Fixer Upper Star Chip Gaines Hits Houston, Shares Family Secrets

$658,434 Night at The Post Oak Funds Scholarships

By Oyinda Odewale // Dec 12, 2018

Photography Michael Tims,

1/0

Dr. Robert Sloan presents Chip Gaines with a page from an old Bible at the HBU Spirit of Excellence Gala at The Post Oak Hotel Thursday Nov. 1,2018. (Dave Rossman photo)

The 'Fixer Upper' Chip Gaines with Houston Baptist University president Robert Sloan

From left: Dr. Stewart Morris Sr. with Jerry and Lisa Simon at the HBU Spirit of Excellence Gala at The Post Oak Hotel Thursday Nov. 1,2018. (Dave Rossman photo)

Stewart Morris, Jerry & Lisa Simon

Dr. Robert Sloan presents the President's Award to Sherry and Jim Smith at the HBU Spirit of Excellence Gala at The Post Oak Hotel Thursday Nov. 1,2018. (Dave Rossman photo)

Jim & Sherry Smith, Robert Sloan

Craig Janies and Anne Neeson at the HBU Spirit of Excellence Gala at The Post Oak Hotel Thursday Nov. 1,2018. (Dave Rossman photo)

Anne Neeson, Craig Janies

Donna and Tony Vallone at the HBU Spirit of Excellence Gala at The Post Oak Hotel Thursday Nov. 1,2018. (Dave Rossman photo)

Donna & Tony Vallone

Khambrel Marshall

Chip Gaines with Kiza III At the HBU Spirit of Excellence Gala at The Post Oak Hotel Thursday Nov. 1,2018. (Dave Rossman photo)

Chip Ganes with husky 'Kiza'

Linda Davis and Bruce Williams at the HBU Spirit of Excellence Gala at The Post Oak Hotel Thursday Nov. 1,2018. (Dave Rossman photo)

Linda Davis, Bruce Williams

Linda and Archie Dunham at the HBU Spirit of Excellence Gala at The Post Oak Hotel Thursday Nov. 1,2018. (Dave Rossman photo)

Linda & Archie Dunham

Mary Kate and Ben Carl at the HBU Spirit of Excellence Gala at The Post Oak Hotel Thursday Nov. 1,2018. (Dave Rossman photo)

Mary Kate Carl, Ben Carl

Mon'Sher Spencer

Savannah Smith, Jim Smith Jr., Jaci Smith, Jimmy Smith

Becky and Steve Kerns at the HBU Spirit of Excellence Gala at The Post Oak Hotel Thursday Nov. 1,2018. (Dave Rossman photo)

Steve & Becky Kerns

Katie and Steven Alaniz at the HBU Spirit of Excellence Gala at The Post Oak Hotel Thursday Nov. 1,2018. (Dave Rossman photo)

Steven & Katie Alaniz

Tadd Tellepsen, Chip Gaines, Jennifer Tellepsen

Dr. Robert Sloan presents the Spirit of Excellence Award to Pinky Pampell at the HBU Spirit of Excellence Gala at The Post Oak Hotel Thursday Nov. 1,2018. (Dave Rossman photo)

Pinky Pampell, Robert Sloan

From left: Randy and Alex Sorrels with Bert Lohse at the HBU Spirit of Excellence Gala at The Post Oak Hotel Thursday Nov. 1,2018. (Dave Rossman photo)

Randy & Alex Sorrels, Bert Lohse

Roseann Rogers and Nikhil Shah at the HBU Spirit of Excellence Gala at The Post Oak Hotel Thursday Nov. 1,2018. (Dave Rossman photo)

Roseann Rogers, Nikhil Shah

Guests view the auction items at the HBU Spirit of Excellence Gala at The Post Oak Hotel Thursday Nov. 1,2018. (Dave Rossman photo)

Guests peruse the silent auction.

Auction items

What: Houston Baptist University annual Spirit of Excellence Gala.

Where: The Post Oak Hotel

PC Moment: Chip Gaines, former HGTV star of Fixer Upper and New York Times bestseller of the Magnolia Story, was the keynote speaker at Houston Baptist University’s annual Spirit of Excellence Gala where he discussed his career, family life, and his faith. The event raised $658,434 for university scholarships with 94 percent of students attending HBU receiving financial aid.

The night showcased the best of HBU and honored the pillars of the Houston community with including Janice and Bob McNair, Archie and Linda Dunham, Sherry and Jim Smith, Pinky Pampell and Colin Montgomerie.

Entertainment was provided by songbird Mon’Sher Spencer, an HBU graduate of 2008.

PC Seen: HBU president Robert Sloane, emcee Khambrel, Marshall, Randall Sorrels, Linda and Earle Higginbotham, Becky and Steve Kerns, Stewart Morris, Lisa and Jerry Simon, Sue and Robert Sloan, Mary and Vince Kickerillo, Kelli Kickerillo, Donna and Tony Vallone, Roseanne Rogers, Anne Neeson, Craig Janies and Katie and Steven Alaniz.