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Paul Simon described his public policy institute as a "do tank," not a think tank.
The three candidates in the search for a new director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, whose names were released Wednesday, said this idea was the basis of the position's appeal.
John Jackson, director of the committee in charge of the search, said the candidates the committee recommended are: Bill Freivogel, director of the School of Journalism; Arthur Turner, deputy majority leader in the Illinois House; and David Yepsen, chief political correspondent for the Des Moines Register.
The university president, interim chancellor and interim provost will select which of the candidates will take the post, Jackson said.
Interim Director Matt Baughman said he hopes to have a new director in place early in 2009.
Freivogel earned his bachelor's degree in political science at Stanford University and his law degree at Washington University in St. Louis. He said he spent roughly 10 years as Washington bureau chief of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 12 years at the bureau and 34 years total at the Dispatch.
He got his start at SIUC as a professor at the institute.
Freivogel was named interim director of the School of Journalism in August of 2006 and director a year later. He said he hopes to extend the reach of the institute in Washington with an internship program and also address issues of federal and state judicial selection by becoming part of a national dialogue on the issue.
His interests extend internationally to the Paul Simon Water Act, which aims to bring clean water to developing countries, he said.
"I think the institute could have some involvement there," he said.
He said he would continue the institute's projects, such as health care and policy reforms.
"I think that Mike has run an institute that has been extremely successful and influential in Illinois," Freivogel said.
Turner earned his bachelor's degree in business administration at Illinois State University and his master's in social justice at Lewis University. He was elected to the Illinois House in 1980, which he said made him the youngest African American to serve in state government at the time.
He has spent 28 years representing the 9th District on the west side of Chicago, where he grew up, he said.
"My work experience has been limited, but I think my life experience certainly would match anyone," Turner said. "I think 28 years of serving in public life carries a little weight."
He said he would have to hone his skills as an administrator, but he is willing to work through the transition.
Turner said he would like to start some pilot programs to address state problems such as rural health and public housing.
"I've been known as a guy who don't mind getting his hands dirty," Turner said. "Even in my political career, you won't always see me in a suit and tie."
Yepsen earned his bachelor's degree in general studies at the University of Iowa and his master's in public administration at Drake University.
He said he has covered political campaigns for 34 years.
During that time, he encountered Simon and worked with Lawrence.
"Mike Lawrence gave me my first job at the Quad City Times when he was the managing editor there," Yepsen said.
He said his knowledge and understanding of the media is his most important asset.
Yepsen said his desire to mentor falls in line with Lawrence's statement that students provided him with his greatest fulfillment.
"The university has got to remember who the customers are," Yepsen said. "I think sometimes that gets lost in the shuffle."
If he is chosen, he would like the institute to address the national debt and race in society, but he plans no major changes for the institute, he said.
Jackson said all three candidates are strong and present potential for leadership in areas valuable to the institute.
"I think this reflects that overall, we had a good pool and these are the cream of the crop from that pool," Jackson said.
Brandy Oxford can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 255 or brandy.oxford@siude.com.
