Lone Star College Foundation celebrates 35 years at StarGala

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Lone Star College Foundation celebrated its 35^th anniversary at StarGala, held May 2 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center. The annual event raised $524,564 to help Lone Star College System students achieve their dreams.

“After 35 years, we’re grateful our partners continue to support students through generous donations and volunteerism,” said Nicole Robinson Gauthier, CFRE, LSCS associate vice chancellor, Foundation Advancement. “This year’s gala reflects that generosity, as every dollar raised helps remove barriers and position students for success through scholarships and emergency funding.”

At this year’s StarGala, the Lone Star College System Alumni Association announced its first Alumni Award recipients: Mareeha Jangda and Brett Shryock received the Alumni on the Rise Award, and Meaghanne Ilene Logan Ruiz and John M. Fisher were honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award.

“The Alumni on the Rise and Distinguished Alumni awards recognize those graduates who have earned notable accomplishments that positively impact our communities,” said Carolyn Donovan, LSCS associate vice chancellor, Alumni Relations & Engagement. “The recipients selected embody the spirit of the Lone Star College Alumni Association, which is giving back to the community in meaningful ways.”

Read more about the Alumni Awards and the recipients at LoneStar.edu/News/119151.

At StarGala, nearly 450 guests participated in fundraising activities, including a custom sneaker experience by Houston artist Charles Cannon and the David Yurman Experience, a shopping spree at Market Street in The Woodlands. These activities helped raise $223,900 for endowments, $146,890 for areas of greatest need, and close to $30,000 for emergency support and scholarships.

“After facing uncertainty and setbacks, pursuing higher education at Lone Star College System became a turning point in my life,” said Alma May, LSC Foundation scholarship recipient and LSC-Montgomery graduating student. “Support from the college and foundation is creating a ripple effect far beyond the classroom.”

StarGala, chaired by Dr. Kerrie Guerrero, Dr. Caroline Mascarenhas and Dr. Nicole Twine, vice presidents and chief nursing officers at Houston Methodist The Woodlands, Houston Methodist Cypress and Houston Methodist Willowbrook hospitals, respectively, is one of the LSC Foundation’s signature fundraisers, with proceeds supporting student success initiatives. Additional supporters this year included Chesmar Foundation, Dianne & Seth Sharr, The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel, JLL, Comcast-Xfinity, Entergy Texas Inc., First Community Cares Foundation, John M. Fisher, Nooter/Eriksen and Ogletree Deakins, among many others listed at LoneStar.edu/Gala2026.

“As former Lone Star College System students, we understand that education creates opportunity,” said Guerrero and Twine. “Supporting the foundation means investing in students and the future workforce that will serve our community.”

Other StarGala highlights included:

• LSC-Kingwood Professor Eric Skiles and students Caitalin Campbell and Comfort Azagidi served as emcees.
• Shauna Smith, LSC Foundation scholar and graduating student, received a full transfer scholarship to Sam Houston State University.
• Alma May received a full transfer scholarship to the University of Houston-Downtown. In a surprise announcement, May’s husband, Andrew, a U.S. veteran and LSCS student, also received a full scholarship to complete a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity at LSC-Westway Park Technology Center.
• Azagidi, who plans to attend UHD this fall, received a full transfer scholarship.
• Dinner featured performances from “Anything Goes” by the LSC-Tomball Music Department.

“For many students, the greatest barrier to success is financial, and removing that barrier is at the heart of our work,” said Miranda Hadamik, LSC Foundation board chair and executive vice president, Investment at Caldwell Companies. “Thanks to our donors, Lone Star College Foundation can provide students with the support they need to stay on track and succeed.”

Visit LoneStar.edu/Giving/StarGala2026 to learn more about the impact of StarGala 2026.