Public invited to Dole Institute’s Landmark Celebration on July 22

LAWRENCE — The public is invited to attend A Landmark Celebration, honoring the 100th birthday of Bob Dole, late U.S. senator from Kansas, and the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas on July 22. The day’s events and activities are free and open to the public.

Beginning at 10 a.m., public events will include tributes to Dole and the Dole Institute, with appearances by Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, former U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole and Robin Dole.

“Like my husband, Bob, the Dole Institute of Politics is dedicated to service and building bipartisan leadership for the people of our country, regardless of political party. I look forward to celebrating this legacy in Bob’s home state of Kansas at a momentous commemoration on July 22,” said Elizabeth Dole, herself a former Cabinet member for presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, before serving as president of the American Red Cross and as U.S. senator from North Carolina.

The tribute program will also feature the U.S. Army Color Guard from Fort Leavenworth and music by Loaded Brass, part of the 312th Army Band, U.S. Army Reserves.

The ceremony will close with the dedication of a commemorative earthwork created by renowned artist Stan Herd, which will incorporate over 1,000 works of art from students across Kansas.

A Dole Institute open house and full slate of events for all ages will follow. Schedule updates and more information can be found at Landmark Celebration.

“July 22, 2023, marks the Dole Institute’s 20th anniversary and what would have been Senator Bob Dole’s 100th birthday. This landmark celebration gives Kansas – along with the whole nation – an opportunity to reflect on the transformative power of principled leadership that seeks to find common ground with those who disagree,” said Audrey Coleman, Dole Institute director. “We’re excited to celebrate with the public as the Dole Institute of Politics begins another 20 years fully committed to this ideal, continuing to grow generations of new and dynamic leadership that our present moment demands.”

Schedule of events:

10 a.m. Tributes to Bob Dole and the Dole Institute

• Dedication of the commemorative earthwork
• Special guests including Laura Kelly, Elizabeth Dole and Robin Dole
• Featuring U.S. Army Color Guard, Fort Leavenworth
• Music by Loaded Brass, part of the 312th Army Band, U.S. Army Reserves, from Lawrence

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Dole Institute Open House

• World’s Largest Stained Glass American Flag, Kansas Veterans Virtual Memory Wall, Sept. 11 Memorial, and featured exhibits and gallery activities for all ages
• Special Exhibition: “Landmarks in Leadership: Bob Dole’s Legacy at 100 years”/features from the Dole Archives
• Earthwork photo opportunities
• Food trucks including Pineapple Dream Dole Whip, JB’s Taco Shop, The Corndog Company, The Pretzelly Truck and Brain Freeze (nonalcoholic) Daiquiri Shop
• Kids Zone including inflatables, face painters, lawn games and more

11:30 a.m. Music by Loaded Brass

12:15 p.m. Music by singer/songwriter Ryan Manuel

Noon-5 p.m. Veterans Oral History Interview collecting, with KPR’s Kaye McIntyre and historian Tai Edwards

1 p.m. Special Presentations*

• “Laughing (Almost) All the Way to the White House: The Wit of Bob Dole,” presented by Kerry Tymchuk, executive director, Oregon Historical Society and speechwriter to Bob and Elizabeth Dole.
• “Ordinary Men, Extraordinary Legacies: President Gerald Ford and Senator Bob Dole,” featuring Richard Norton Smith, presidential historian and Dole Institute founding director, and Bill Lacy, director emeritus. Smith will appear virtually for a live interview moderated by Lacy.
• *Program at the Lied Center of Kansas, adjacent to the Dole Institute

3 p.m. Birthday Party including free birthday treat

• Special appearance by former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Tony Adams

3:30 p.m. Music by Ryan Manuel.

The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics is dedicated to promoting political and civic participation, as well as civil discourse, in a bipartisan, philosophically balanced manner. It is located in KU’s West District and houses the Dole Archive and Special Collections. Through its robust public programming, congressional archive, and museum, the Dole Institute strives to celebrate public service and the legacies of Bob and Elizabeth Dole.