May 18, 2020
Simon Institute to host Knox College president in virtual talk
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Knox College President Teresa L. Amott will participate in a virtual discussion this week hosted by Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.
Amott will share her insights into the challenges that higher education in Illinois is facing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The online event begins at 1 p.m. Thursday, May 21.
The free event is open to the public but registration is required and closes when the event starts.
Continuing series of conversations
The discussion with Amott is part of the Institute’s online series called “Understanding Our New World” with historians, political analysts, and state and national leaders discussing how the pandemic is reshaping the world. The discussion focus is “Higher Education in Illinois and the COVID-19 Crisis.”
“Teresa Amott is one of the most respected and longest currently-serving college and university presidents in Illinois,” John T. Shaw, Institute director said. “President Amott has confronted many of the same challenges that all leaders of higher education in Illinois have faced including difficult demographic trends, a protracted state budget crises, and now the deeply disruptive Covid-19 crisis. She will offer important insights about the immediate and long-term challenges and opportunities caused by this pandemic.”
Named Knox College president in 2011
Amott is the 19th president of the college, based in Galesburg, Illinois and the first female to lead the college since its founding in 1837. Her career in higher education includes faculty and administrative positions at Bucknell University, Gettysburg College, and Hobart and William Smith Colleges, where she served as dean of the faculty and provost. Amott earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Smith College and a doctorate in economics from Boston College.
Registration open for Amott’s conversation
Registration for the free ZOOM meeting is available in advance. After completing registration, participants will receive an email confirmation with information about joining the meeting, along with the meeting ID and password.
Participants have an opportunity when they register to submit a question to Amott by email at paulsimoninstitute@siu.edu or by including it in the “Questions and Comments” section on the registration form.
Virtual talks attracting audiences
Shaw is pleased with the response to the Institute’s first two virtual talks featuring author and historian David Kennedy and former U.N. and Swedish diplomat Jan Eliasson. The events are available on YouTube.