Lucien Stryk, internationally renown poet and NIU professor, will be signing copies of his books at the Student Center Bookstore Grand Opening today from 1 to 3 p.m.

Stryk, who has been at NIU for 30 years, teaches poetry and Oriental literature. He works particularly with Zen poetry and Buddhist literature.

Stryk said more than 20 of his books have published, many of which have been widely translated. He also has 12 poetry collections and translated volumes of Japanese poetry. Some of these were collaborations with other authors, he said.

e has also published two anthologies of Midwestern poets, which he uses as texts in his poetry classes.

is most recent work, "Bells of Lombardy", will be among those which he will sign. This book is the 12th collection of his poetry.

"It is a great privilege to be asked (to autograph his work). I feel honored. I do this sort of thing from time to time, and it is particularly fine at one's own school," he said.

Stryk said the Student Center Bookstore has a large selection of his work including his poems, the anthologies of the Midwestern poets and the translations of Japanese poetry.

NIU English Professor Gerald Berkowitz said, "He (Stryk) is a very good poet. He will admit that he is influenced by the Japanese poets on matters of style, imagery and such."

Three local political officials have agreed to serve as coordinators for Sen. Paul Simon's presidential campaign.

DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow, DeKalb County Clerk and Recorder Terrence Desmond and Kane County Coroner Mary Lou Kearns have all accepted positions as 14th Congressional District coordinators for Simon's campaign.

Eric Adelstein, assistant political director for Simon's campaign, said each of the three officials received letters from Simon thanking them for their willingness to help with campaign efforts. More coordinators might be selected he said, adding there is not one coordinator but "a series of them."

Desmond, who worked on Simon's 1984 senatorial campaign, said "(Simon) is the finest person I know in government at any level. His quality would bring a positive dramatic change specifically with education, human rights and fiscal management."

In the next few weeks, volunteers will be enlisted to help with Simon's campaign efforts, Desmond said. He said there will be a student organization formed to support Simon.

Sparrow said he accepted a position as a coordinator as well. He said, "My major concern is that he (Simon) get elected." He said he has supported Simon since he won the democratic nomination for senator.

Kearns said she is "happy" to coordinate campaign efforts with the other officials. She said she is a personal friend of Simon. "I'm looking forward to seeing him run this country as president."

Tim McArnarney, special assistant to Simon supporter Alan Dixon, D-Ill., said he is a friend of Simon and has been working on his campaign in some of the districts including the 14th. He said the initial efforts for Simon's campaign will be focused on Iowa and New Hampshire.

"We're just starting to move into this (DeKalb) area," McArnarney said, adding that he is "comfortable" with the three coordinators selected so far. He said the three will be working to coordinate campaign efforts in the 14th District.

Desmond said most of the efforts would be geared toward the Illinois March 15 primary election. He said local campaign efforts will have to deal with NIU's spring break, March 12-22, because students will not be on campus to vote. Students will be encouraged to vote at home or with an absentee ballot before they leave.

Anyone interested in volunteering to work on Simon's campaign should contact one of the coordinators, Desmond said.