KU News Release

Dole Institute of Politics announces spring 2007 fellows

LAWRENCE — The former governor of Missouri and a Florida Federal Emergency Management Agency official will be introduced at a public reception Thursday, Feb. 1, as the spring 2007 fellows at the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas.

Bob Holden, a former Missouri governor, and Scott Morris, director of FEMA’s Florida Long-Term Recovery, will spend the spring semester at the institute leading weekly not-for-credit study groups beginning in late February. Students, faculty and the public are invited to meet Holden and Morris at a reception in their honor at 5 p.m. Feb. 1 at the institute.

“We are very pleased to have two such capable public servants and political professionals join the institute,” said Bill Lacy, institute director. “Their study groups will open windows on the inner workings of state and federal government and provide unique perspectives in their areas of expertise that can be found nowhere else.”

Holden’s 25-year career in public service includes his terms as governor from 2000 to 2004, Missouri state treasurer from 1992 to 2000 and state representative from 1983 to 1989. He is chairman of The Holden Group LLC, a business development and international trade strategies firm. He leads the Governor Bob Holden Public Policy Forum at Webster University in St. Louis.

Morris has served as director of the Florida Long-Term Recovery operation since its inception in May 2005. He was immediately responsible for FEMA’s recovery from the 2004 hurricane that hit Florida. He continues to oversee recovery efforts in the state. He was also the deputy chief of staff for the Department of Homeland Security’s Emergency Preparedness and Response directorate. Before joining homeland security, Morris was deputy chief of staff and White House liaison for the Small Business Administration.

Holden’s study group will meet at 4 p.m. Thursdays beginning March 1. His group, titled “You Be the Governor: Making Decisions in the Fast Lane — Policy vs. Politics,” will examine real-life problems and decisions that governors face.

Morris’ study group will meet at 4 p.m. Wednesdays beginning Feb. 28. His group, titled “The Politics of Disasters,” will examine the policy process of disastrous events such as Hurricane Katrina. More information is available on the Dole Institute’s Web site.

The institute’s spring semester faculty liaisons are Mary Banwart from the Department of Communication Studies, Raquel Alexander from the School of Business and Catherine Weaver from the Department of Political Science. They will also be introduced at the reception.

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