The primary mission of the Tower Center is to promote the study of politics and international affairs and to stimulate an interest in ethical public service among undergraduates. The Tower Center is an academic center where all parties and views are heard in a marketplace of ideas, and the Center pursues its mission in a non partisan manner.
The Medal of Freedom is the highest honor the Tower Center bestows. It is awarded in recognition of extraordinary contributions to the advancement of democratic ideals and to the security, prosperity and welfare of humanity. Recipients include:
Former Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Colin Powell (1997)Former Prime Minister of Great Britain, Lady Margaret Thatcher (1999)The 41st President of the United States, George H.W. Bush (2001)General Tommy Franks (2003)Senator John McCain (2006)Prime Minister Tony Blair (2008)The 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush and the Former First Lady Laura Bush (2010)Former Secretary of State and Secretary of the Treasury, James A. Baker (2012)Dan Branch, ChairRobert W. Jordan, Vice-ChairHugh C. AkinHunter L. HuntJan Hart BlackJan Rees-JonesFrederick BushGene JonesFelix ChenBrad E. Cheves, ex officioCary M. MaguireRichard CollinsNancy Cain MarcusPenny Tower CookFred MeyerBrad O’LearyJeanne Tower CoxPat PattersonThomas M. DunningRena PedersonRobert A. EstradaSarah PerotAlan FeldJeanne L. PhillipsRichard W. FisherJoe H. Staley, Jr.Darab GanjiWilliam M. Tsutsui, ex officioJerome GarzaJack C. VaughnLinda GibbonsRoger WallaceJoseph M. GrantRay WashburneNancy HalbreichJane WetzelKaren HughesCharles WylyJames F. Hollifield, ex officioHoward BakerWilliam L. Ball IIIGeorge W. BushWilliam CohenJ. French HillKay Bailey HutchisonSamuel R. JohnsonTom LoefflerJohn McCainFrederick D. McClureDr. Nicholas RostowCarole Keeton Strayhorn