CARBONDALE - Mike Lawrence's life in public policy won't end when he steps down as director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute this fall, but he does plan for it to be just a little more laid back.

Lawrence, who founded the institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale with the late senator in 1997, intends to step down by Nov. 1. While the former press secretary to former Gov. Jim Edgar will still volunteer at the institute as needed, Lawrence said he will be working in other areas.

"At this point in my life, I don't want to do anything full time," he said. "I've been in administration and supervision a long time, but I do want to try to continue to make a contribution to good government. And I want to continue to be involved with young people as much as possible."

He added he'd also like to resume contributing a regular column about Illinois state government, a task he stopped shortly after becoming the institute's director.

Lawrence became director of the institute in 2004 after the board of directors conducted a nationwide search to replace Sen. Simon, who died in December 2003.

Lawrence said he's made it a point to keep the institute's mission true to the original vision Simon had for it. He also said he's confident he's helped the institute raise the necessary money to meet its $10 million endowment goal.

"I have a verbal commitment from a very responsible person for at least $700,000, and we're somewhere between $9.3 million and $9.4 million in pledges," Lawrence said. "We have a great team at the institute and I also believe that our mission is now well-defined and it is entirely consistent with what Paul wanted it to be. So I believe I've strengthened the institute and put it in a position where it will be a major force for policy making for years and decades to come."

Sheila Simon, daughter of the late senator and member of the institute's board, said Lawrence's tenure as director has been successful.

"Mike's stewardship has been fantastic. He's done everything we hoped he could do and much more," she said. "He's continued to bring in fantastic people and continued things that are still important to the public policy institute."

The SIUC provost's office will be in charge of setting up a search committee for the institute's next director. Despite having conducted a national search last time, this will be the first time the institute won't have a candidate in the running who is associated with the organization's initial founding.

Institute assistant director Matt Baughman said the university will be mindful to select a director who will carry on the mission established by Simon and Lawrence.

"I think clearly from an institute perspective it would be important the new director has some knowledge of Paul Simon, who he was and the things he stood for, and also be able to subscribe to the mission he set for this institute and what Mike carried on effectively since Paul's passing," Baughman said. "I suspect there will be a strong desire to carry on the tradition that the institute has had for 11 years."

caleb.hale@thesouthern.com

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