Inducted July 25, 2009
Brother Dole is an October 4, 1942 initiate of the Gamma-Omicron Chapter at the University of Kansas. Brother Dole is a retired United States Senator from the State of Kansas and served from 1969 through 1996. He served part of that time as the United States Senate Majority Leader, where he set a record as the longest-serving Republican leader. He was the Republican nominee in the 1996 U.S. Presidential Election. He was the Republican Vice President nominee in the 1976 U.S. Presidential Election.
Brother Dole served in the United States Army during World War II and became a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army’s 10th Mountain Division. In April of 1945, Brother Dole was wounded in combat while engaged with the German Army in the hills of Northern Italy. Brother Dole was decorated three times for heroism, receiving two Purple Hearts for his injuries, and the Bronze Star with Combat “V” for valor for his attempt to assist a downed radioman. The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, housed on the University of Kansas campus in Lawrence, was established to bring bipartisanship back to politics. The institute opened in July 2003 to coincide with Dole’s 80th birthday. Brother Dole is married to Former Senator Elizabeth Dole.
Brother Dole was selected as Kappa Sigma Fraternity’s Man of the Year in 1970 and during many of his visits throughout the United States, Brother Dole has taken the time to visit with Chapters and alumni Brothers on college campuses and communities throughout our great country. Brother Dole is one of the most recognized and loved members of Kappa Sigma who we have had the privilege to call our Brother.