Photographs that depict the long and illustrious political, military and civic career of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Distinguished Alumnus and former East St. Louis Mayor Gordon D. Bush were unveiled during a reception in his honor held Tuesday, Sept. 10 at Lovejoy Library.
“I have tremendous appreciation for this exhibit. It is a great honor and a blessing,” said Bush. “It further inspires me to keep going. I’m hoping that others will see that, and they too will get involved in some fashion to help East St. Louis and the University.”
“When you think about the career of Gordon D. Bush, you can see SIUE’s mission of training individuals to shape a changing world,” said SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook. “Dr. Bush’s career includes more than 40 years as a public servant, serving as St. Clair County assessor, East St. Louis building commissioner and East St. Louis city treasurer. He was also on the St. Clair County Board of Review and was president of National Council of Black Mayors. Thank you, Dr. Bush, for all you have done for this community and for this University.”
Bush earned both bachelor’s and a master’s degrees in geography from SIUE in 1970 and 1971, respectively. He received the SIUE Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1996 and was named to the 2009 SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame. Bush and his wife, Brenda, started the Gordon D. Bush Political Science Scholarship Endowment at SIUE.
“Soon after his induction into the 2009 SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame, Dr. Bush, along with his wife Brenda, came to the campus to initiate the Gordon D. Bush Political Science Scholarship,” said College of Arts and Sciences Dean Greg Budzban, PhD. “In April, we were able to award two students a $1,000 scholarship each.”
Some other achievements of Bush includes being a decorated U.S. Army veteran, having earned the rank of Lt. Col. Upon his retirement, Bush received the U.S. Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Meritorious Service Medal. During a ceremony at the White House, President Bill Clinton presented Bush with a “Certificate of Appreciation” honoring his distinguished military career.
Bush served as mayor of East St. Louis from 1991-99 and was the first mayor in the country to endorse Presidential Candidate Bill Clinton. Bush is also active on numerous boards and organizations, including the NAACP, Shriners International and the United States Army Reserves Officer Association. In 2006, the Gordon D. Bush Elementary School in East St. Louis opened in his honor.
“We applaud Dr. Gordon G. Bush for his many contributions to local, state and national government,” said Lydia Jackson, interim dean of Library and Information Services (LIS). “We salute you, Dr. Bush for your military service, civic engagement and the many contributions to the City of East St. Louis. I also thank Dr. and Mrs. Bush for their dedication to enhancing the conditions for children and youth in the East St. Louis community through their civic engagement and philanthropic giving. Most recently, their involvement in a metropolitan golf tournament netted four $1,000 academic scholarships to young adults pursuing post-secondary degrees.”
“I’m still concerned about East St. Louis. There is so much that is needed as far as improvements,” said Bush. “We have some good people who are trying to do a good job, but there are obstacles that make it difficult. There are perceptions about the city that people do not care, but I think the leaders and the people do care. They want to make it a better city and community.
“SIUE and East St. Louis have a long history, and I’m glad to have been a part of it. I would like to see the leaders of both entities come together again, as well as bring in students, to find ways to better the City of East St. Louis.”
Photos:
Dr. Gordon D. Bush, SIUE distinguished alumnus and former East St. Louis mayor, enjoys a reception in his honor on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at SIUE’s Lovejoy Library.
Library and Information Services Interim Dean Lydia Jackson notes some of Bush’s many accomplishments.
L-R: Listening to opening remarks are SIUE Emeritus Professor and former administrator Johnetta Haley, Bush, College of Arts and Sciences Dean Greg Budzban, PhD, and Pembrook.