ILLINOIS GOV. JIM EDGAR WILL ADDRESS SHAWNEE CEREMONIES

ULLIN, Ill. -- Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar will deliver the spring commencement address at Shawnee Community College Friday.

Commencement ceremonies will begin at 7 p.m. in the college's gymnasium.

"We're looking forward to having Gov. Edgar at the college for this important event," said Jack Hill, Shawnee College president. The president's reception for graduates and their families will be held in the college cafeteria immediately following the commencement.

A total of 190 students will be awarded degrees and certificates, and several community leaders will be given special recognition during the ceremony.

Edgar, who was inaugurated as the 38th governor of Illinois in 1991, is the first Illinois governor to receive his undergraduate degree from an Illinois public university. He was a graduate of Eastern Illinois University in 1968.

Prior to his election to governor, he served Illinois as secretary of state.

Edgar has received awards or honors from the U.S. Department of Education, the American Library Trustees Association, the U.S. Justice Department, the National Safety Council and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.