Sen. Paul Simon, D-Ill., with the help of Gov. Jim Edgar, officially announced Monday that he will be coming to SIUC in the spring semester of 1997 to teach classes and chair The Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.

Simon said he will be teaching courses in journalism and political science or history out of the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Mass Communication and Media Arts.

He said he wants to teach one course one semester on the legislative process and another class of about 20 students for non-fiction writing.

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Simon announced his decision on the steps of the Shryock Auditorium and SIU officials declared it a great day for the University.

Simon said the institute will examine non-partisan issues before the state and international community and he will seek active involvement from Republicans, Democrats and Independents.

I’m not going to make any pledge that I’m not going to be in any partisan activities, Simon said. But it will be a diminished role.

Edgar said he was pleased Simon would continue making a major contribution to the development of public policy in Illinois and the nation.

He (Simon) will bring a strong commitment to public service, a thoughtful approach to confronting the vital issues of our day, a fundamental decency and unshakable integrity to this important, exciting venture, Edgar said.

SIU Chancellor Ted Sanders said it has been a historic week for SIUC because of President Bill Clinton’s address and now Simon’s decision to come to SIU.

Sen. Simon is one of the greatest statesman our nation has produced, Sanders said.

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Simon, a former journalist and owner/editor of a newspaper, Counter-Intelligence Corps special agent, Illinois House representative, Illinois Senate representative, lieutenant governor, presidential candidate, and U.S. House representative will retire from the U.S. Senate in January 1997 to come to SIU.

Simon said as executive director of the chair his priority will be SIU, but he will continue to write and occasionally give speeches around the country.

We hope he is in demand to speak around the country, Sanders said.

Vice President for Institutional Advancement, J. Robert Quatroche, said SIU was hoping all along that Simon would choose to come here.

SIU and the community of Carbondale and Southern Illinois should consider themselves very fortunate that he chose to spend his post-political career here, Quatroche said.

Quatroche, who is directing the fundraising campaign necessary to raise funds for Simon’s position, said no set amount has been determined for the new position.

Sanders said Simon’s presence at SIUC will improve the University’s sagging enrollment.

Simon said he chose SIU over all other offers from across the country because it is near his home and shows significant potential for even greater leadership.

This institute will serve SIU with imagination and dedication, he said. I will be proud to be a Saluki.