Flint Hills Military History Symposium
Leadership and War
The Art and Science of Critical Decisions
November 7-9 2025
Kansas State University
Department of History
Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum
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Symposium
Program
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The Kansas State University Department of History and The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum would like to announce this year’s Flint Hills Military History Symposium, which will take place from November 7 to 9, 2025. Our theme is military leadership. The event will occur on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum campus and in the Kansas State University Student Union. The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum will host panels and events on November 7, with the remainder of the symposium occurring at the Kansas State University Student Union on November 8 and 9.​
Why We Chose “Leadership and War” as This Year’s Symposium Theme
IMPORTANT DATES: ​​
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Call for Papers Opens. Mar 7
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Proposal Deadline May 30
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Acceptance Notification Jun 13
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Registration Opens June 13
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Paper Deadline Oct 17​
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Symposium Begins 11/7
Some have observed that a team is only as good as its leader. This statement has been proven time and time again in athletics, the workplace, and most prominently on the battlefield. At the 2025 Flint Hills Military History Symposium, presenters and attendees will explore how civilian and military leadership has shaped and continues to influence warfare. Topics may include but are not limited to, why leaders succeed and fail, how battlefield leadership influences success, changing definitions of leadership throughout time, why being a good leader or a bad leader is not a predetermination for success or failure, how technology aids or hinders leadership in war, and how military leadership transitions into the civilian world.
Symposium Registration Opens June 13, 2025
Join us for the Flint Hills Military History Symposium, where military professionals, academics and military history enthusiasts gather in the Flint Hills of Kansas. Experience engaging discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities that will ignite your passion for military history.
We'll see you in Kansas November 7 - 9, 2025
Registration is $25 per person for one or all days and includes lunch each day, catered reception and transportation from Manhattan to Abiline (on a space available basis)
Flint Hills Military History Symposium
Located at both the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum
& the Kansas State University Campus
Bridging the Gap Between Classroom and Battlefield
The Kansas State University History Department in partnership with The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum is pleased to offer the Flint Hills Military History Symposium 2025 focusing on “Leadership & War - The Art and Science of Critical Decisions". We will explore the historical application of the four instruments of national power: Diplomatic, Informational, Military, and Economic (DIME). This framework has been used for decades to understand how the United States can achieve strategic goals.
Local Hotel Information
& Reservations
Symposium
Program
Building Community
Strengthening
Partnerships
Kansas State University (K-State) and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum are partnering this year to present the 2025 Flint Hills Military History Symposium. Last year's Symposium was a resounding success, attracting scholars from across the globe to engage in meaningful discussions and exchange of ideas and research. Feedback from participants told us this Symposium is an affordable option in the fall when fewer history conferences are available. Our intent is to provide academics and military professionals with the opportunity to network and share scholarship in a more focused setting. We are inspired by last year's achievements and will continue to develop and enhance our programming in 2025. We cordially invite you to join us at the Flint Hills Military History Symposium this November 7 - 9.
Keynote Speaker
Nov 8
FEATURED SPEAKER
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Richard B. Myers, General, USAF
Retired
15th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
President, Kansas State University (2016-2022)
Foundation Professor of Military History and Leadership, Kansas State University (Current)
Our Keynote Speaker, General Richard B. Myers, USAF (Retired) recently retired as president of Kansas State University. He assumed this role on an interim basis April 26, 2016, and was selected to the permanent position November 15, 2016. He retired from the university on February 11, 2022. As President, Myers cultivated collaborative relationships with a broad range of diverse individuals and groups to enhance the university’s substantial strengths in research, academics and outreach. The university has three physical campuses in Manhattan, Salina and Olathe, Kansas, as well as a Global Campus for distance education. ​
General Myers retired from the military as the 15th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on 1 October, 2005 after serving more than 40 years in the US Air Force. As the nation's highest ranking military officer, he served as principal military adviser to the president, secretary of defense, and the National Security Council. General Myers also served as Vice Chairman and Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He has commanded at every level, including Commander of US Space Command, North American Aerospace Defense Command, Pacific Air Forces, US Forces Japan, and two fighter wings. A fighter pilot with over 4,100 hours, General Myers logged 600 combat hours during the Vietnam conflict. General Myers is a native of Merriam, Kansas and a 1965 graduate of Kansas State University, and received his commission through ROTC.
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Site Maps
The Venues
Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum
Abilene, Kansas
Welcome to the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home. In person or on the web, visitors can explore the extraordinary life and legacy of the 5-star General who became the 34th President of the United States.
The Eisenhower Presidential Library is home to a world-class research facility that caters to scholars and history enthusiasts from around the world.
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Kansas State University Department of History
Manhattan, Kansas
On July 2, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed into law the Morrill Act, which allowed for the creation of land-grant colleges in eligible U.S. territories. On Feb. 16, 1863, Bluemont Central College in Manhattan, Kan., became Kansas State Agricultural College, the first operational school created under the Morrill Act. The university, now known as Kansas State University continues to thrive.
Designed to be broad, the history major requires students to take classes that vary widely across time and place. Particular strengths and interest areas of the department are military, science, technology, medicine and environment, and gender history.
Local Hotels (Adjacent to Campus)
Transportation & Dining
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Bus Transportation to/from Eisenhower Museum event on Friday (November 7) is provided on a space available basis. Please ensure you request this on your Symposium Registration form.
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Events on Saturday/Sunday (November 8 & 9) are on the K-State Campus, a short walk from the hotels listed above.
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Pre-paid parking (FREE on WEEKENDS ONLY) is available in the KState Student Union Parking Garage. Tip: Download the ParkMobile App
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Hungry? Check out these local favorites according to TripAdvisor
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Aggieville Pub Crawl
November 7,2025
FHMHS Reception November 8, 2025
Wabash Cannon Bowl
Lower Level
KState Student Union
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Our Partners
SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS
Platinum Sponsors:
Silver Sponsors:
Publishers Expo
November 8, 2025
10:00am - 3:30pm
KState Student Union
Second Floor Lobby
