The Lone Star College Foundation raised more than $490,000 during StarGala 2018, its annual signature event.

“StarGala is a wonderful opportunity for supporters of the Lone Star College Foundation to see firsthand the powerful impact they have on student success,” said Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., LSC chancellor. “I was especially moved in hearing the story of our featured scholarship recipient Rachel Perez.”

“My biggest dream is to help those that face horrible diseases,” said Perez, LSC-CyFair student and LSC Promise Scholarship recipient who will graduate this May. “Thank you for taking the time to help me reach my goals and for being a piece of my puzzle.”

Perez, who is majoring in biology with the goal of becoming a pediatrician or an emergency room physician, was presented a scholarship certificate to attend the University of Houston-Downtown (UH-D) during the event by Faiza Khoja, Ph.D., UH-D associate vice president of Academic Affairs.

This year’s event, held at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center, included more than 600 guests in attendance who were treated to dinner, a live and silent auction and dancing.

“The Lone Star College Foundation’s impact of supporting student success is so incredibly important for our community,” said Saul Valentin, LSC Foundation board chair. “Congratulations to everyone who helped make StarGala 2018 an investment in our future.”

“These funds will go a long way in helping to make a college education possible for many hard-working and deserving students,” said Head. “In many cases 20 or more students will apply for just one scholarship so every dollar raised is important.”

A traditional live auction item, “Golf with the Chancellor,” consisting of a day of golf for two foursomes, followed by a dinner that will include guests with Dr. Head, was the highest-earning auction item selling for $27,500.

“I started my career in higher education as a director of Financial Aid and personally saw the need to make as many scholarships available as possible,” said Head.

Other sought after auction items included throwing out the first pitch before the Houston Astros game on LSC night, Aug. 14; two first-class United Airlines tickets; a fabulous outdoors mountain getaway. An Astros suite for a party of 20 was also up for bid.

Sponsors included: Visionary sponsor – Follett, Champions sponsor – Caldwell Companies, Dream Maker sponsors – Netsync Network Solutions, CBRE | HEERY, G2X Energy Inc./Diane and Danny Wilson; PBK Architects and friends of AEF/ASF.

“Many lives are changed for the better thanks to the support of all the generous donors and sponsors,” said Nicole Robinson Gauthier, LSC Foundation executive director. “I would also like to acknowledge the dedicated staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly to make StarGala 2018 the success it was.”

Lone Star College student Rachel Perez was presented with a scholarship certificate to attend the University of Houston-Downtown during StarGala 2018. Pictured (left to right): Faiza Khoja, Ph.D., UH-D associate vice president of Academic Affairs; Rachel Perez; and Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., LSC chancellor.

Founded in 1991, the Lone Star College Foundation has expanded its initial investment of $20,000 into an extensive portfolio of over $27 million. Since its inception, the Foundation has provided over $13 million in scholarships to nearly 13,000 students, as well as more than $4 million in program support. The mission of the LSC Foundation is to change lives through student scholarships and quality educational programs achieved by excellence in relationship building, fundraising and investment management. Visit LoneStar.edu/Giving for more information.

Lone Star College offers high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education to 99,000 students each semester. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., serves as chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area with an annual economic impact nearly $3 billion. LSC consists of six colleges, eight centers, two university centers, Lone Star Corporate College and LSC-Online. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.

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