Gov. Bob Wise appointed two new members and reappointed another to West Virginia Universitys Board of Governors, effective immediately.
John”Ted”Mattern of Buckhannon, superintendent of schools for Upshur County, succeeds Sandra Weese, and Steve Goodwin of Mount Alto, Jackson County, a partner in the law firm of Goodwin and Goodwin and immediate past president of the WVU Alumni Association, succeeds Samuel Chico III .
The governor also reappointed Rod Thorn of Rye, N.Y., president of the New Jersey Nets, to the 15-member panel. All terms end June 30, 2006.
New BOG Chairman Curtis H.”Hank”Barnette commended the governor on his selections.
“We are very pleased with the appointments made by Governor Wise,”Barnette said.”They will bring great experience to the board, and we look forward to serving with them.”
Barnette also thanked Sandra Weese, superintendent of schools for Tyler County, and Morgantown businessman Sam Chico for their dedicated service on the board.
WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr. also lauded the new board members and Thorns reappointment.
“The experience of the two new board members will add greatly to the deliberations of the Board of Governors,”Hardesty said.”Steve Goodwin has considerable experience with the University as the president of the WVU Alumni Association, and Superintendent Mattern is a well-known West Virginia educator. We are equally delighted to have Rod Thorn continuing on the board for another four years.
“These are fine appointments, and we welcome our new members,”the president added.
New faculty and student representatives will also take over positions when the Board convenes in September. Stan Cohen, chair of Faculty Senate, will succeed Roy Nutter, outgoing chair, and Student Government Association President Chris Gregory will succeed student representative Jeremy Posey.
In addition to Barnette, chairman emeritus of Bethlehem Steel Corp., other new BOG officers elected at the June meeting are: Vice Chairman Thomas E. Potter of Charleston and Secretary Joseph Lopez of Arlington, Va.
Barnette succeeds outgoing Chair Vaughn Kiger of Morgantown, who remains a member of the BOG Executive Committee.
“It is a great honor to serve as chairman,”Barnette said.”On behalf of the board, I wish to commend Vaughn Kiger, my predecessor, for his outstanding leadership, and we all look forward to his continued service on the board.”
Hardesty also lauded Kigers leadership.
“He served the board well as its first chairman and will continue to contribute as a member of the Executive Committee,”he said.