Karen Hughes, former counselor to George W. Bush, to deliver Paup Lecture

Oct. 14, 2024 ― DENTON ― The Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership (JNIWL) at Texas Woman’s University (TWU) will present the 2024 Nancy P. and Thaddeus E. Paup Lecture, “Follow Your Passions While Honoring Your Priorities,” featuring renowned communication strategist and former counselor to President George W. Bush, Karen Hughes.

The event will take place at 7 p.m. Oct. 22 in TWU’s Bridges Auditorium and will be streamed live.

Hughes, a Texas Women’s Hall of Fame inductee, will share insights from her extensive leadership experiences, offering personal anecdotes and lessons on empowerment, resilience and self-advocacy.

“We are thrilled to welcome Karen Hughes as our speaker for this year’s Paup Lecture,” said Shannon Mantaro, executive director and chief officer for the JNIWL. “Her remarkable career and leadership journey will undoubtedly inspire our students and the broader community.”

Hughes began her career in 1977 as a television reporter in Dallas-Fort Worth. Her journey includes serving as the Texas press coordinator for the 1984 Reagan-Bush campaign, communications director for Gov. George W. Bush from 1994 to 2000, and counselor to Bush from 2001 to 2002. Hughes later held the position of undersecretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs from 2005 to 2007. In recognition of her exemplary work, she was inducted into the PRWeek Hall of Fame in 2020, cementing her status as one of the world’s foremost communication strategists.

The Nancy P. and Thaddeus E. Paup Lecture Series, established through the generosity of Nancy and Ted Paup, aims to provide the TWU and Denton communities with speakers who are bold, innovative and renowned experts in their fields. The Paups, longtime supporters of TWU, reside in Fort Worth and have been instrumental in promoting education, the arts and historical preservation throughout Texas.

The event will also recognize recipients of the Regents’ Scholarship, an initiative established by the Paups in 2023. The Regents’ Scholarship supports academically exceptional juniors and seniors who demonstrate leadership inside and outside the classroom. TWU aims to secure at least 10 commitments to the Regents’ Scholarship Initiative by the conclusion of the university’s DREAM BIG Campaign in 2026.

This year’s scholarship recipients include:

Nancy P. and Thaddeus E. Paup Regents’ Endowed Scholarship

Jessica McAdams

• Senior
• Collinsville
• Art/Graphic Design

Ashley Latchford

• Senior
• Buffalo, New York
• Kinesiology
• Member of Artistic Swim

Sharon Faye Wilbur Regents’ Endowed Scholarship

Mercedes Shook

• Senior
• Fort Worth
• Music Therapy

Ellen A. Amirkhan Regents’ Endowed Scholarship

Malia Viernes

• Senior
• Cibolo
• Business Administration
• Member of the Volleyball team

The lecture is free and open to the public, but registration is required for in-person and livestream attendance.

For more information or to register, visit twu.edu/pauplecture/2024-paup-lecture/.

About the Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership

The Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership at Texas Woman's University is dedicated to preparing more women to take on successful roles in business and public service. Its three specialized centers—Center for Student Leadership, Center for Women Entrepreneurs and Center for Women in Government—ensure women have the education to establish careers as successful executives, the skills for building entrepreneurial businesses and the framework needed to run for public office. The institute and its centers provide multiple platforms for women to advance their leadership skills and experience through education, mentoring and networking.

Page last updated 11:54 AM, October 15, 2024