Ericka Bagwell, Aimee and Wynne Snoots, Carley and Mike Stasney, Grace and Steven Ward, Monica and Jed Skeet, Marie and Joseph Flanigan, Jessica and Ryan Getz, Denise and Brett Mears, Kiki Wilson, Peggie and Kyle Pentecost.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Jacob Mansfield, Grace Ward, and Kendyl Mansfield.

dec my room fundraisers