Longtime Iowa Congressman and Senator John C. Culver passed away Thursday.

Culver was elected to Congress and served from 1965-1975, before serving a term in the Senate from 1975-1981. Simpson College partnered with Culver to create the John C. Culver Public Policy Center on campus, to promote civic education, service, and political engagement. Simpson College President Jay Simmons released a statement on his passing.

“Simpson College was honored to partner with Senator Culver in 2010 to found the John C. Culver Public Policy Center, which seeks to encourage and inspire young people to dedicate their lives to public service. His principled and courageous leadership, extraordinary intellect and work ethic, and commitment to the public good will continue to serve as a guiding light for generations of Americans to come.”

Culver also has a scholarship in his name at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, among many other honors.