ABILENE, Kan. — Immigration in Kansas will be the topic of the next Lunch & Learn program at the Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum.

The program is scheduled to begin at noon on Thursday in the Eisenhower Presidential Library Visitors Center Auditorium, 200 SE 4th, in Abilene. The program is open to the public at no charge and a light lunch is included on a first-come, first-served basis.

Matthew Sanderson, associate professor of sociology at Kansas State University, will explore immigration in Kansas. His presentation examines why Kansas attracts migrants — from the mid-1800s through present day. Since settlement in the 19th century, the story of Kansas has largely been a story of immigration.

Sanderson will connect trends in the benefits and challenges that communities face when new people move in. The social processes of integrating new cultures into our increasingly shared space will be examined.

“Kansas has a long history as a destination for immigration, but the size and composition of immigration flows into our state has varied quite dramatically over time,” said Sanderson. “If we better understand the long-term processes driving immigration to our state, we can also better understand the consequences of immigration for Kansans today.”

The Lunch & Learn series is made possible courtesy of the Eisenhower Foundation, the Jeffcoat Memorial Foundation and Humanities Kansas.

About the Eisenhower Presidential Library
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum is one of 14 presidential libraries operated by the National Archives and Records Administration. Presidential libraries promote understanding of the presidency and the American experience. They preserve and provide access to historical materials, support research, and create interactive programs and exhibits that educate and inspire. Public programs and exhibits at the Eisenhower Presidential Library are made possible in part through the generous support of the Eisenhower Foundation. To learn more, visit eisenhowerlibrary.gov.