Former Illinois Governor and Eastern alum Jim Edgar and his wife, Brenda, have donated $150,000 to start a government speaking series to bring speakers to Eastern twice a year to talk about Illinois politics.

“This has been an extremely generous display of their loyalty and affection to the university,” said Karla Evans, executive director for development. Evans works at the EIU Foundations office. The office is in charge of handling the Edgars’ donation.

Evans said the donation of $150,000 would remain untouched for a year, so interest can collect on the endowment.

The interest of the endowment would then be used to bring in speakers to talk about state government, Evans said.

“The original (endowment) is never touched; only the interest off of it,” Evans said.

Every endowed fund works that way, she added.

In light of this, Edgar is slated to speak during the fall semester. Brenda Edgar is scheduled to speak during the spring semester.

Exact dates for when the Edgars will speak are being negotiated.

“The Edgars wanted this to be a gift to the university and wanted the students to have the opportunity to learn from this experience,” said Jill Nilsen, vice president for external relations.

The Edgars created a committee in charge of choosing who comes to speak at Eastern.

The committee consists of Nilsen and a representative from the history department, political science, student government and a professional colleague of the Edgars.

Nilsen said the representatives have not been decided.

The Edgars require the committee to select a speaker who will focus on state government, current issues in state government and the historical implications of those current issues.

The committee has to schedule a speaker for the fall and spring semester for each academic year.

Nilsen said the committee would most likely convene sometime during the spring semester.

“This is a wonderful gift from the Edgars and a wonderful opportunity for Eastern students and the community,” Nilsen said.

-For more information about Edgar’s donation, click here

-For more information about Edgar, click here