Iowa governor Chet Culver’s named four new members to the board that oversees the three state universities. The governor says he intends to fill all four vacancies on the Iowa Board of Regents with new faces after a University of Iowa presidential search that was dogged by troubles last year.
One of the governor’s nominees is former Iowa Attorney General and one-time democratic gubernatorial candidate Bonnie Campbell. The chair of governor Culver’s election campaign, Campbell was the Regents lawyer while serving as Iowa Attorney General. Campbell says she’s knowledgeable about the challenges, and "the duty that we must meet."
"More than most in this room," Campbell said, "I do know the importance of education. For many many of our citizens, for our young people, education is the great equalizer — as it has been in my life." Also nominated is Iowa Farm Bureau President Craig Lang, a Republican. That was a surprise to Coralville Senator Bob Dvorsky, though he predicted approval.
Dvorsky says it’s untypical to name someone to the Regents board from an association group like the Farm Bureau, but he adds "I think it’s high time maybe they should be involved." Culver also nominated renewable-energy businessman David Miles of West Des Moines, a Democrat, and Republican Jack Evans of Cedar Rapids, the head of a philanthropic foundation. The senate still must confirm the appointments. Governor Culver said Regent Michael Gartner will continue to serve as president.