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Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics facts for kids

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The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics
Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics logo.png
Established 2003
Academic affiliation
 University of Kansas
Director Audrey Coleman
Location
Lawrence
,
Kansas
,
U.S.

The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, often called the Dole Institute, is a special place at the University of Kansas. It was started by Bob Dole, who was a U.S. Senator from Kansas and ran for president in 1996.

The Dole Institute opened on July 22, 2003, which was Bob Dole's 80th birthday. It's a big building, about 28,000-square-foot (2,600 m2) in size. This institute keeps many of Bob Dole's important papers and hosts lots of events about politics.

The institute is officially "bipartisan," meaning it welcomes ideas and people from both major political parties. It often has programs with important politicians from different backgrounds. The Dole Institute also gives out an annual award called the Dole Leadership Prize. This prize includes a $25,000 cash award and is given each September.

The institute also hosts the Dole Lecture every April. A well-known national figure talks about current politics or important issues. There's also a Presidential Lecture Series where experts, historians, and even former presidents or White House staff talk about the U.S. presidency.

In 2017, Elizabeth Dole, Bob Dole's wife, gave her career papers to the Dole Institute's archives. The current director of the institute is Audrey Coleman.

Exploring the Dole Institute's Features

The Dole Institute building has many interesting parts, inside and out. Many of these features were gifts from different people and groups.

Outside the Building: Special Gifts

American Flag Window
The south-facing Old Glory in Stained Glass and World Trade Center Memorial.
Dole Institute
The exterior of the Dole Institute of Politics; Polly's Pond and the Kansas State Seal.

The outside of the building has a path leading to the main entrance. This path is made of special bricks. Many of these bricks honor veterans from World War II. More personalized bricks are added over time.

Other cool things outside include Polly's Pond and a large Kansas State Seal.

  • Polly's Pond is a reflecting pool, about 32,000 sq ft (3,000 m2) big. It looks a bit like the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. A fountain is in the middle of the pond. Polly Bales of Logan, Kansas, gave this pond as a gift.
  • The Kansas State Seal is a huge 14-foot (4.3 m) copy of the official Kansas State Seal. It sits on the front of the building. This seal was a gift from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation. It's thought to be the biggest Kansas State Seal anywhere!

Inside the Building: Galleries and Halls

Russell Window
The east-facing Russel Window pictured in the early morning.

The Darby Gallery is the main lobby of the Dole Institute. It has the Russell Window, the Kansas Granite Floor Map, and the start of the museum exhibits. The Darby family, whose father was Senator Harry Darby, gave this gallery.

  • The Russell Window is a beautiful stained-glass artwork. It's 20-foot (6.1 m) tall and 12-foot (3.7 m) wide. It shows the landscape of Russell, Kansas, which is Bob Dole's hometown. Senator Dole gave this window to honor his parents.
  • The Kansas Granite Floor Map is a map of Kansas made from red granite on the floor. It's 19-foot (5.8 m) across. Brass stars on the map show Russell, Topeka, and Lawrence. These cities were important in Senator Dole's life. The Billings family gave this map.

Hansen Hall is the main exhibit area at the Dole Institute. The Dane G. Hansen Foundation also gave this hall. It has 20 different exhibits all around the room. The ceiling is very tall, going from 12 feet to 36 feet high. This hall is used for exhibits, public talks, meetings, and dinners. It features the Old Glory in Stained Glass, the World Trade Center Memorial, and a replica of the U.S. Capitol Dome.

  • The Old Glory in Stained Glass is a giant stained-glass American flag. It's 29-foot (8.8 m) tall. People believe it's the largest stained-glass flag in the world! University of Kansas alumni Forrest and Sally Hoglund gave this display.
  • The World Trade Center Memorial has two large columns. These columns, each 11½-feet (3.5 m) tall, were saved from the Twin Towers after 9/11. They are displayed behind glass with a special plaque. Fred and Virginia Urban Merrill, who also went to the University of Kansas, gave these columns.
  • The U.S. Capitol Dome is a 12-foot (3.7 m) copy of the real U.S. Capitol Dome. Senators Bob and Elizabeth Dole gave this dome. It's often used as a background for events held in Hansen Hall.

The Rhodes Conference Room is a private meeting room. It has a wall covered with awards that Senator Dole received. Roland and Winona Rhodes gave this room.

The Simons Media Room was a gift from the Simons Family. This room has an exhibit about the 1976 presidential election. It's also used for smaller events at the Dole Institute.

Student Opportunities and Awards

The Dole Institute has many activities for students.

Student Advisory Board

The Student Advisory Board is a group of students who are interested in helping their community, government, and politics. They usually meet twice a month. This group also hosts programs like discussion groups, "pizza and politics" events, and an evening program each year. They have invited many important journalists and leaders to speak.

Discussion groups are led by Dole Fellows. Each week, a group talks about a specific topic with an expert in that area. These small groups let students learn directly from experts. "Pizza and politics" sessions bring University of Kansas students together with professionals for informal lunch conversations.

Youth Programs and Awards

The Dole Institute also hosts the Youth Civic Leadership Institute for high school students.

Each year, the Dole Institute gives out several awards to students:

  • The Robert E. Hemenway Public Service Award goes to a junior student leader. This student is respected by their classmates and works to make civic life better at the University of Kansas.
  • The Robert J. Dole Service to Country Award is given to a member of the Student Advisory Board. This person must be dedicated to public service and show strong leadership.
  • The Elizabeth Dole Award is also given to a Student Advisory Board member. This award recognizes someone who supports student culture, connects education with future goals, and takes part in civic engagement.

Dole Lecture Speakers

The Dole Lecture brings important national figures to speak. Here are some of the past speakers:

Dole Leadership Prize Winners

The Dole Leadership Prize honors leaders who have made a big difference. Here are some of the past winners:

Presidential Lecture Series Speakers

This series features experts who discuss the U.S. presidency.

  • 2002 - Inaugural Series with Edmund Morris, Michael Beschloss, and David McCullough
  • 2003 - Presidential Historians and Authors with Robert Caro and David Gergen
  • 2004 - Lincoln Week with Douglas L. Wilson, Allen Guelzo, Phil Paludan, Jean Baker, and James M. McPherson
  • 2005 - President Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime with Lou Cannon, Jim Hooley, Andrew Littlefair, Gary Foster, Jack Matlock, Frank Donatelli, Ed Rollins, and Richard Wirthlin
  • 2006 - The First Woman President with Carol Moseley-Braun, Eleanor Clift, Celinda Lake, Kellyanne Conway, Mary Beth Cahill, Tom Daffron, Jeanne Shaheen, Jane Swift, and Barbara Lee
  • 2007 - The 2008 Campaign and a Special Tribute to President Ford with Richard Norton Smith, Erick-Woods Erickson, Patrick Hynes, Scott W. Johnson, Joan McCarter, David D. Perlmutter, Charlie Cook, David Yepsen, Tom Rath, and Jonathan Epstein
  • 2008 - The American Presidency: Past, Present, and Future with Steve Kraske, Jill Zuckman, Joel Mathis, Lou Cannon, Carl M. Cannon, Geoff Earle, Lynn Sweet, Tom Beaumont, and Kasey Pipes
  • 2009 - Ten Score: Abraham Lincoln's Legacy with Richard Norton Smith, Michael Burlingame, Ron White, and Jennifer Weber
  • 2010 - Bob Dole: 50 Years of Leadership and Bipartisanship with Jake Thompson, Sheila Burke, Rod DeArment, Michael Glassner, Richard A. Baker, and Jack Danforth
  • 2011 - 20th Century Mount Rushmore with Richard Norton Smith
  • 2012 - Why Presidents Succeed. Why They Fail with Richard Norton Smith, John Andrews, Lee Huebner, with Mark Updegrove
  • 2013 - In the Beginning: Three Men Who Made America with Richard Norton Smith
  • 2014 - The First Ladies: Intimate Sacrifice, Honored Post with Richard Norton Smith
  • 2015 - The First Woman President 2.0 with Kathleen Sebelius, Adrienne Kimmell, Gilda Cobb Hunter, Beka Romm, Joan Wagnon, Mary Banwart, Ann Cudd, and Alice Lieberman
  • 2016 - They Also Ran: America's Would-Be Presidents with Richard Norton Smith
  • 2017 - The U.S. and the Great War: 100 Years Later with Michael Neiberg, Richard S. Faulkner, Jennifer Keene, and John Milton Cooper
  • 2018 - 1 to 44: The Best and the Worst of American Presidents with Richard Norton Smith
  • 2019 - Follow the Leader: Four Women's Journeys in Public Service with Christina Ostmeyer, Danielle Rudes, Julie A. Robinson, and Mary Lou Jaramillo
  • 2020 - Presidential Speeches and Rhetoric with Dr. Robert Rowland
  • 2021 - Where Do We Go from Here? with Richard Norton Smith
  • 2022 - Military Veterans in the Oval Office with Richard Norton Smith
  • 2023 - First Ladies as Presidential Partners with Diana B. Carlin
  • 2024 - Exactly How Much Power Does an American President Have? with Matt Beat

Elizabeth Dole Women in Leadership Lecture

This lecture series focuses on women in leadership roles.

  • 2017 - Elizabeth Dole
  • 2018 - Meg Kabat, Robyn Loveland, and Carolyn Tolliver-Lee
  • 2019 - Sharice Davids
  • 2020 - Diana M. Holland
  • 2022 - Sherrie Rollins Westin
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