High-ranking economist to speak at Benedictine

Former presidential economic adviser Austan Goolsbee will discuss "Economic and Political Realities: 2015 and Beyond," during an appearance at 7 p.m. Nov. 12 at Benedictine University in Lisle.

Goolsbee's appearance is sponsored by the university's Center for Civic Leadership, or CCL, on the second floor of the Krasa Student Center, 5700 College Road.

Goolsbee is the Robert P. Gwinn professor of economics at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He previously served in Washington as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers and the youngest member of the president's cabinet.

Goolsbee's research has earned him recognition as a Fulbright Scholar and an Alfred P. Sloan Fellow. He has been named one of the "100 Global Leaders for Tomorrow" by the World Economic Forum and one of the six "Gurus of the Future" by the Financial Times.

Comedy Central's "Daily Show" host Jon Stewart describes him as "Eliot Ness meets Milton Friedman," and in 2009 he was voted "Washington, D.C.'s Funniest Celebrity."

Established in 2005 under the direction of former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan, the CCL seeks to shape a new generation of public leaders and responsible citizens. Each year, the group invites prominent public figures to speak about the importance of active citizenship and public service.

In recent years, the CCL has hosted President Barack Obama, U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, Washington Post columnists Bob Woodward and David Broder, CNN's Peter Bergen, Children's Defense Fund Director Marian Wright Edelman, University of Chicago legal scholar Cass Sustein and human rights advocate Paul Rusesabagina.

For details, visit ben.edu/ccl, email ccl@ben.edu or contact Jean Zingg at jzingg@ben.edu.