THE SOUTHERN

CARBONDALE - As America heads into November's presidential election battle between Illinois' Barack Obama and Arizona's John McCain, local voters have a chance to become more informed.

The Paul Simon's Public Policy Institute's fall speaker series will bring a former presidential adviser, Illinois' lieutenant governor and a Washington-based journalist to the campus of Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

l Sept 23: A panels of speakers will present a panel titled "The Future of Race and Immigration in America: Where Are We Headed" at 11:30 a.m. in the Student Center Ballrooms. Panelists will discuss ways to recognize ways to tap potential in the nation's diverse society.

l Sept. 29: Harry Miller, a retired professor and former dean of the college of applied sciences and arts at SIUC, will present "Globalization of Higher Education: American Style Higher Education in the Middle East and North America" at 11:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Center in Carbondale.

During his tenure at SIUC, Miller helped lead cooperative education ventures connecting the university with Saudi Arabia, Korea, Malaysia, Afghanistan, Nepal and other developing nations. He left in 1992 to head the American University's adult and continuing education center in Cairo, Egypt.

l Oct. 8: Theodore "Ted" Sorensen, a counsel, adviser and speechwriter for President John F. Kennedy, will deliver a speech entitled "A Life at the Edge of History" at 7 p.m. in the Student Center ballrooms.

Matt Baughman, assistant director of the Simon Institute, said Sorensen's lecture will be of special interest to many people because of the upcoming election. "He has some very special insights into the president and the presidency," Baughman said, adding Sorensen will also be able to discuss the impact and legacy a president can have on American society.

l Oct. 9: The Institute will host a reception at 4 p.m. at the University Museum for Jerome "Jerry" Mileur, who donated his collection of political memorabilia to the institute. The museum display contains close to 1,500 objects.

l Oct. 15: Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn will join former state Rep. Jeff Mays, R-Quincy, and a group of delegates from 1970's state Constitutional Convention for a panel on "Is It Time for a Constitutional Convention?" at 10 a.m. in the Student Center ballrooms.

With Illinois residents set to vote in November on whether there should be another convention, which would be aimed at recommending changes to the state constitution, this panel becomes a chance for residents to gain a better understanding of the issue, Baughman said.

l Nov. 17: Doyle McManus, Washington bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times, will close out the fall season with a lecture at 11:30 a.m. in the Student Center ballrooms. McManus will provide analysis of the 2008 election less than two weeks after America chooses its next president.

Baughman said reservations will be required for lunch events including the immigration panel, Miller's speech, the constitutional convention panel and McManus' speech. These will be required to ensure room and meals for all attendees.

-SIUC University Communications contributed to this story