KU News Release

LAWRENCE — The Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas will host former President George Washington, as interpreted by Dean Malissa, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 14.

During the fun and interactive program, Washington will discuss the founding of the United States and the importance of public service and bipartisanship while challenging a few myths associated with the nation’s first president. The president also will take questions from the public.

“George Washington’s leadership during the Revolution and as our first president was exemplary,” said Bill Lacy, director of the Dole Institute. “We are delighted to welcome a presidential interpreter for the fourth year.”

The program is free and open to the public. It is part of the Youth Civic Leadership Institute, which hosts 62 high school seniors from across Kansas in building their leadership skills and furthering their involvement in public service.

Malissa is the sole actor to portray Washington at Mount Vernon. He also portrays Washington at public events and in TV productions and films. Malissa has appeared as the father of the United States at a state dinner at the White House, the Smithsonian, the National Archives, the National Constitution Center and historical venues and societies throughout the country.

Before working in historical interpretation, Malissa spent 25 years in the corporate world, working his way from junior salesman to senior vice president of an international manufacturing firm. He left corporate life in 1999 to pursue acting as a profession. He has performed and continues to be cast in film, TV, commercial, radio, stage and voiceover productions, although his historical portrayal of Washington represents 95 percent of his work today.