KU News Release

Dole Institute announces 2009 Summer Series

LAWRENCE — The Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas has announced the lineup for its 2009 Summer Series.

President Abraham Lincoln, as interpreted by Fritz Klein, will speak at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 15. In a fun and interactive performance, Lincoln will discuss his road to the presidency, life challenges and connections to Kansas. The president also will take questions from the public.

KU alumnus Richard E. Wood will participate in a discussion of his book “Survival of Rural America: Small Victories and Bitter Harvests” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 16. The book investigates the disappearance of rural towns in Kansas and the need to value farming communities as desirable places to live. A book signing will follow the program.

Presidential historian and Kansas native David Nichols, author of “A Matter of Justice: Eisenhower and the Beginning of the Civil Rights Movement,” will address President Eisenhower’s role in Civil Rights Movement at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 30. His book explores Eisenhower’s efforts to improve civil rights for African-Americans in the 1950s. A book signing will follow the program.

“Our 2009 Summer Series promises to be interesting, informative and highly entertaining,” said Bill Lacy, director of the Dole Institute. “With the varied political climate, spending the summer discussing rural America, Ike and the Civil Rights movement and having an interactive discussion with Abraham Lincoln will be both fun and informative.”

All programs are at the Dole Institute and are free and open to the public.

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