Dole Institute of Politics holds landmark celebration

August 7, 2023

On Saturday July 22, 2023, the University of Kansas celebrated the Dole Institute of Politics’ 20th anniversary, along with namesake Robert J. Dole’s 100th birthday. During the celebration, many gathered at the Dole Institute to witness well-known politicians speak about the beloved senator and view Stan Herd’s breathtaking earthwork created in Sen. Dole’s memory. Above all, people gathered to genuinely reflect and reminisce on all the astonishing things he did throughout his life.

Many in attendance were former employees of the late senator who delighted to share both laughter and tears over memories of working together.

“What is remarkable about the career of Bob Dole — especially from our current vantage point — is not just what he achieved, but how he achieved it,” said C.J. Mahoney, a lifelong friend of Bob Dole, a member of Dole Institute’s Board of Advisors and deputy general counsel for Microsoft. “To Bob Dole, the nation’s laws, institutions, traditions and character were more important than the controversy of the moment.”

With this landmark celebration, the Dole Institute of Politics was able to present their mission to an entirely new group of potential corporate, foundation and individual donors — connecting the institute to a whole new world of possibilities. Large companies including Microsoft, Meta and AARP now know of the Dole Institute of Politics and everything it stands for and supports.

With the help of the Senator’s daughter, Robin Dole, and many of Dole’s former staff, KU Endowment and the Dole Institute raised funds during the celebration to sustain its important work — ensuring Robert J. Dole’s lasting legacy of service to the state of Kansas, the university and the entire nation will endure. These new connections and relationships built during this celebration will be vital in the future. Senator Dole’s history of leadership as a senior statesman committed to working across the aisle to create solutions to society’s challenges will continue through the dedication of others today and for many years to come.

– Halle Dodson

KU Endowment is the independent, nonprofit organization serving as the official fundraising and fund-management organization for KU. Founded in 1891, KU Endowment was the first foundation of its kind at a U.S. public university.

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August 7, 2023