The Dole Institute of Politics

Address
2350 Petefish Drive
Lawrence, KS 66045 United States Get Directions

The mission of the Dole Institute of Politics is to promote political and civic participation as well as civil discourse in a bi-partisan, balanced manner.

By providing a forum for discussion of political and economic issues, fostering public service leadership and encouraging participation in the political process, we emphasize that politics is an honorable profession and that only through political and civic participation can citizens redirect the course of our nation. While the objective is to accomplish this mission on a broad scale, our location at the University of Kansas provides a unique opportunity for outreach to young people and students.

We utilize the three distinct components of the Dole Institute to accomplish this mission: unique displays that tell the compelling story of Bob Dole’s life in the context of Kansas and The Greatest Generation; one of the largest congressional archives in existence which houses all of the Senator’s congressional papers; and finally, the vigorous public programming conducted by the Dole Institute.

Events at this venue

Today

  • Featured

    Senators Trent Lott and Tom Daschle

    Event Category:
    The Dole Institute of Politics 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, United States
    Hybrid Event

    The 2023 Dole Lecture will be held at the Institute on April 25 at 7 p.m. This year’s special guest speakers will be Senators Trent Lott and Tom Daschle. Senators Lott and Daschle were longtime colleagues of Senator Bob Dole. Collectively the three represent 28 years of service as Minority or Majority Leader in the […]

  • Easter Egg Role with Dole
    Featured

    Easter Egg Roll with Dole

    The Dole Institute of Politics 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, United States

    Come one, come all, for the Dole Institute’s Easter Egg Roll with Dole! Join us for a morning of family fun, including a White House-style egg roll race, egg hunt, games, crafts, and more. The event is free (no RSVP or tickets needed) and open to the public and will go on rain or shine. […]

  • Dr. Lou DiMarco
    Featured

    Dr. Lou DiMarco “Incheon 1950: The US Amphibious Invasion in the Korean War”

    Event Category:
    The Dole Institute of Politics 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, United States
    Hybrid Event

    "Incheon 1950: The US Amphibious Invasion in the Korean War" Dr. Lou DiMarco Thursday, April 6, 2023 | 3 p.m. The Inchon landings in September 1950 turned the first months of the Korean War from a national disaster in US national security policy into a great military victory of the West over Communism. It was […]

  • Featured

    2023 SAB Program: National Security in the Age of Surveillance

    The Dole Institute of Politics 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, United States
    Hybrid Event

    In the wake of events like September 11 and January 6, the United States government has fortified its system of surveillance for counterterrorism purposes. Questions of legality, privacy, and constitutional rights have swirled around the topic of national security for decades, especially in recent years. Laws such as the Patriot Act have become synonymous with […]

  • Left: Bob Bostock Right: Myra G. Gutin
    Featured

    First Ladies, the ERA and Beyond

    The Dole Institute of Politics 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, United States
    Hybrid Event

    While the ERA did not pass, three first ladies—Pat Nixon, Betty Ford, and Rosalynn Carter all supported the amendment. These women also supported other women’s issues as did several of their successors. This program explores some of the little-known efforts of first ladies to move women’s rights forward. Moderated by Dole Institute Director Audrey Coleman, […]

  • Left: Stacy A. Cordery Right: Nancy Kegan Smith
    Featured

    First Ladies, Women’s Rights and Suffrage

    The Dole Institute of Politics 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, United States
    Hybrid Event

    Abigail Adams was famous for her letter to John urging him to “remember the ladies” as a new country and government were developed. John and most of his successors ignored that plea until the early 20th century. This program looks at the women who supported women’s rights, those who could have supported but chose not […]

  • Dr. Angela Riotto
    Featured

    Dr. Angela Riotto: “The Union Invasion of Mississippi in 1863”

    Event Category:
    The Dole Institute of Politics 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, United States
    Hybrid Event

    "The Union Invasion of Mississippi in 1863" Dr. Angela Riotto Thursday, March 2, 2023 | 3 p.m. Dr. Angela Riotto will discuss the Union invasion of Mississippi as part of the Vicksburg Campaign. The city of Vicksburg was the last major Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River. After several failed attempts to capture the city […]

  • Left: Shawn Alexander Right: Maryemma Graham
    Featured

    Celebrating Black History Month: A Conversation on Race

    The Dole Institute of Politics 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, United States
    Hybrid Event

    Join us for A Conversation on Race with panelists Maryemma Graham, KU Distinguished Professor of English, and Shawn Alexander, Chair of African and African American Studies. The conversation will be moderated by Dr. Barbara Ballard, senior associate director of the Dole Institute. Maryemma Graham, University Distinguished Professor of English in the Department of English and […]

  • Juana Summers
    Featured

    An Evening with NPR’s Juana Summers

    Event Category:
    The Dole Institute of Politics 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, United States
    Hybrid Event

    Join NPR’s All Things Considered Host Juana Summers for a discussion on her remarkable career, her experiences covering race and politics in today’s climate, and the future of journalism. Juana Summers is a co-host of NPR's All Things Considered, alongside Ailsa Chang, Ari Shapiro and Mary Louise Kelly. She joined All Things Considered in June […]

  • Left: Teri Finneman Middle: Katherine A. S. Sibley Right: Rebecca Roberts
    Featured

    First Ladies and Power – Influential First Ladies You Might Not Know Much About

    The Dole Institute of Politics 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, United States
    Hybrid Event

    Anyone asked to list the top first ladies usually draws on their own experience studying or knowing about the women during their lifetimes. A few first ladies were far more powerful than history classes typically reveal. This program centers on three of those women: Sarah Polk, Florence Harding, and Edith Wilson and the power they […]

  • Dr. Bill Nance
    Featured

    Dr. Bill Nance: “Brittany to the Elbe: 9th Army’s Invasion of Europe in World War II”

    Event Category:
    The Dole Institute of Politics 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, United States
    Hybrid Event

    "Brittany to the Elbe: 9th Army's Invasion of Europe in World War II" Dr. Bill Nance Thursday, February 2, 2023 | 3 p.m. While the 1944-45 campaign to liberate France is well known in general detail, many of the specifics are unclear. In this talk, we will explore the liberation of Western Europe through the […]

  • Left: Michael LaRosa and Right: Michael LaRosa
    Featured

    Evolution of the Modern First Lady – How We Got from Lady Washington to Dr. Biden

    The Dole Institute of Politics 2350 Petefish Drive, Lawrence, KS, United States
    Hybrid Event

    Since George Washington made it clear that Martha was his partner in the presidency by providing her with her own schedule of meetings and having her serve as hostess and surrogate, first ladies have each defined the role as it best suited their backgrounds, personalities, the times, and their husbands’ views of the role. Some […]