CARBONDALE - Veteran Des Moines Register political report and columnist David Yepsen was officially introduced Wednesday as the new executive director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Yepsen replaces Mike Lawrence, who retired from the position in November 2008. Yepsen begins his tenure April 1. Assistant director Matt Baughman will continue to lead the institute in the interim.

"Paul Simon's legacy prompted me to apply," Yepsen said. " I am really interested in spending the rest of my life in public service, teaching and working with students and working in the public policy arena."

Yepsen said he plans to focus the institute on two major issues - the needs of students in higher education and ethics in government, something he said is no longer a laughing matter in Illinois.

Yepsen has been a commentator on Iowa politics and presidential caucus campaigns for more than 30 years. He has been on NBC's 'Meet the Press,' CBS' 'Face the Nation, ABC's 'This Week,' National Public Radio, CNN, MSNBC and Fox News.