Former U.S. Sen. Nancy Landon Kassebaum will be among the featured speakers this spring at the Dole Institute of Politics, the center on KU’s west campus announced recently.

Kassebaum, a Republican who represented Kansas in the U.S. Senate from 1978 to 1997, will speak as part of a series focusing on former members of the Senate. Kassebaum is scheduled to speak at 4 p.m. on March 30 at the Dole Institute, 2350 Petefish Drive.

Kassebaum’s address will be part of a seven-part discussion series moderated by political consultant and author Robert Blaemire, who previously was the political director for Sen. Birch Bayh of Indiana.

Also included in Dole’s spring schedule are two presentations from former Dole Institute director Richard Norton Smith, who will host virtual presentations in both February and March as part of the center’s presidential lecture series.

Also making a return this spring is the institute’s annual Easter Egg Roll with Dole event. The free event, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 16, includes a White House-style Easter egg roll race, an egg hunt, games, crafts and other activities.

New Dole Institute Director Audrey Coleman said the center will have programing that also reflects on the recent death on the institute’s namesake, longtime U.S. Senator and GOP leader Bob Dole.

“In honor of his recent passing, this semester will feature programs inspired by the military service and senate leadership of Senator Bob Dole,” Coleman said. “We’re excited to gather online and, for the first spring since 2020, in person. We will continue to monitor conditions of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, keeping the safety of our staff and our visitors in mind.”

Here’s a look at other events planned for the institute:

• 7 p.m. Feb. 10, Richard Norton Smith, “From Revolution to Roosevelt.” Presidential Lecture Series: Military Veterans in the Oval Office.

• 4 p.m. Feb. 16, Don Ritchie, historian emeritus of the U.S. Senate, “Giants of the Senate” series

• 4 p.m. Feb. 23, Tom Griscom, staff of former U.S. Sen. Howard Baker, “Giants of the Senate” series

• 7 p.m. Feb. 24, Kurt Graham and Mark Adams, “President Harry S. Truman,” Presidential Lecture Series

• 7 p.m. Feb. 28, “A Conversation on Race, Part V”

• Exhibit opening in March: “What Would a Woman Offer Her Country? Elizabeth Dole’s Ground-breaking, Trail-blazing Life of Service”

• 4 p.m. March 2, Peter Fenn, staff of former Sen. Frank Church, “Giants of the Senate” series

• 7 p.m. March 3, Dawn Hammatt and Jim Ginther, “President Dwight D. Eisenhower,” Presidential Lecture Series

• 4 p.m. March 9, Shelia Burke, staff of former Sen. Bob Dole, “Giants of the Senate” series

• 4 p.m. March 23, Luke Albee, staff of Sen. Patrick Leahy, “Giants of the Senate” series

• 7 p.m. March 24, Richard Norton Smith, “World War II and Beyond,” Presidential Lecture Series

• 4 p.m. March 30, Nancy Landon Kassebaum, former U.S. senator, “Giants of the Senate” series

• 4 p.m. April 6, John Shaw, biographer of former Sen. Richard Lugar, “Giants of the Senate” series.

For a complete list of the institute’s spring schedule, go to doleinstitute.org.