The Texas Exes Dallas Chapter annual scholarship dinner is always a red-letter day, but this year the chapter took things to the next level. In addition to raising a record-breaking $300,000 for the Forty Acres Scholars Program, last week's fifth-annual dinner had a palpable sense of excitement.

"We're in awe," says Jeff Duchin, BBA ’98, Life Member, a chapter leader who co-chaired the event with Monica Murrell, BA ’02, Life Member. "There was a lot of great energy in that room."

More than 230 guests filled the Belo Mansion for the event. Among the many Longhorn dignitaries in attendance were UT president Bill Powers, State Rep. Dan Branch, and former U.S. Sen. and Texas Exes president-elect Kay Bailey Hutchison, LLB ’67, BA ’92, Life Member, Distinguished Alumna.

The evening's guest of honor was businessman and UT supporter Todd Maclin, BBA ’78, Life Member, whom the chapter named its 2013 Outstanding Dallas Texas Ex. The chairman of consumer and commercial banking at Chase, Maclin is a longtime philanthropist who serves as a director on UT's Development Board and is a member of the advisory council for the McCombs School of Business. Texas Exes CEO and executive director Leslie Cedar told the crowd that coming together to honor Maclin was an opportunity as well as a celebration.

"By celebrating him we have the opportunity to bring together so many enormously generous and committed people to advance our scholarships mission," said Cedar, BS ’89, MBA ’98. "That mission’s most noble undertaking is the  Forty Acres Scholars Program, UT’s premier full-ride, merit-based scholarship program chock-full of enrichment opportunities and for any degree plan on campus."

The dinner's silent auction, always stocked with creative burnt-orange prizes, didn't disappoint. Items up for auction ranged from an orange Vespa scooter to the chance to watch opening day of next year's football season from President Powers' private suite.

Duchin estimates the dinner raised roughly $300,000—a massive increase over last year's total of $70,000. According to Duchin, the funds raised last week will nearly complete funding for the chapter's second Forty Acres Scholarship. "It gets us over two-thirds there," Duchin says. "It was absolutely amazing."

Below, watch the scholarship video that was shown at the dinner: President Bill Powers was a featured speaker at the dinner. Photo by David Duchin / DSPNphotos.com