Spirit of Excellence Gala

Gala Schedule

6:30 PM | Registration
7:00 PM | Awards, Dinner & Keynote Address

Attire: Business Attire

Honoring

Janice McNair | Legacy of Excellence Award
Sherry & Jim Smith | Founders Medal
John S. Dunn Foundation | President’s Award
John M. O’Quinn Foundation | Spirit of Excellence Award

The Guild of Houston Christian University | Spirit of Excellence Award

All funds raised benefit student scholarships.

HCU Campus
7502 Fondren Rd
Houston, TX 77074
HCU map

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Tickets now on Sale!

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Bob Goff will be our Keynote Speaker!

Bob Goff is the author of the New York Times bestselling books Love Does, Everybody Always, Dream Big, and Undistracted. He is the Honorary Consul to the Republic of Uganda, an attorney, and the founder of Love Does—a nonprofit human rights organization operating in 14 countries. He’s a lover of balloons, cake pops, and helping people pursue their big dreams. Bob continues to be inspired by friendships he’s developed with others around the world who live their lives pursuing strategic ways to help others. You can typically find Bob writing and taking calls from his boat, welcoming people to The Oaks—his Southern California retreat center, or at an event speaking. Bob’s greatest ambitions in life are to love others, do stuff, and, most importantly, to hold hands with his wife, Sweet Maria Goff, and spend time with their amazing kids and grandkids.

Bob Goff

Gala Chairs

Jess Rogers Dunham ’00, MEd ’02 & Cary Dunham ’93Jess Rogers Dunham '00, MEd '02 & Cary Dunham '93

It is with great excitement that we are serving as Gala Chairs for the Houston Christian University’s biennial Spirit of Excellence Gala. As alumni of the University, we are very aware of the blessings we enjoyed as students and were beneficiaries of the faithful contributions of so many over the years. Because all funds raised are dedicated to scholarships, we have themed this event, “Dream Big … Change Lives!” This title comes from the book, Dream Big, written by the 2025 Gala keynote speaker, Bob Goff.  We hope you will join us on campus on Thursday, November 6, 2025 for the Spirit of Excellence Gala.