Another longtime journalist is taking over the helm of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.
Jak Tichenor, whose journalism career with WSIU Public Broadcasting spanned nearly 34 years, will become interim director of the Institute on November 1.
He will replace David Yepsen, who is retiring at the end of this month after leading the institute for the past seven years. The university will conduct a national search for a permanent director. Yepsen had a 34-year career with the Des Moines Register newspaper before coming to the Institute.
Tichenor was a senior producer with WSIU-TV for 24 years before retiring in May 2015. He is executive producer and host of the "Illinois Lawmakers" statewide public television series on the Illinois General Assembly. Since 1995, he's served as producer and writer for the Lincoln Academy of Illinois statewide public television series.
Prior to joining WSIU-TV, Tichenor served as the news and public affairs director for WSIU Radio for nine years.
Tichenor said he is "humbled" by the appointment.
