CARBONDALE, Ill.--Students and news crews jammed Southern Illinois
University classrooms Tuesday (Jan. 14) to hear lectures by one of
SIU's newest professors--former U.S. Sen. Paul Simon.
Simon retired from Congress in December. On Tuesday, the bow-tied policy maker and author welcomed students to his classes in political science and journalism on SIU's Carbondale campus.
"I hope to reach into the future and inspire students who will stimulate us to build a better society," the 22-year Congressional lawmaker said of his new teaching duties. "I looked forward to this with great anticipation."
Simon sprinkled his first journalism lecture with anecdotes about Jimmy Carter, David Brinkley, Jesse Helms, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, William Safire, and quotes from St. Thomas Aquinas.
"What you write can make a difference," Simon said. "The stories are all around."
Simon warned students to use everyday language to communicate effectively--not archaic constructions or academic jargon. And he made it clear all opinions are valid.
"You don't have to agree with Paul Simon on anything. You want your own canoes. You want to go wherever you want to go."
"I think the class is going to be very interesting," a smiling Chanta D. Clay said after Simon's non-fiction writing course. "But it was a little weird to have all the TV cameras around."
He told students in his afternoon political science class that he would likely bring a number of guest lecturers to campus. Simon said that many of his former colleagues had offered to come speak with students, and he would likely take them up on their offers.
In addition to teaching, Simon will head a new public policy institute named for him at SIU.
"The Institute is in an embryonic stage. We hope to find some new ways of solving some very old problems," said Simon, a long-time champion of the poor and an education proponent.
Reporters wondered why Simon picked SIU over all the other offers he had. Simon said he wanted to give SIU students an "extra spark." Retiring politicians and other leaders often take their expertise to more expensive and prestigious schools.
"Many of the students at SIU are the first in their families to go to college. They should have the same opportunities as other young men and women."
