CARBONDALE - The first of three finalists up for the director's position of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale will have a public forum this afternoon in the Student Center.

David Yepsen, a nationally recognized political columnist for the Des Moines Register, will be in the Illinois Room on the second floor of the building from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. The search committee has set aside time for the public to meet each candidate up for the position.

Other finalists State Rep. Arthur Turner and SIUC School of Journalism Director Bill Freivogel will also have public sessions on their respective interview dates, Dec. 4 and Dec. 9.

The institute is searching for a replacement to Mike Lawrence, who officially retired from the organization Nov. 1. Lawrence helped late Sen. Paul Simon establish the institute in 1997. Simon was director until his death in 2003. Lawrence took over in the seat in October of 2004.

Institute assistant director Matt Baughman is leading the organization through this interim period.