West Virginia Universitys Board of Governors has three new members and will retain the services of another, thanks to appointments made recently by Gov. Joe Manchin.

John T.TedMattern of Fairmont, retired superintendent serving the Preston, Mingo and Upshur County school systems, will join the board for a four-year term through June 2009. Mattern currently serves as regional district manager for Educational Testing Services, and previously served on the Universitys BOG in 2002-2003 as school superintendent.

Dr. Thomas S. Clark, of Bruceton Mills, retired vice president of corporate medical affairs at Mylan Pharmaceuticals, also joins the board for a four-year term through June 2009.

In addition, Mark A. Manchin of Welch, superintendent of schools for McDowell County, will fill the unexpired term vacated by former Monongalia County School Superintendent Michael Vetere, who resigned last year to take a teaching position out of state. Manchins appointment runs through June 2006.

Parry G. Petroplus, president of Petroplus and Associates Inc. of Morgantown, was also reappointed to the panel through June 2009.

The appointments take effect immediately.

We welcome our new membersMr. Mattern, Mr. Manchin and Dr. Clarkand our reappointed memberMr. Petroplusto the board and thank the governor for his thoughtful appointments,said WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr.

Teds and Marks knowledge of the public school systems in our state will advance the boards understanding of how we can strengthen ties between K-12 and higher education,Hardesty added.Toms and Parrys business backgrounds and loyalty to the University will also be great assets to the board.

In addition to Veteres vacancy, those completing terms are Morgantown realtor Vaughn Kiger and retired Navy Adm. T. Joseph Lopez, president of Information Manufacturing Corp. of Manassas, Va.

Hardesty thanked Kiger for his dedicated service on the board, saying,Vaughn has served faithfully and loyally on the governing boards of the University since 1995. He has served in a leadership position, including as chair, throughout the decade, and has supported the changes at WVU which have advanced this University and the State during that period.

He lauded Lopez as adistinguished American, whose leadership qualities, knowledge of the regional campus system and understanding of national security affairs have been great assets to the board.

New faculty and student representatives also joined the board, effective June 30. They are Michael Lastinger, president of WVU Faculty Senate, and D.J. Casto, student administration president. They replace Christopher Wilkinson and Jordan Workman, respectively.

The BOG will next meet Sept. 30 in Morgantown.