Dole Institute announces early spring 2016 programs
LAWRENCE – The Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas has announced its early spring 2016 programming schedule, including the annual Presidential Lecture Series, spring semester discussion group and a program on Sally Ride, the first American woman in space. February will also mark the beginning of a new year of Fort Leavenworth programming.
This year’s installment of the Presidential Lecture Series, featuring well-known presidential historian Richard Norton Smith, is titled “They Also Ran: America’s Would-Be Presidents.” Focusing on candidates for the U.S. presidency who were not elected, the series will examine the important role and effect of presidential elections on American politics. Held in four parts, the series will take place Jan. 31, Feb. 1, March 1 and March 2.
“Our spring semester will get off to a great start with these programs,” said Dole Institute Director Bill Lacy. “Richard Norton Smith’s Presidential Lecture Series programs are among some of our most popular, and we are pleased to welcome him back. Studying the judiciary and America’s first woman in space with Lynn Sherr will be the highlights.”
This spring will also feature a discussion group topic never-before covered by a Dole fellow: the judiciary. Hon. Judge Joyce London Ford, a retired U.S. magistrate judge, will guide “A View from the Bench: Politics and Public Policy.” The five-part series will take place at 4 p.m. Tuesdays beginning March 22. They will study the relationship between government and law.
On Feb. 24, the Dole Institute will team up with Lawrence Public Library to host an event with ABC News 20/20 correspondent Lynn Sherr. Held in conjunction with the 2015 Read Across Lawrence program, the event will take a look at Sally Ride. Sherr is the author of “Sally Ride: America’s First Woman in Space.”
The Fort Leavenworth Military Innovations Series will continue beginning in February. This year’s programming will feature outstanding historians lecturing on topics on which they have published books. Program topics will include efforts in the Vietnam War, space militarization, European combat and more. The first program will take place at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, with “A Raid Too Far: Operation Lam Son 719,” presented by James Willbanks. All subsequent lectures will fall on the first Thursday of each month.
All events are free, open to the public and located at the Dole Institute unless otherwise noted. More details on the early slate of spring programming can be found below.
Dole Institute Presidential Lecture Series
“They Also Ran: America’s Would-Be Presidents”
Jan. 31, Feb. 1, March 1, March 2
Noted presidential historian and former Dole Institute director Richard Norton Smith returns this spring to examine the politicians who unsuccessfully sought America’s highest office. Covering their careers and the reasons behind their losses, this timely four-part series will shed light on the effect of presidential elections on U.S. politics.
“The 19th Century”
Jan. 31 - 4 p.m.
In the 1800s, three men ran for president a combined nine times but never claimed the prize. Though Henry Clay, James Blaine and William Jennings Bryan’s presidential candidacies failed, their historical contributions and careers inspired millions.
“Governors of New York”
Feb 1 - 7 p.m.
The beginning of the 20th century saw the rise of New York’s influence on U.S. politics, along with the start of America’s love/hate relationship with the Empire State. Three New York governors — Charles Evans Hughes, Thomas E. Dewey and Al Smith — became key leaders across the political spectrum.
“Influence in Defeat”
March 1 - 7 p.m.
Adlai Stevenson and Barry Goldwater were polar opposites in many ways. One was from the left and the other the right, but both possessed devoted followers and had profound influence on their party’s development in the mid-20th century.
“The Contemporary Midwesterners”
March 2 - 7 p.m.
Smith wraps up the series by bringing us to modern times with Hubert Humphrey, George McGovern and Robert Dole, three native Midwesterners who had a historical influence that far exceeded their electoral vote.
Spring 2016 Discussion Groups
“A View From the Bench: Politics and Public Policy”
March 22 & 29, April 5, 12, 19 & 26 - 4 p.m.
Named a 2010 “Diversity Hero” of Massachusetts lawyers, Judge Joyce London Ford is no stranger to adversity. As the nation's first African-American chief U.S. magistrate judge, former professor and legislative assistant, Ford will lead a series that examines the interactions of governance and the law. At each discussion group, she will be joined by distinguished guests for conversations about their unique interactions with justice in the political system.
“An Evening with Lynn Sherr: Sally Ride and the U.S. Space Program”
Feb. 24 - 7 p.m.
Astronaut. Physicist. Trailblazer. Many words describe Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, but few encapsulate her influence on science, NASA and the U.S. space program. ABC News’ Lynn Sherr joins the Dole Institute and the Lawrence Public Library to discuss Ride as part of the library’s annual Read Across Lawrence program. A longtime “20/20” correspondent, Sherr is the author of “Sally Ride: America’s First Woman in Space.”
Fort Leavenworth Series
“A Raid Too Far: Operation Lam Son 719”
James Willbanks
Feb. 4 - 3 p.m.