Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Paul Simon Public Policy Institute’s third Renewing Illinois Summit will bring together college students from across the state on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 24-25, to discuss the state’s future.
Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar, Illinois State Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Urbana), SIU System President Dan Mahony and former Illinois state historian Sam Wheeler headline this year’s event, “Higher Education in Illinois: Preparing for a Tsunami of Change.” The two-day summit will bring about 75 students from about 10 universities and colleges in Illinois.
“Renewing Illinois is a signature program of the Paul Simon Institute,” said John Shaw, institute director. “The institute welcomes the opportunity to bring future leaders of Illinois to SIU and to encourage them to consider how they can help revitalize our state and prepare it for the future.”
Edgar will give the keynote address at 5:15 p.m. in the Student Center’s Old Main Room, discussing his career in politics and views on higher education in Illinois. The program will also feature brief presentations from the four recipients of the 2024 Paul Simon Democracy Prize.
On Friday, Mahony and Shaw will host a conversation about the current state of higher education in Illinois, as well as the steps that SIU is taking to tackle challenges and embrace opportunities.
Ammons will also speak on Friday, sharing insights of her career and discussing challenges facing the state, including her higher education funding bill. Ammons represents the state’s 103rd legislative district, which encompasses much of the Champaign-Urbana metropolitan area.
Media availability
News media will have the opportunity to interview former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, outside of the Old Main Room on the second floor of the Student Center. Other speakers are expected to be accessible during the summit. For more information, contact William Becque, marketing associate, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, 618-453-4009.
