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POINTS OF PRIDE
SPRING 2026

This spring, the Dole Institute started its 2026 programming year with a slate of events, programs, and exhibits that feature conversations reflecting on America’s history, culture, and future in honor of America at 250, as well as other timely discussions on public service leadership, world and military history, and socioeconomic issues.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian Rick Atkinson speaks about his career and work process, and his new book, "The Fate of the Day," at the 2026 Dole Lecture.

Commemorating a major milestone in our nation's history

The Dole Lecture

Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian Rick Atkinson was recognized at the 2026 Dole Lecture, where he spoke with Director Audrey Coleman about his career and work process, the legacy of World War II and the historian’s craft in the 21st century, and his new book, The Fate of the Day, the second of The Revolution Trilogy

Former Archivist of the United States Dr. Colleen Shogan speaks about her leadership in the nation's leading recordkeeping and historical stewardship organizations at the 2026 Elizabeth Dole Women in Leadership Lecture.

The Elizabeth Dole Women in Leadership Lecture

Former Archivist of the United States Dr. Colleen Shogan was recognized at the 2026 Elizabeth Dole Women in Leadership Lecture, where she spoke with Director Audrey Coleman about her leadership experience in the nation’s leading recordkeeping and historical stewardship organizations, the role of history in civic engagement and national identity, and her leadership in creating an opportunity for commemoration and reflection during America250

Dole Fellows Jeff King and Mark McCormick speak at one of their four Discussion Groups programs exploring the principles undergirding America's founding and evaluating how they shape our world today.

Discussion Groups and more

  • In partnership with Humanities Kansas, the Dole Institute opened a new set of America at 250 Special Exhibits, including “Declaration 1776: The Big Bang of Modern Democracy” from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, “Spirit of ’76” from the Dole Archives, and “Kansas in 1776” from Humanities Kansas

Actor and director Beth Lane speaks to Free State Festival Founding Director Marlo Angel after a screening of Lane's new film, "UnBroken."

Featured spring programming and partnerships

  • In honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 81st anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the Dole Institute partnered with the Lawrence Arts Center to host a screening of the award-winning documentary “UnBroken,” which also featured a conversation with the film’s director, Beth Lane
  • Dole Institute Visiting Fellow Jerry Seib spoke with the new Wall Street Journal bipartisan polling team, Democrat John Anzalone and Republican Adam Geller, for “Inside the Electorate,” a conversation about the nation’s mood as seen through their surveys and extensive experience ahead of the 2026 Midterm Elections

Dole Institute Visiting Fellow and attorney Ed Duckers was joined by a Washburn Law and KU student for the spring edition of "The Counselors."

  • In partnership with the Washburn University School of Law, Dole Institute Visiting Fellows and attorneys Ed Duckers and Pedro Irigonegaray returned for this season’s edition of The Counselors, which featured KU and Washburn Law students debating universal basic income in the United States with expert testimony from Washburn University professors Paul Byrne and Linsey Moddelmog
  • Former U.S. Ambassador-at-large for Arctic Affairs Mike Sfraga and commanding officer of the 11th Airborne Division Arctic Aviation Command COL Russell Vanderlugt joined Dole Institute Visiting Fellow Jerry Seib for the 2026 KU Security Conference Keynote, “Arctic Security: The New Front Line,” a conversation on how the Arctic is emerging as one of the world’s most significant areas for commerce and national defense

Kansas health policy experts Sheena Schmidt and David Jordan speak with SAB Coordinator Abbie Clements about the effects of the One Big Beautiful Bill in Kansas.

Engaging the next generation of leaders

  • The Dole Institute launched its first podcast, From the Balcony, a student-driven project that features interviews with leaders, journalists, practitioners, and experts from all around the country
  • SAB Coordinator Abbie Clements moderated the spring Student Advisory Board Program, “The Effects of Federal Health Policy on Kansas,” which featured Sheena Schmidt of the Kansas Health Institute and David Jordan of the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund speaking about how the One Big Beautiful Bill’s effects on Medicaid and the new Rural Health Transformation Grant may change the healthcare landscape in Kansas

Children's musician Jim "Mr. Stinky Feet" Cosgrove performs at the 2026 Easter Egg Roll with Dole.

  • Members of the Student Advisory Board participated in the University of Chicago Institute of Politics Policy Challenge Super Bowl, a national policy writing competition where – for the second year in a row – they were recognized as the top undergraduate team
  • The Dole Institute hosted its 10th annual Easter Egg Roll with Dole in April, with over 1,000 members of the community joining us for a day filled with bunnies, games, egg hunts, crafts, live music from Jim “Mr. Stinky Feet” Cosgrove, story time from the Lawrence Public Library, and an activity from the KU Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies

Plus much more

This is only a glimpse into the work conducted at the Dole Institute. Stay up to date with news from the Dole Institute, upcoming events, features, and more by following us on social media and subscribing to our newsletter, The Digital Dole Institute.

Explore more highlights from previous semesters and seasons on our website by clicking the link below.

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