Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa

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The Dole Institute of Politics was proud to honor Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa, as the 2013 Dole Leadership Prize recipient. Mandela's great-grandson, Luvuyo Mandela, accepted the prize on the former president's behalf. The $25,000 prize was awarded to the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory at the Nelson Mandela Foundation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPkhSlWZi-I

2014 | The First Ladies: Intimate Sacrifice, Honored Post

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Richard Norton Smith, notable presidential historian, will examine the private lives and the public roles of the First Ladies and how this position has changedsince Martha Washington. The Presidential Lecture Series is sponsored in part by the William T. Kemper II Charitable Trust and Commerce Trust Company and Bob Loyd, Co-Trustees.   Prisoners of State […]

The New Democrats and the Return to Power: Al From

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"Al From is the principal architect for the Clinton presidency and the new Democrat movement, which helped shape the 21st century Democratic Party," said Dole Institute Director Bill Lacy. "Most of the Dole Lectures have been by or about public figures; this is the first that will honor a person working behind the scenes to […]

John D. Kemp, president & CEO of The Viscardi Center

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The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics honored John D. Kemp, president & CEO of the Viscardi Center, with the 2014 Dole Leadership Prize. The prize was awarded during an interview with Mr. Kemp, who uses his own life with a disability to inspire others to achieve the impossible through knowledge, experience, vision, personality, and […]

2015 | The First Woman President 2.0

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With attention turning toward the next presidential race, we look at a question we first addressed nine years ago: Will the U.S. elect its first woman president? What unique challenges must women overcome to rise through the ranks to some of the highest positions in public service, politics, and business or to be President of […]

Representative Lynn Jenkins

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U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins, fifth ranking member of the House Majority, will be interviewed on her national leadership position in Congress, what’s happening in Washington, D.C., today, and women’s leadership. An excellent way to conclude a semester largely devoted to women as leaders. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp0SdSaGeDU  

William J. Clinton, 42nd President of the United States

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President Bill Clinton accepted the 2015 Dole Leadership Prize, presented by the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, for his work balancing the budget and practicing bipartisanship while in office. As president, Clinton led the U.S. to the longest economic expansion in American history and worked with both Republic and Democratic congressional majorities. The Dole […]

2016 | They Also Ran: America’s Would-Be Presidents

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In the 2016 Presidential Lecture Series, noted presidential historian and former Dole Institute director Richard Norton Smith returns this spring to examine the politicians who were nominated to America’s highest office but never elected. Covering their careers and the reasons behind their losses, this timely four-part series will shed light on the impact of presidential […]

Martin Frost and Tom Davis

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In a high-stakes election year with deep divisions along party lines, bipartisanship often feels like a thing of the past. Former Congressmen Tom Davis (R) and Martin Frost (D) joined us at the Institute to discuss why gridlock is more prominent than ever—and how it can be stopped. With 40 years of combined service in […]

Nancy Kassebaum, U.S. Senator

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Longtime Senate colleagues and friends Bob Dole and Nancy Kassebaum take the stage at the Dole Institute to discuss Congress when they served, the state of Congress today and contemporary politics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap9LtcT39L0

2017 | The U.S. and the Great War: 100 Years Later

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On April 2, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson asked a joint session of Congress to make the world “safe for democracy.” Four days later, the United States entered World War I, one of the deadliest wars in American history. The 2017 Presidential Lecture Series will welcome expert guest lecturers to dive inside U.S. involvement in the […]

INNOVATION SERIES | Finances of Innovation

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In the 21st century, government financing plays an ever-increasing role in scientific innovation. Hosted in partnership with the KU School of Engineering, join a fascinating discussion on federal research and development funding with Kei Koizumi, former Assistant Director for Federal Research and Development at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dp8J47FLxh8

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