When Dole enrolled as freshman in 1941 KU was celebrating 75th anniversary

LAWRENCE -- When Bob Dole arrived at the University of Kansas in fall 1941 as a freshman from Russell, KU was celebrating its 75th anniversary year.

Sixty-two years later, the university is about to dedicate an institute of politics in Dole's name in a gala four-day celebration culminating with Dole's 80th birthday. The July 19 through 22 event, however, will focus primarily on honoring the veterans who served in World War II, many of whom, like Dole, interrupted life in college to serve.

The dedication plans have sparked new interest in KU during the early 1940s, when he first enrolled. Dole wanted to prepare to study medicine. He pledged at the Kappa Sigma fraternity, which had several members from Russell, and worked as a waiter in the house. He also participated in football, basketball and track.

Deane W. Malott was chancellor, overseeing a little more than 4,000 students. Enrollment was down by 300 students from fall 1940. College-age students were choosing military service or were finding well-paid jobs in defense industries. More than 1,000 male KU students and faculty had registered for the draft in the Kansas Union the previous fall to comply with the new Selective Training and Service Act.

When Pearl Harbor was attacked Dec. 7, 1941, Dole was among those who registered for the military the following week. He was called to duty in June 1943, ending his KU plans and launching an extraordinary adventure of tragedy and triumph.

The four-day Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics dedication program at KU will include the ConocoPhillips military air parade and a fashion show; a re-created USO-style performance; an evening of dancing to the Glenn Miller Orchestra; and an outdoor concert by the 312th Army Band as well as the formal dedication. Among the dignitaries attending the events are former presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw, author of "The Greatest Generation." The events will start at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 19, with the kickoff of the Memory Tent, which will begin with "Heroes of Lawrence, Part 1."

To read more about KU in the 1940s and view photos of the campus during that time, please see www.ur.ku.edu/News/Dole/ku_wwii.shtml.