From left, Dean Leonard Baynes joins the Law Gala co-chairs Michelle Gray ‘11 and Buddy Gray at the Post Oak Hotel in Uptown Houston for 2023 celebration.
May 19, 2023— The University of Houston Law Center and the University of Houston Law Center Alumni Association presented the 46th Annual Law Gala & Auction with the theme “Bold & Bright.” Nearly 400 UH Law Center alumni, faculty, and friends attended, adorned in vibrant colors from Cougar red, canary yellow, fierce fuchsia and lively lime.
Award recipients are, from front left, Jessica Roberts, Melody Wang '12, Jennifer Hasley '95, Kim Mai '12, Christin Chandler, Reginald McKamie '86, Edwin Sullivan '97, Judge Andrew Edison, Shannon Quadros '10, Danny Sheena '95, Laura Gibson '84, Drew Willey '15, Troy Chandler ’98, Ward Goolsby '14 and Dean Leonard Baynes.
The gala, held at the Post Oak Hotel in Uptown Houston in May, celebrated the achievements of the 2023 UH Law Alumni Association Award recipients and raised $445,000 for scholarships and UH Law Center initiatives.
The 2023 Law Gala co-chairs Michelle E. Gray ’11 and Buddy Gray along with UH Law Center Dean Leonard M. Baynes served as hosts for the festivities.
“This year’s Gala was a success, thanks in large part to the many firms and individuals who sponsored and contributed. A special thanks to those individuals on the Host Committee, everyone who donated, and the two ladies behind the scenes, Ann Dick and Dean Sondra Tennessee. It was an honor to Chair the event and to support the bold and bright future of the University of Houston Law Center,” said Michelle Gray.
The night began with an electrifying display as LED Angel Dancers gracefully illuminated the stage and reached new heights with LED stilt walkers who ushered guests at the end of the evening.
Celebrants had the opportunity to bid on two Shasta-themed paintings by University of Houston President Renu Khator. Other popular auction items included a bourbon tasting dinner with Hon. Ravi K. Sandill ’01 and James Beard Award Winning Chef Justin Yu and vacation getaways to Cabo San Lucas and Saint-Martin.
The gala and auction proceeds will fund scholarships, advocacy programs, faculty research, student organizations, library acquisitions, technology advances, student recruitment, and student activities at the UH Law Center.
“We have much to celebrate,” said UH Law Center Dean Leonard M. Baynes. “The Law Center has moved into our fourth home – the ultramodern John M. O’Quinn Law Building. Our Law Center is a world-class law school in a world-class city, and we now have a world-class building. My thanks again to all the alumni and donors who contributed to our new state-of-the-art facility and who have named rooms, classrooms, and other spaces. Your philanthropy and generosity have helped our Law Center to shine even bolder and brighter.”
The law building, which opened in fall 2022, is the newest law school building in Texas and one of the newest in the country.
The 2023 UH Law Alumni Association Award winners were:
