KU News Release

Dole Institute’s Presidential Lecture Series features tribute to Gerald Ford

LAWRENCE — The Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas today announced the programs for its annual month-long Presidential Lecture Series, titled “The 2008 Campaign and a Special Tribute to President Ford.” The series runs throughout February.

“This lecture series will be a little different from our most recent ones,” said Bill Lacy, director of the institute. “In addition to this year’s main focus on the challenges and issues that presidential candidates will face in the 2008 election cycle, we felt compelled to mark the passing of President Ford.

“We are lucky to have as our kick-off speaker Richard Norton Smith, who is among the nation’s foremost presidential historians. Mr. Smith not only served as director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum and gave the eulogy at President Ford’s funeral service in Grand Rapids, he also served as the Dole Institute’s first permanent director.”

The tribute to Ford will be Thursday, Feb. 8.

The remainder of the Presidential Lecture Series programs will look forward to the “2008 Campaign.”

— Tuesday, Feb. 13, “Blog to the Chief: The Impact of Political Blogs on the 2008 Election” with five prominent political bloggers
— Wednesday, Feb. 21, “America’s Foremost Political Prognosticator” with Charlie Cook, publisher of The Cook Political Report
— Wednesday, Feb. 28, “Winning the Nomination” with David Yepsen, leading authority on the Iowa caucuses and reporter on state and national politics for the Des Moines Register; Tom Rath, national Republican political strategist; and Jonathan Epstein, national Democratic political strategist

The four Presidential Lecture Series programs will be held 7:30-9 p.m. at the Dole Institute.

The Dole Institute of Politics is dedicated to the mission of promoting civic engagement, public service and politics. It is located at 2350 Petefish Drive on KU’s west campus. For more information, visit www.doleinstitute.org or call (785) 864-4900.

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