Mardi Gras in May?! Why Not — University Gala Goes All Out, Raises $1.65 Mil

Giselle Dodge and Gwen Juarez
Mardi Gras in May?! Why Not — University Gala Goes All Out, Raises $1.65 Mil

The Bunk Johnson Brazz Band

THE PACE OF vaccinations in February couldn't quite make Mardi Gras feel "normal" this year, but that didn't stop the University of St. Thomas from throwing its popular annual bash — in May!


UST's 71st Mardi Gras Gala took place at the Hilton Americas ballroom, where more than 600 guests — decked out in beads, boas and jewel tones galore — gathered, ready for in-person mixing and mingling! The evening not only honored UST life director David E. Harvey, Jr. for his commitment to the school and its students, it also crowned two students as the Mardi Gras king and queen, Youssef Ahmed and Margaret Gaston, who live out the university's values of goodness, discipline and knowledge.

Dinner was, naturally, creative Cajun fare a la crawfish bisque en croute, blackened free-range chicken with black-truffle bordelaise, remoulade-topped crab beignets, and garlic-roasted Gulf prawns with thyme beurre-blanc.

The night featured live music from the Bunk Johnson Brazz Band, who led party-goers in a second-line-style celebration following dinner — with a tux-clad UST mascot Lenny the Lion bringing up the rear. And Motown-style vocal quartet The Four Tops kept everyone on their feet, inspiring guests with their synchronized dances and big-band sound.

Thanks in part to an exciting live auction — featuring items like a private quail hunt on the Cullen ranch and a poker night at the Basilian Father's residence — the gala raised a whopping $1.65 million. The proceeds will benefit UST's scholarship fund, per usual, and this year will also go to CeltCare, an emergency fund newly put in place to assist those experiencing pandemic-related hardships.

Danny McCormack, Jessy Deardurff, Kaitlyn Scheurich Karen Wilkinson

Richard & Melynda Ludwick

Natasha Nguyenphat

Bob & Gayle Longmire

Jerry & Janice Swonke, Judith Raines, Dave Kem

Juan Bravo

Joe & Kriste Aulbert

Mikki Hebl,David Harvey,Dr. Richard Ludwick, Melynda Ludwick

Rey and Montrice Wilson

Parties
Fall Philanthropy Report: Easter Seals of Greater Houston ‘Impacts Where People Need Us the Most’

What year was your organization launched? Founded in Houston in 1947, as the Cerebral Palsy Treatment Center, the organization provided services to individuals with disabilities living in Houston and Harris County. In 1989, the organization changed its name and greatly expanded its services to meet the needs of its clientele. Today as Easter Seals Greater Houston, the organization provides multiple outstanding service programs to children, adults, veterans, and service members with all types of disabilities and their families in Harris and sixteen surrounding counties.

Keep Reading Show less

Lisa Rich, Jessica Givens, Coco Lu

BETWEEN AN EXCITING raffle and runway show, Homemade Hope's fash bash at Tootsies was a truly tasteful success! More than 160 well heeled attendees also enjoyed browsing the season's most stylish offerings and chatting with Homemade Hope's executive director, Blair Bentley Ozenbaugh, about its mission to support at-risk children via mentoring and culinary lessons.

Keep Reading Show less
Style

Symphony Springs to Life with Floral-Fabulous Fete

Jacob Power and Priscilla Dickson

Chairs Brady and Zane Carruth, Brittany and Adam Clark

IT ALREADY FEELS like spring in Houston and the spring social season is here with it! 375 guests donned in white-tie flocked to The Post Oak Hotel for the annual Houston Symphony Ball, one of the city’s most anticipated and A-list galas.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties