The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate is a non-profit educational institution and museum founded in 2009 and named after Senator Ted Kennedy, who first envisioned it in 2003. The institute's mission is dedicated to educating the public about the important role of the Senate in our government, encouraging participatory democracy, invigorating civil discourse, and inspiring the next generation of citizens and leaders to engage in the civic life of their communities. In 2009, Peter Meade was named to lead the Institute. In 2014, former University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Chancellor Jean MacCormack was named interim president. The institute was dedicated by President Barack Obama on March 30, 2015 with Vice President Joseph Biden in attendance prior to its opening to the public on March 31, 2015.