George H. W. Bush

Bolstering the importance of Illinois in the primaries George H. W. Bush made a stop at Wheaton just days after the visit from John Anderson (March 1980). Bush was battling uphill to beat Ronald Reagan and was being beat by the religious Anderson. After a poor showing in the New Hampshire primary, the former director of the CIA didn't draw a large crowd–failing to half-fill the cavernous 2,500-seat Edman Chapel. Bush's future as a candidate didn't look good. Bush would later return to Wheaton in 1985, as Vice-President, to deliver that year's commencement address. Bush was given an honorary doctorate (Doctor of Laws – LL.D.).