Southwestern Adventist University Benefit Fundraiser in Midlothian, TX: Event Recap

October 5, 2026, Strickland Auctioneers served as the benefit auctioneer for Southwestern Adventist University's fundraiser at Bella Woods Wedding and Event Center in Midlothian, Texas. Trustees, staff, and friends of the university gathered to bid on donated items and raise money for student scholarships for SWAU students in Keene, TX.

Here is a look at the evening and what goes into a successful university benefit auction:

About Southwestern Adventist University

Southwestern Adventist University (SWAU) is a private Adventist university in Keene, Texas, about six miles northeast of Cleburne in Johnson County, Texas. Founded in 1893 it offers undergraduate and graduate programs in fields including nursing, business, music, and education all with an emphasis on, "Knowledge, Faith, and Service".

The Evening at Bella Woods in Midlothian, TX

About 100 guests, including members of SWAU's board of trustees, gathered at Bella Woods Event Center on North 9th Street in Midlothian for, "A Night Under the Southwestern Stars" gala. Sponsors, and board of trustees showed their support, the SWAU singers sang the most beautiful hyms, and trips to Paris, France were sold.

Strickland Auctioneers called the live auction, with our ringmen working the floor to spot every bid and keep the pace up from the first lot to the last. Together, guests raised over $20,000 for SWAU students. Thank you to SWAU's board of trustees, staff, item donors, and every guest who placed a bid.

What Makes a University Benefit Gala Auction Work

Most of what decides a benefit gala auction happens in the weeks before the event. These are the three areas we focus on with every school and university client:

Curate Items the Room Actually Wants

Fewer, stronger lots beat a long list. Experiences and items tied to the school, like a reserved parking spot, dinner with the president, or front-row graduation seats, tend to draw more competitive bidding than gift baskets.

Build the Program Around the Auction

Schedule the live auction while energy is highest, usually right after dinner and before speeches run long. run the auction when energy is high and keep it to one focused block.

Connect Every Bid to the Cause

Guests bid harder when they know what the money does. Naming a concrete outcome, like a semester of textbooks or a student's room and board, turns a purchase into a gift. Many schools also add a paddle raise, where guests give at set levels with no item in exchange.

Planning a Benefit Auction in Ellis County or Across Dallas-Fort Worth, TX?

Strickland Auctioneers is a licensed Texas auction company (TX TDLR Auctioneer License #18533). We run benefit auctions, paddle raises, and charity galas for schools, universities, and nonprofits across Tarrant, Johnson, Dallas, Parker, Hood, Ellis, and Denton counties. See our benefit auction services or fill out our benefit auction gala inquiry form to start planning your event.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was the auctioneer for the Southwestern Adventist University benefit fundraiser?

Strickland Auctioneers, led by licensed Texas auctioneer Jacob Strickland (TX TDLR Auctioneer License #18533), served as benefit auctioneer for SWAU's fundraiser on October 5, 2026, at Bella Woods Wedding and Event Center in Midlothian, Texas.

What does a benefit auctioneer do at a school fundraiser?

A benefit auctioneer runs the live auction, sets the pace of bidding, and keeps the room focused on the cause. Most also help plan item order, opening bids, and the event program in the weeks before.

What is the difference between a live auction and a paddle raise?

 In a live auction, guests bid against each other for donated items. In a paddle raise, guests give at announced levels by raising their bid paddles, with no item in exchange, so every dollar goes straight to the cause.

Does Strickland Auctioneers handle benefit auctions outside Tarrant County?

Yes. Strickland Auctioneers serves Tarrant, Johnson, Dallas, Parker, Hood, Ellis, and Denton counties, including venues in Midlothian, Burleson, Fort Worth, and Dallas.