Bob Dole Endows Robert J. Dole Law Professorship Fund
Enduring passion inspires gift to School of Law
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Senator Robert J. "Bob" Dole, ba '52, jd '52 and, honorary doctorates '69 and'85, Washington, D.C., has dedicated his life and career to the service of the both law and government. This enduring passion inspired Dole to recently establish the Senator Robert J. Dole Law Professorship in the Washburn School of Law's Center for Law and Government. Dole's gift will provide funds to help recruit and retain an outstanding faculty member to serve as director of the recently established Center for Law and Government.
"We are deeply appreciative of Senator Dole's generous support of Washburn University School of Law," said Thomas J. Romig, dean of the School of Law. "Senator Dole's outstanding career as a public servant embodies the goals of our newly-created Center for Law and Government. Romig noted the Center will parallel Senator Dole's career, educating students on all aspects of public service from local and state government to federal government. "This significant gift will allow Washburn Law to prepare students as highly-qualified public servants for a broad range of careers at all levels of government," he said.
After graduation from Washburn, Dole practiced law and served as an elected government official at the local, state and federal levels. His extensive public service includes the Kansas House of Representatives, four terms as Russell County Attorney, eight years as a U.S. Congressman, followed by nearly 30 years as a U.S. Senator. Dole also served as chairman of the Republican National Committee, president of the U.S. Senate and as Senate majority leader. He was President Gerald Ford's vice presidential running mate in 1976, was a Republican candidate for President of the United States in 1988, and the Republican nominee for President in 1996.
"We truly appreciate the generosity of this very special alumnus. Washburn has been home to many outstanding alumni through its history, and Senator Dole is certainly someone Washburn and our entire nation are proud of," said Dr. Jerry Farley, president of Washburn University. "We are very fortunate to have the support of a Washburn graduate like Senator Dole who exemplifies a life of service to his community and country."
Washburn honored Dole in 1966 with a Distinguished Service Award, and the School of Law conferred a Distinguished Service Award on him in 1981. He served 1987-1998 as a Washburn Endowment trustee, receiving emeritus status in 1998. In 2003, he established the Honorable Robert J. Dole Scholarship for Law Students, is a member of the Lincoln Society and a lifetime member of the Washburn Alumni Association.
The $300,000 Dole gift also qualifies for Kansas Partnership for Faculty of Distinction funds, a legislative effort to ensure and promote high quality educators in university classrooms.
Posted March 16, 2009. Originally published in Washburn Alumni, Spring 2009, p. 10-11.
