Distinguished Lecture Series
The Distinguished Lecture Series exists to promote learning, connection, and leadership across West Texas. It’s a beloved community series and has been a hallmark program of the Shepperd Leadership Institute since its founding.
The Distinguished Lectures are open to the general public and free of charge thanks to generous donations from the Shepperd Inner Circle.
Have an idea for a distinguished lecturer? Submit your idea here.
Upcoming Lectures
![Photo of Ginger Hardage with information on event details](https://shepperdleadership.utpb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Distinguished-Lecture-Series-Ginger-Hardage-1.jpg)
Distinguished Lecture Series Featuring Ginger Hardage
Ginger Hardage retired as Senior Vice President of Culture and Communications at Southwest Airlines after an illustrious 25 years, where she served as a member of the CEO’s executive leadership team. At Southwest, Ginger led a team of 150 people responsible for building and sustaining the organization’s legendary culture and communications enterprise. Ginger regularly speaks and consults with leaders and organizations that wish to see their culture transformed.
Past Lectures
![Michael Chabon distinguished lecture series promotional graphic](https://shepperdleadership.utpb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/michael-chabon-distinguished-lecture-750x500-1.jpg)
Distinguished Lecture Series Featuring Michael Chabon
Free lecture event with Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Michael Chabon, speaking about his latest book and professional journey.
![Michael Chabon chatting with UTPB leadership](https://shepperdleadership.utpb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/20240204_MichaelChabon-DLS_007-scaled.jpg)
![Robert M. Edsel](https://shepperdleadership.utpb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/20240204_MichaelChabon-DLS_011-scaled.jpg)
![](https://shepperdleadership.utpb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/20240204_MichaelChabon-DLS_085-scaled.jpg)
![Robert M. Edsel standing at a podium](https://shepperdleadership.utpb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/20240204_MichaelChabon-DLS_092-scaled.jpg)
![Michael Chabon with UTPB leadership](https://shepperdleadership.utpb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/20240204_MichaelChabon-DLS_043-scaled.jpg)
![Robert M. Edsel](https://shepperdleadership.utpb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/20240204_MichaelChabon-DLS_075-scaled.jpg)
![Monica Tschauner introducing at a podium](https://shepperdleadership.utpb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/20240204_MichaelChabon-DLS_039-scaled.jpg)
![Robert M. Edsel standing at a podium](https://shepperdleadership.utpb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/20240204_MichaelChabon-DLS_095-scaled.jpg)
![Richard Montanez speaking at event.](https://shepperdleadership.utpb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/20230926_Richard_Montanez_Hot_cheetos_112-scaled.jpg)
![Robert M. Edsel](https://shepperdleadership.utpb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/20230926_Richard_Montanez_Hot_cheetos_105-scaled.jpg)
![Attendees at Distinguished Lecture Series](https://shepperdleadership.utpb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/20230926_Richard_Montanez_Hot_cheetos_046-scaled.jpg)
![Robert M. Edsel standing at a podium](https://shepperdleadership.utpb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/20230926_Richard_Montanez_Hot_cheetos_067-scaled.jpg)
![Autograph signing at a Distinguished Lecture Series](https://shepperdleadership.utpb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/20230330_UTPB_lecture_astronaut_0163.jpg)
![Robert M. Edsel](https://shepperdleadership.utpb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/20230330_UTPB_lecture_astronaut_0162.jpg)
![A speaker being introduced at a Distinguished Lecture Series event](https://shepperdleadership.utpb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/20230330_UTPB_lecture_astronaut_0145.jpg)
![Robert M. Edsel standing at a podium](https://shepperdleadership.utpb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/20230330_UTPB_lecture_astronaut_0130.jpg)
![The audience listening to a speaker during a Distinguished Lecture Series event](https://shepperdleadership.utpb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/20230330_UTPB_lecture_astronaut_0114.jpg)
![Robert M. Edsel](https://shepperdleadership.utpb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/20230330_UTPB_lecture_astronaut_0111.jpg)
![A woman listening to a speaker at a Distinguished Lecture Series Event](https://shepperdleadership.utpb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/20230330_UTPB_lecture_astronaut_0078.jpg)
![Robert M. Edsel standing at a podium](https://shepperdleadership.utpb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/20230330_UTPB_lecture_astronaut_0053.jpg)
![Robert M. Edsel Distinguished Lecture](https://shepperdleadership.utpb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20220927_UTPB-Lecture_Robert_Edsel_139.jpg)
![Robert M. Edsel](https://shepperdleadership.utpb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20220927_UTPB_Lecture_robert_edsel_00004.jpg)
![Participants watching Robert M. Edsel speak during a Distinguished Lecture Event](https://shepperdleadership.utpb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20220927_UTPB_Lecture_robert_edsel_00007-1.jpg)
![Robert M. Edsel standing at a podium](https://shepperdleadership.utpb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20220927_UTPB-Lecture_Robert_Edsel_161.jpg)
![Robert M. Edsel speaking to the crowd](https://shepperdleadership.utpb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20220927_UTPB_Lecture_robert_edsel_00009.jpg)
![Robert M. Edsel Distinguished Lecture](https://shepperdleadership.utpb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20220927_UTPB-Lecture_Robert_Edsel_176.jpg)
![Robert M. Edsel signing a book](https://shepperdleadership.utpb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20220927_UTPB_Lecture_robert_edsel_00003.jpg)
![Robert M. Edsel speaking with a woman](https://shepperdleadership.utpb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20220927_UTPB-Lecture_Robert_Edsel_194.jpg)
Photos courtesy of James Durbin, The Oilfield Photographer
Gallery of more photos from UT Permian Basin available on Flickr.