Shelby's Social Diary

Houston Baptist University brings in $1.4 million at Spirit of Excellence gala

Photo by Monica Kressman
Photo by Monica Kressman
Photo by Monica Kressman
Photo by Monica Kressman
Photo by Monica Kressman
Photo by Monica Kressman
Photo by Monica Kressman
Photo by Monica Kressman
Photo by Monica Kressman

Even before his remarks to the Houston Baptist University Spirit of Excellence Award dinner crowd, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and political commentator Charles Krauthammer received a standing ovation from the more than 600 supporters who filled the ballroom of the Hilton Americas-Houston.

With the presidential election only days away, Krauthammer spoke on the Essence of the American Experiment. The syndicated columnist was only part of the program that included remarks from Memorial Hermann Healthcare System CEO Dan Wolterman, who spoke on the importance of nursing education and the shortage of nurses in this country. The dinner raised $1.4 million for HBU's School of Nursing and Allied Health.

Dinner chairs Sherry and Jim Smith announced the astounding proceeds.

Taking bows as Spirit of Excellence Award honorees were Dr. Diane Williams and Stanley Williams and AT&T, represented by senior vice president of external affairs Leslie Ward. Allene Lucas received the President's Lifetime Volunteer Award.

Applauding the honors were guests including HBU president Robert B. Sloan Jr. and Sue Sloan, Lori Wolterman, Joella and Stewart Morris, Lisa and Jerry Simon, Elaine and Marvy Finger, Nanette and Jerry Finger, Elizabeth and Peter Wareing , Sue and Lester Smith, Tricia and Lt. Governor David Dewhurst, Heidi and Ted Cruz, Nina and Edd Hendee and Martha Turner and Glenn Bauguss.

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legacy and lyrics

High notes and higher hopes put Houston's Omega House in the spotlight

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Deborah Duncan, Brigitte Kalai, Dr. Charlene Flash, and Alicia Smith.

For Avenue 360, it was time to get back in the gala game with Voices for Hope — its first big fundraising celebration since the pandemic. This year’s event marked a lively return to in-person gatherings, joining the ranks of busy, bustling parties that have defined 2024.

The evening celebrated the legacy of Omega House, Texas’s residential hospice for AIDS patients.

Co-chaired by Alicia Smith and Brigitte Kalai, Voices for Hope revived an important tradition of honoring Omega House’s legacy of compassionate end-of-life care. The night opened with a cocktail reception emceed by Great Day Houston host Deborah Duncan, during which guests entered raffles for luxurious prizes, including jewelry from Nini Jewels and Wayne Smith Jewels, a shopping spree at Tootsie’s, and a staycation at The Post Oak Hotel with a Porsche weekend rental.

About those voices: the Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts choir’s charming performance of “Seasons of Love” set the evening’s emotional tone. Blues artist Luke Whitney continued with soulful melodies before America’s Got Talent semi-finalist Christina Wells brought down the house with dynamic interpretations of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “We Are Family.”

Houston’s social scribe Shelby Hodge gifted Wells her raffle prize, honoring the performer for her roles as a singer, nurse, and mother. The gala also celebrated the 25th anniversary of Bering Omega Community Services, with board member Ken Bohan receiving the Harmony of the Heart Award. Omega House medical director Dr. Gus Krucke, director of dental services Dr. Mark Nichols, and director Sandy Stacy were honored with the Symphony of Service Award, with Stacy’s 30 years of service encouraging standing applause.

Spotted were Lance Smith, Bashar Kalai, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees, Leisa Holland Nelson, Farida Abjani, Shafik Rifaat, Maria and Omar Moncada Alaoui, Jody Merritt, Christine Johnson, Michele Till, Anna Reger, Mandy Kao, Mark Folkes and Christopher Johnston, Brandon Weinbrenner and Mitchell Greco, Fady Armanious, and Tony Bradfield.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Deborah Duncan, Brigitte Kalai, Dr. Charlene Flash, and Alicia Smith.