Dole Institute releases fall 2014 program schedule

LAWRENCE — The Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas today released its programming schedule for the fall 2014 semester, including its nationally acclaimed Post Election Conference. All events are free, open to the public and located at the Dole Institute.

“It’s going to be an exciting election year nationally and here in Kansas. We’ll have a good dose of politics but also programs that will address how we can make government work in this era of intense polarization,” said Bill Lacy, Dole Institute director.

Fall semester highlights include forums with political journalists from Time Magazine, NPR, The New York Times and KC Star on the media and the midterm elections; elected officials on bipartisanship and reform in Washington, D.C.; nationally recognized food activist Tanya Fields; a special commemorative program on the historic Dole/Roy ’74 campaign, complete with materials from the Dole Archives; and historian and author Richard Norton Smith with his new biography of Nelson Rockefeller.

In addition to the evening and weekend forums, the Dole Institute will offer diverse afternoon programming. The Army’s Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth and Dole Institute will continue to host the 2014 Fort Leavenworth Series, “Decisive Battles,” through November. The Institute’s schedule will be rounded out with a screening of the documentary “Great American Wheat Harvest,” including a question-and-answer session with the filmmaker, and a book talk on finding freedom from domestic violence, with Ludy Green.

Additional programs may be added throughout the semester. Ongoing updates will be made to the schedule on the Dole Institute’s website.

The Dole Institute’s lineup of programs for the fall semester:

2014 Fort Leavenworth Series: Decisive Battles

Operation Typhoon and the 1941 Battle for Moscow, with John Suprin

3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 4, Dole Institute

There are many famous battles in history that we label as decisive events — Yorktown, Waterloo, Gettysburg and Midway — just to name a few. However, history is replete with lesser known clashes of arms that were arguably just as significant in their respective wars. Don’t miss the chance to learn about these critical clashes on the first Thursday of each month through November.

2014 Politics & Journalism Lecture

The Media and the Midterms

with Dave Helling, KC Star; Jonathan Martin, New York Times; David Von Drehle, Time Magazine, & Juana Summers, NPR

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, Dole Institute

Who’s going to win? And how? Join us as veteran journalists talk about the media’s role in covering the midterm elections. Hear how they go inside the campaigns, get the real time numbers, and get the stories and information out to the people, all of which create the predictions that keep the public on the edge of their seats.

2014 Fort Leavenworth Series: Decisive Battles

Forgotten Transcendence: the Battle of Buena Vista, 1847 with Gregory Hospodor

3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, Dole Institute

There are many famous battles in history that we label as decisive events — Yorktown, Waterloo, Gettysburg, and Midway — just to name a few. However, history is replete with lesser known clashes of arms that were arguably just as significant in their respective wars. Don’t miss the chance to learn about these critical clashes on the first Thursday of each month through November.

Your Story, His Story, the Legacy:

the 1974 Dole-Roy Senate Race

7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, Dole Institute

This election season, the Dole Institute commemorates 40 years since the hard-fought U.S. Senate race between former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole and Congressman Bill Roy. Join Dave Owen, Dole’s campaign coordinator, and Bill Roy Jr., son of Congressman Roy, in an interview with Dole Institute Senior Archivist Audrey Coleman, featuring personal recollections and historic materials from the Dole Archives.

Tanya Fields: Eco-Warrior of the Food Revolution

7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, Dole Institute

Food justice advocate and community organizer Tanya Fields will be interviewed on topics related to KU’s Campus Sustainability Week and KU Fights Hunger Month activities, as well as Dole's legacy of addressing hunger and poverty, with particular emphasis on socioeconomic factors and access. This event is presented in partnership with KU Center for Sustainability, KU’s Office of Multicultural Affairs, KU’s Office of the Provost and KU’s International Center for Ethics in Business, and it is co-sponsored by KU Fights Hunger and the Emily Taylor Center for Women & Gender Equity. 

We Can Fix It:

A Bipartisan Blueprint to Strengthen Our Democracy

with U.S. Sen. Bob Bennett (R-UT) and Dan Glickman, former U.S. secretary of agriculture

7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, Dole Institute

Over the past two years, the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Commission on Political Reform, a group of 30 Americans from all political stripes, has engaged concerned citizens across the country to develop reforms for our polarized government. Bennett (R) and Glickman, a Democrat, will share these recommendations and discuss how they could lead to the big changes America needs. This event is co-sponsored by the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC).

Is It Time to Recognize Cuba?

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, Dole Institute

Frank Calzon, executive director of the Center for a Free Cuba, and Marifeli Perez-Stable, professor at Florida International University, join the Dole Institute for a moderated discussion on formal U.S. recognition of Cuba, beginning with lines of commerce and travel that have been closed since 1960. This event is co-sponsored by the Pan American Association of Kansas City.

2014 Fort Leavenworth Series: Decisive Battles

The Siege of Budapest: A Decisive Battle against Nazism with Sean Kalic

3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, Dole Institute

There are many famous battles in history that we label as decisive events — Yorktown, Waterloo, Gettysburg, and Midway — just to name a few. However, history is replete with lesser known clashes of arms that were arguably just as significant in their respective wars. Don’t miss the chance to learn about these critical clashes on the first Thursday of each month through November.

“Ending Domestic Violence Captivity: A Guide to Economic Freedom” with author Ludy Green

3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, Dole Institute

Green has been working on domestic violence issues and solutions by getting politicians, CEOs of large corporations, Congress and the United Nations to acknowledge her vision. Her efforts were instrumental in getting new language introduced to the updated Violence Against Women Act in 2013. Green will discuss her recent book, which outlines how a woman can regain her independence, her well-being, and her dignity by distancing herself from her former abuser through employment. This event includes a book sale and signing.

No Labels: Stop Fighting, Start Fixing with Mark McKinnon

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, Dole Institute

With five winning presidential primary and general elections as a top political strategist, McKinnon knows all about hyper-partisanship in Washington and wants to do something about it. Find out more about No Labels, a growing bipartisan group of political players dedicated to crossing the aisle to get things done, and McKinnon’s take on where things are headed for the two parties, based on the outcomes of the November elections.

“On His Own Terms: A Life of Nelson Rockefeller” with author and historian Richard Norton Smith

4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, Dole Institute

Acclaimed historian Richard Norton Smith takes us inside his new biography of one of the most fascinating figures of the 20th century, Nelson Rockefeller. Fourteen years in the making, and utilizing thousands of new documents, interviews and Rockefeller’s own writings, the book is the definitive work on this American icon. The book is scheduled to be released Oct. 21. This event includes a book sale and signing.

“The Great American Wheat Harvest”

screening & Q & A with filmmaker Conrad Weaver

3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, Dole Institute

Telling the story of families who travel from Texas to Canada custom harvesting wheat for our country and the world, award-winning filmmaker Conrad Weaver documents the inspiring heritage now threatened to be lost. Many Americans take for granted the way our food supply comes to us daily. These harvesting families take risks and battle technological, economic and environmental challenge to feed millions. This event includes a film screening, Q&A session and DVD sale.

2014 Post Election Conference

Panelists TBA

Thursday & Friday, Dec. 11 & 12, times TBA, Dole Institute

The Dole Institute’s nationally recognized post-election panel is back for the midterms. National journalists and strategists from both sides will analyze the midterm election results and look ahead with early predictions for 2016 in a multisession conference. Come to one session or come to all! Just don’t miss this chance to hear from the experts.

Fall 2014 Study Groups

Behind the Byline: Political Journalists on the Midterm Election with Dole Fellow Dave Helling, KC Star

4-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Dole Institute

Sept. 17, 24, Oct. 1, 8, 22, 29 & Nov. 12

Ten-second sound bites, 300-word articles, 140-character tweets. That's how we digest today's political headlines. This fall, go behind the byline with Dole Fellow Dave Helling and his special guest speakers as they dissect the evolution of political journalism and share insight on the 2014 elections that only veteran political journalists can provide.