George W. Bush, 43rd president of the United States and founder of the George W. Bush Presidential Center, joins Lehigh President Joseph J. Helble '82 on Oct. 29, 2026 for a discussion on the challenges facing our nation and his time in the Oval Office. Registration will open on Wednesday, September 2, at 11:00 a.m. The event is closed to media.
“Universities have a unique responsibility to foster thoughtful dialogue, intellectual curiosity and respectful engagement,” Helble said. “We are honored to welcome President Bush to our campus for a conversation about the state of American democracy, the enduring value of civil discourse and the importance of renewing a spirit of national unity. The Compelling Perspectives program aims to bring our community together to listen, question and learn from one another as part of our commitment to the open exchange of ideas that lies at the heart of higher education.”
Bridging Divides: Democracy, Civic Service and Leadership for a Shared Future
Programming for this year’s Compelling Perspectives program will examine how leaders, institutions and communities can strengthen democracy by fostering civic responsibility, engaging across differences and working toward the common good. As our nation commemorates America250 and feels increasingly polarized, Lehigh is creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue, encouraging people to engage with diverse perspectives through intellectual rigor, mutual respect and civil discourse. This topic will explore how stronger relationships and deeper understanding help us navigate complexity and build a more connected future.
The Compelling Perspectives series launched in 2023 as a forum for civil discourse on critical issues affecting society. The program was designed to amplify varying viewpoints on timely topics shaping our world.
About President George W. Bush
George W. Bush served as 43rd President of the United States from 2001 to 2009. He entered office with a robust domestic agenda, enacting the No Child Left Behind initiative, which raised standards in schools; cutting taxes for federal income taxpayers which helped lead to job creation; and navigating new free trade agreements that opened American goods and services to new markets of more than 130 million consumers.
Additionally, President Bush worked with Congress to modernize Medicare with a prescription drug benefit and introduced market forces to the healthcare system by establishing Health Savings Accounts. The Bush Administration also focused on a variety of environmental issues, including efforts to reduce emissions and create the world’s largest marine protected area.
President Bush grew up in Midland, Texas, as the eldest son of Barbara and George H.W. Bush (later the 41st President of the United States). He received a bachelor’s degree in history from Yale University and a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard Business School. President Bush also served as a pilot in the Texas Air National Guard.
Following business school, he returned to Midland and met Laura Welch. They were married in 1977. In 1995, he was sworn in as the 46th Governor of Texas.
After the presidency, President and Mrs. Bush founded the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Texas, a nonpartisan organization advancing the timeless values of freedom, opportunity, accountability and compassion.
