The Dole Institute of Politics at Kansas University received a financial boost of more than $2 million last month from a fundraiser in Washington, D.C., that honored the center’s namesake, former Kansas Sen. Bob Dole.

The guest list for the Jan. 24 event, titled “Salute to the Leader,” included Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., columnist George Will and former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

Notable Kansans who attended included Sen. Pat Roberts, Reps. Dennis Moore, Nancy Boyda and Todd Tiahrt, former Sen. Nancy Kassebaum-Baker and KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway.

The event brought the Dole Institute’s endowment to $8 million. Interest on that money is used to support the institute’s programs.

The Dole Institute’s endowment is managed by KU Endowment, the university’s separate fundraising arm.