
Ambassador (retired) Larry Napper has been named interim director of the Scowcroft Institute for International Affairs of the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University.
Napper’s appointment was announced by Dr. Sam Kirkpatrick, executive associate dean of the Bush School.
Ambassador Napper is a senior lecturer at the Bush School who served 31 years in the U.S. Foreign Service before retiring in 2005. Among his many diplomatic assignments were U.S. ambassador to Latvia (1995-1998) and U.S. ambassador to Kazakhstan (2001-2004). His service was recognized with the Secretary of State Career Achievement Award and two Presidential Meritorious Service Awards, among others. In 2008, Ambassador Napper served as co-leader of the Iraq Governance Assessment Team working with Ambassador Ryan Crocker and General David Petraeus on measures to improve governance.
“I am pleased that Ambassador Napper has agreed to take on this interim assignment,” said Kirkpatrick. “He will be ably assisted by Dr. Jeff Engel, Dr. Jasen Castillo and former Bush School dean Dick Chilcoat as we keep the institute’s educational and research programs on track.”
Details of the search for a permanent director will be forthcoming, Kirkpatrick added.