EIU Media Relations

Former Governor Jim Edgar to speak at EIU November 20

(Charleston, IL) – Former Illinois Governor and Eastern Illinois University alumnus James Edgar will headline “An Evening with Jim Edgar” at EIU 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 20, where Edgar will share reflections on his life and political insights from his time in government. Admission is free and members of the general public are invited and encouraged to attend. The event will take place in EIU’s University Ballroom, located in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union, on campus at 1720 7^th Street in Charleston, and is sponsored by EIU Student Government.

Prior to being inaugurated as Illinois’ 38th governor in January 1991, Edgar spent more than 30 years in state government, including terms as both a state representative and as secretary of state. Previously, however, he was enrolled at Eastern where he majored in history and minored in political science. He was extremely active in the university's student government, serving as student body president his senior year (1967-68). He was named an Eastern Illinois University Distinguished Alumnus, the highest honor the Alumni Association can bestow upon a former student, in 1982. Edgar met his wife Brenda at EIU who herself is responsible for establishing the Brenda Edgar Scholarship for Women, awarded to adult female parents over the age of 25.

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