Dickinson State University hosts an annual public humanities symposium on Theodore Roosevelt on its campus.  Each symposium features a nationally-recognized keynote speaker, a series of lectures by prominent Roosevelt scholars, panel discussions, receptions, entertainment, and a field trip to places in North Dakota that were of importance to Roosevelt.

The first symposium was held on the DSU campus October 12-14, 2006. The subject was Theodore Roosevelt: The Adventurer in the Arena.  Keynote speaker Candice Millard (River of Doubt) addressed Roosevelt’s harrowing trip to South America in 1913-1914.  Other presenters included Patricia O’Toole (When Trumpets Call: Theodore), Tweed Roosevelt, and Douglas Brinkley (Tour of Duty, Wheels for the World).

The second symposium, Theodore Roosevelt and America’s Place in the World Arena was held September 13-15, 2007.  The keynote speaker was presidential historian H.W. Brands (T.R.: The Last Romantic).  Other presenters included Tweed Roosevelt, D. Jerome Tweton (an expert on the Marquis de Mores), Kristin Hoganson (Fighting for American Manhood), and John Milton Cooper (The Warrior and the Priest).

Theodore Roosevelt: Conservationist in the Arena was the third symposium, which was held October 9-11, 2008, near Roosevelt’s 150th birthday. Keynote speaker and prolific author Douglas Brinkley (The Great Deluge, The Boys of Pointe du Hoc) was joined by distinguished environmental historians Donald Worster (Passion for Nature, Dust Bowl) and Dan Flores (Natural West) to discuss Roosevelt's contribution to the American conservation movement and how conservation and preservation were a central part of his presidency. Cornell University English professor Robert Morgan (Boone: A Biography) discussed Roosevelt’s connection to one of his outdoorsmen idols, Daniel Boone.

DSU held the fourth symposium, Theodore Roosevelt: Family Man in the Arena, on October 15-17, 2009. Esteemed Roosevelt biographer Kathleen Dalton (Theodore Roosevelt: A Strenuous Life) addressed TR’s relationship with his family and their place in the American public eye. Stacy Cordery (Alice Roosevelt Longworth: From White House Princess to Washington Power Broker) and Betty Boyd Caroli (The Roosevelt Women) explored the influence of Roosevelt’s wives and daughters on his life and career, as well as their contributions to American life. Marquette University history professor James Marten (Children and Youth in a New Nation, The Children’s Civil War) framed the discussion with an exploration of the lives of children in late-nineteenth century America.

On September 16-18, the fifth annual symposium will tackle the topic of Theodore Roosevelt: the President in the Arena. Please Save the date and plan to join us!

These symposia are not academic conferences. They are public humanities events, funded in part by the North Dakota Humanities Council.  They are meant to appeal to a broad general public, including high school students. 

For more information, call 701-483-2166 or 1-866-496-8797.