News
Hill College To Honor McGregor, Walls, & Powell at Ninth Annual Boots and Suits Ball
03.21.14
Guests Invited to Invest Into Future Hill College Students and Programs
HILLSBORO, Texas. (March 18, 2014) –Hill College is hosting its ninth annual Boots and Suits Ball, 6 p.m., Saturday, May 3, at the Cleburne Conference Center in Cleburne, Texas. The evening will feature a live and silent auction, dinner, dancing and entertainment provided by the K2K Band from Arlington, Texas. This night of celebrating higher education and philanthropy will benefit the Hill College Athletic Training Program and scholarships for Hill College students in Hillsboro, Cleburne and Burleson for the coming academic year.
In addition, Hill College will honor individuals from Hillsboro, Cleburne and Burleson with the inaugural Pillar of the Community Award. The awards recognize those who have helped build and sustain Hill and Johnson counties, and supported the growth of Hill College throughout Hillsboro, Cleburne and Burleson. With a number of worthy individuals to recognize for years to come, the 2014 Boots and Suits Ball committee members are honoring Judge Bob McGregor (Hillsboro), The Walls Family (Cleburne) and Beverly Powell (Burleson) for their vision and leadership in our communities.
Judge Bob McGregor is being honored with a Pillar of the Community Award for his commitment of excellence toward Hill College and Hill County for over 20 years. A true servant leader, the Honorable Judge McGregor has served as the judge of the 66th court of appeals since 1993. During his twenty year tenure on the bench, Judge McGregor worked diligently to eliminate the gang presence in Hillsboro, while advocating for improved practices for children and teens throughout the judicial process.
For his work, he was honored as the 2013 Texas Judge of the Year by CASA of Texas (Court Appointed Special Advocates). Additionally, Judge McGregor served as a faculty member at Hill College in 1997. A graduate of Baylor University and South Texas College of Law, McGregor is a member of Lions Club, First Baptist Church and Hillsboro Lodge #196, AF & AM. He is a past recipient of the Hillsboro Citizen of the Year and Who’s Who in American Law awards. Judge McGregor is a 30-year member of the Hill College Century Club, and a past member of the Hill College Foundation Board. He is married to Brenda McGregor and they have two children and five grandchildren.
The Walls Family is being honored with a Pillar of the Community Award for their dedication and financial contributions toward the Cleburne community. The late George Samuel Walls, Sr. gave the funds to the city of Cleburne to purchase the land for the Harris Methodist Walls Regional Hospital, now known as Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital – Cleburne. His son and daughter-in-law, Sam and Kay Walls, continued his legacy of service and philanthropy by serving in various volunteer roles at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital – Cleburne. A veteran of the United States Air Force and graduate of Southern Methodist University, Sam is a current trustee and past chairman of the board, while Kay has been involved with the hospital’s fundraising gala since the early 1990s. Over his 40 plus year career in manufacturing, investments and banking, Sam has served as president or director of Walls Industries, the Samarnan Investment Corporation and Brazos Bankshares, Inc. He has chaired and/or been a committee member with the Johnson County Republican Party, Boy Scouts of America, Cleburne Chamber of Commerce and the Cleburne Economic Development Foundation.
A graduate of Texas Christian University, Kay is a retired school teacher who is heavily involved with local and state civic organizations, such as her previous service on the Cleburne School Board, Texas Association of School Boards and Texas County Education District #21 Board. She is the founding member for CASA of Johnson County and currently serves on the board of directors. Kay was also appointed to the Texas Optometry Board by Governor Bill Clements and the North Texas Tollway Authority Board by Governor’s George Bush and Rick Perry. She has served on numerous committees and campaign teams for the local and state divisions of the Republican Party. Sam and Kay have two children, four grandchildren and are active members at the First Baptist Church of Cleburne.
Beverly Powell is being honored with a Pillar of the Community Award for her vision, passion for others and revitalization efforts in Burleson. As a 35-year career real estate developer, Powell was instrumental in creating a renewed interest in the redevelopment of the historic district of Burleson. She committed to the renovation of a number of the 100-year-old buildings central to the core historic business center. In addition, she is a determined advocate for K-16 education. She was a pioneer in the creation of the Burleson Opportunity Fund, which provides at least one free year of attendance to Hill College for any student graduating from Burleson ISD.
She is a two-time graduate of Texas Wesleyan University and is a member of the Burleson ISD Board of Trustees as the immediate past president of the board. She is also a member of the Texas Wesleyan Board of Trustees, where she is vice chairman of the board. Beverly and husband Charles Powell are active in fund raising projects for organizations across Johnson and Tarrant Counties, including The American Heart and American Cancer Associations, Boy Scouts of America, Make a Wish Foundation, Making it Happen Education Foundation and the Opportunity Fund of Burleson, Texas Wesleyan University and many other area charitable organizations. Powell is a member of the First United Methodist Church of Burleson, where she participates in the Music Ministry. The Powells enjoy travel and leisure activities with their three sons, daughters-in-law and five grandchildren.
Sponsors of this year’s event include:
Mustang Foundation, Great Western Dining, Inc., Technical Chemical Corporation, SSC Solutions, Hill College Century Club, Dr. Teri Walker and Friends ,Citizens State Bank, Beverly and Charles Powell, The Honorable Judge Bob McGregor and wife Brenda, Grandview Bank, Pinnacle Bank, First Financial Bank, Jackson’s Insurance and Financial Services, Hill Regional Hospital, Wells Fargo Bank, Texas Heritage Museum, Hill College Foundation, Now Magazines, Hill County Insurance Agency, Matthew’s Quarter Horses, HILCO, KHBR/The Reporter and Perdue, Brandon, Fielder and Collins.
Individual tickets to the Hill College Boots and Suits Ball are $60 per person, while tables start at $525. Additional table sponsorships and program ads are still available; interested individuals and organizations may contact Jasmine Pope in the Office of Development at 254-659-7512 for additional details.
For more information, visit
http://www.hillcollege.edu/about/Development/Boots_Suits/index.html.