Chicago Radio Veteran Steve Edwards Headed To U Of C Institute Of Politics
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Longtime Chicago radio host Steve Edwards is set to move into the world of academia, taking a position at the new Institute of Politics at the University of Chicago, according to multiple reports.
Edwards has held positions both on the air and on the executive team at WBEZ-91.5 FM since 1999, most recently as host of "The Afternoon Shift with Steve Edwards."
He hosted WBEZ's morning news magazine program "Eight Forty-Eight" from 1999 until 2008, and served as director of content development and program director for several years after that.
Edwards has also moderated several statewide political debates and has hosted the weekly political show "Best Game in Town." In 2007, Edwards also served as moderator for a public panel discussion with CBS 2's Bill Kurtis and Walter Jacobson at the Chicago History Museum, a few years before the iconic duo returned to anchor at CBS 2.
At the new Institute of Politics at the U of C, Edwards will take over as deputy programming director, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. He will work alongside David Axelrod, a 1976 graduate of the U of C's College and a chief adviser to President Barack Obama, who will serve as the inaugural director of the new institute after the November election, the newspaper reported.
The institute is aimed at helping U of C students who plan to explore careers in public and social service, and provide extracurricular opportunities for the students to learn about politics and policymaking, the U of C said in announcing plans for the institute in January.
"A large number of students in the College want to explore careers in social and public service, so we believe there will be widespread student interest in this new institute," U of C College Dean John Boyer said in the January news release. "The exchange of ideas and interaction with policy practitioners will become more routine, and our students will benefit greatly from these pragmatic opportunities."
The institute will be geared toward undergraduate students, and grad students at the Harris School of Public Policy. The non-partisan institute will "bring together leaders, fellows, and students from a broad spectrum of political beliefs and experiences," the release said.
