The Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas will recognize America’s 250th birthday with its spring 2026 programming, which includes a series by a Kansas journalist and a former state senator and a Holocaust film screening.

Dole Institute Director Audrey Coleman said she’s looking forward to engaging the campus and general public in the lineup, according to a news release.

“The semiquincentennial year, 2026, honoring the 250th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, is a milestone opportunity not just to reflect on our nation’s founding principles, aspirations and lessons of history, but also to envision how these shape the future we create together,” Coleman said in the release.

Mark McCormick and Jeff King are joint Spring 2026 Dole Fellows. Their series, “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness: Principles that Built a Nation,” will examine principles of America’s foundation and future, according to the release.

McCormick is a New York Times bestselling author with almost 30 years of experience as a reporter, editor and columnist and was inducted into the Kansas Newspaper Hall of Fame in late 2024. He contributes frequently to the Kansas Reflector. Most recently, he served as the inaugural executive director of the Kansas Black Leadership Council and deputy director of the ACLU of Kansas.

Jeff King, former Kansas State senator representing southeastern Kansas, focused his work on criminal justice, pension reform, education finance and tax policy, according to the release. He’s currently the executive vice president of the Rodel Institute, where he founded and operates fellowships.

Four programs with McCormick and King will take place at 4 p.m. on four Wednesdays at the Dole Institute, 2350 Petefish Drive.

Their presentations will include “What Does It Mean to Be United?” on Feb. 4; “Liberty In a Pluralistic Society?” on March 25; “A Republic, If You Can Keep It” on April 8; and “The Pursuit of Happiness: Is America Still the Land of Opportunity?” on April 29.

Additionally, a screening of an award-winning film will serve as featured programming for spring 2026, according to the release. “UnBroken” follows the story of the daughter of a Holocaust survivor. Beth Lane, the film’s director, will join Marlo Angell, Free State Film Festival founding director, in conversation following the screening.

The screening event is set for 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22 at the Dole.

All programs are free to attend and open to the public. 

Additional events on the schedule

• Colleen Shogan, former archivist of the United States, will be recognized at the Elizabeth Dole Women in Leadership Lecture at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29.

• An exhibit, “Declaration 1776: The Big Bang of Modern Democracy,” will be on display from Feb. 16 to Sept. 7. It’ll be open for viewing in the Elizabeth Dole Gallery and Reading Room during the institute’s public hours from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays.

• The 2026 Dole Lecture is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, April 13 at the Lied Center of Kansas. The lecture’s featured guest, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and author, will be announced at a later date.

• The Easter Egg Roll on the Dole Institute’s lawn is set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 4. More seasonal favorites will return, as well. 

Read more about the spring 2026 programming at this link. See event details on the Dole’s website at doleinstitute.org.

This post is by the Lawrence Times news team.

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