***Saturday Update***

Doctoral Celebration

Defense Completed!

On July 9, 2026, I successfully defended my dissertation, completing the final academic requirements for the Doctor of Business Administration degree from The University of Texas at Dallas.

My research examines the experiences of women veteran entrepreneurs, a very understudied population and introduces the Business Sustainability Confidence framework. A concept I developed and formally introduced during the oral defense.

This work lays the foundation for continued research, publications and initiatives designed to strengthen the long-term sustainability of women veteran entrepreneurs.

With gratitude, I share the completion of my Doctor of Business Administration degree at The University of Texas at Dallas.

Thank you for believing in this journey and celebrating this moment with me.

~Dr. Hellena Iola-Marie Pugh~
Doctor of Business Administration
Class of 2026

Important Links

A Weekend of Celebration

From the conferral of my doctorate to my 49th birthday, this weekend marks the culmination of years of perseverance, faith and purpose. Whether you are joining for one event or the entire weekend, I am honored to celebrate these special moments with you.

Doctoral Ceremony

Ceremony: UTD Dallas, Richardson, Texas @ 1:00pm
Reception: SpringHill Suites by Marriott @ 5:15pm

  • UTD Ceremony

  • Recognition Reception

Join me as I celebrate the conferral of my Doctor of Business Administration from The University of Texas at Dallas. Following the ceremony, family, friends, colleagues and mentors are invited to a recognition reception honoring this milestone and the journey that made it possible. Whether attending in person or virtually, your presence means more than words can express.

Friday, August 14, 2026

Gathering & Dinner

(Click the Picture to go to the website)

Gathering: SpringHill Suites, Rockwall @ 4:00 pm
Dinner: The Oar House @ 5pm

  • Rockwall Marriott gathering

  • Oar House dinner

Saturday is an opportunity to relax, reconnect and celebrate together. We'll gather for an afternoon recap followed by dinner at The Oar House overlooking Lake Ray Hubbard, where we'll enjoy great food, conversation, and fellowship. This evening is designed to thank those who have encouraged and supported me throughout this journey.

Saturday, August 15, 2026 @ 1430 (2:30pm)

Address via Text for Registered Guests

Sunday, August 16, 2026 @ 1530(3:30pm)

Birthday Celebration

Hellena’s Residence @ 3:30pm
Trivia begins @ 5pm

  • Refreshments

  • Trivia & Games

The weekend concludes by celebrating another incredible milestone, my 49th birthday. Join me for light refreshments, laughter and fellowship as we celebrate not only another year of life, but new beginnings and the exciting chapter ahead. It will be a relaxed afternoon shared with family and friends.

Join the Celebration

You can help me celebrate this milestone by sending a card, gift or purchasing an item from my Amazon Gift Registry that will support my research, technology and future conference travel.

Unable to attend in person?

Request access to the livestream by completing the registration form.

Explore the complete itinerary for this special weekend, including ceremony details, celebration events, locations, and helpful information for guests attending in person.

Weekend Schedule

Directions & Locations

Planning your route:

Expect traffic around the time of the ceremony and slow entrance to the main parking garage. The school has a lot of construction underway and even though we are the only graduation ceremony that day, there will still be school based traffic as well. So plan to arrive early or use one of the alternate parking sites for less traffic.

For GPS directions, search “(JSOM) UT Dallas Jindal School of Management” in Google Maps. Once on campus, please use the commencement parking map below for the designated arrival route, parking, and access to the ceremony area. I normally just type JSOM and the instructions come up via Google Maps. The building for the ceremony is directly across from the JSOM building (SEE THE MAP BELOW) however, there is no parking garage or parking spaces close to the ATC building.

There is also very limited driving on the campus, so you will not be able to get close to the building, you can utilize the drop off Roundabout, I put in RED on the map or park in the garage as suggested by the school. There are at least four different routes to the same parking garage, all the ceremony traffic will be going into that garage (Routes are in yellow, green, purple, orange on the map below). Due to construction changing daily on the campus, one or more road may be detoured, The best entrance is from Campbell Road onto the campus and follow the signs that should direct you to the parking garage for the Commencement Ceremony.

Please arrive early. Commencement parking is available in Parking Structure 1 (PS1), with accessible parking on the first level. Guests requiring accessibility assistance may use the shuttle service from PS1. The shuttle for accessibility is located directly across from the parking structure or asks one of the parking attendants where to locate it.

Parking Code Instructions

JSOM Room# 1.516

Family Waiting Room

☀️ Dallas Weekend Weather

Friday, August 14: 100°F

Saturday, August 15: 101°F

Sunday, August 16: 102°F

PLEASE HYDRATE- DRINK WATER

Dallas will be very hot throughout the celebration weekend. Please begin hydrating before you arrive and continue drinking water throughout the day, particularly when walking between parking areas, campus buildings or outdoor locations.

Bring water with you, limit unnecessary time outdoors and allow yourself additional time so there is no need to rush in the heat. Your health and comfort are more important than being perfectly on time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to RSVP?

1

Yes. If you plan to attend any of the celebration events, please RSVP as requested so Hellena can finalize seating, catering and event preparations.


How do I request the ceremony livestream?

2

Please click the “Request the Ceremony Livestream” button above and complete the registration form. Viewing instructions will be sent before the ceremony.


Can I attend only one of the events?

3

Absolutely. Each event is designed to stand on its own, and you are welcome to attend the celebration(s) that best fit your schedule.


What should I wear?

4

I have additional questions. Who should I contact?

5

Attire varies by event. Please refer to the Weekend Schedule for recommended attire and event-specific details.

To allow Dr. Hellena Pugh to remain fully present with family, friends, mentors, and guests throughout the celebration weekend, routine event questions should first be directed to another attendee you know whenever possible.

If your question cannot be answered through this website or by another guest, please contact the event venue directly using the contact information provided on the Weekend Schedule or through an online search. Venue staff are best equipped to answer questions regarding directions, parking, accessibility, accommodations, and dining.

You are always welcome to send Dr. Hellena a text message or email; however, please understand that responses may be delayed throughout the celebration weekend.

This website was created to answer the most frequently asked questions for guests who responded to the Save the Date and formal invitation. The Save the Date was distributed months in advance, followed by the formal invitation approximately six weeks before the celebration, to provide ample time for planning.

This milestone weekend was coordinated without the assistance of a spouse, parent, family host, or event coordinator.

Thank you for helping preserve her time by reviewing the information provided here before reaching out with day-of-event questions.

Your understanding and support are sincerely appreciated.


A Personal Note of Gratitude

Every milestone has a story, and this one was earned through three years of perseverance, faith, sacrifice, unexpected detours and countless moments that required choosing to continue when quitting would have been easier.

This doctorate is not simply the completion of an academic program. It represents the fulfillment of a promise, the pursuit of purpose and the unwavering belief that obstacles do not determine destiny.

When I was an undergraduate student, a professor learned that I was living in a homeless shelter. She wrote an affirmation for me that has remained with me ever since:

"The Spirit of the Lord goes before me, making my way easy, joyful and successful."

For the past twenty-five years, I have quietly repeated those words whenever life presented another obstacle, another disappointment or another reason to give up. They became a reminder that my circumstances would never have the final word.

By God's grace, I am still here. I remain committed to using every lesson, every opportunity and every blessing to serve others and to leave each place better than I found it.

Whether you have walked beside me for years, offered a word of encouragement, prayed quietly, celebrated from afar or are simply sharing in this moment today, thank you for being part of this chapter. I am deeply grateful for your presence and look forward to all that lies ahead.

To the next chapter…

~Dr. Hellena Iola-Marie Pugh~

Mailing Information

Several friends and colleagues have asked how they may commemorate this milestone. If you would like to send a card or gift, you may use the mailing address below or visit my Doctoral & Birthday Registry for items that will support my continued research, publishing, and professional endeavors.

Dr. Hellena Pugh

425 Pinson Road, Suite M205

Forney, Texas 75126

Thank you for celebrating this special season with me!!!