Former U.S. Sens. Bob and Elizabeth Dole are scheduled to deliver the 2009 Dole Lecture sponsored by the Dole Institute of Politics.

Bob Dole has given one of the annual lectures before, but Bill Lacy, director of the Dole Institute, said he has tried to get the two of them to appear at the institute together since Bob Dole’s last speaking engagement there.

“They’re kind of one of the original ‘power couples'” in Washington, Lacy said, pointing out that both have distinguished careers in public service.

The Doles will appear in an interview-style event conducted by Lacy at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at the Lied Center. Tickets will be available beginning at 11 a.m. Monday at the Lied Center box office. Student tickets with a valid KUID will be available at the same time at the Student Union Activities box office in addition to the Lied Center.

Tickets are free and limited to four per person. Orders can be taken by phone at the Lied Center box office, with a $5 surcharge per order, by calling 785-864-2787.

In addition to both serving as U.S. senators — he from Kansas and she from North Carolina — the Doles have a long record of public service. Bob Dole has served as chairman of the Republican National Committee, and was the Republican nominee for vice president in 1976 and president in 1996.

Elizabeth Dole served as secretary of transportation under President Ronald Reagan and secretary of labor under President George H.W. Bush. She has served as the president of the American Red Cross, and ran her own campaign for president in 2000. She was also North Carolina’s first female U.S. senator, in office from 2003 until January of this year.

“Individually, they have extraordinary records of public service, but combined, it’s amazing,” Lacy said.

In his interview with the Doles, Lacy said he hoped to cover how they both got into public service, and why it’s an important calling, in addition to their relationship over the years.

The Dole Lecture is given annually to commemorate the recovery of Bob Dole after he was gravely wounded during a World War II battle. Previous lectures have been given by President Bill Clinton, Sen. Tom Daschle, Gen. Richard Myers, journalist Tom Brokaw and Dole himself.