Press Release - Oct 17, 2007
OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 17, 2007
CONTACT:Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370
GOV. RITTER NAMES THREE APPOINTEES TO HIGHER EDUCATION PANELS
Gov. Bill Ritter today announced the nominations of Larry Beckner of Grand Junction to the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, and Joseph Garcia of Pueblo and Kaye Howe of Boulder to the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education.
Beckner has practiced law in Grand Junction since 1977, specializing in real estate, business entities and business transactions, municipal work and contracts. He attended Western State College in Gunnison and later earned his degree in secondary education and history from the University of Colorado in 1969. He obtained his law degree from the University of Puget Sound School of Law in 1977.
Beckner's appointment to a four-year term expiring in 2011 fills a vacancy left by the resignation of Thomas Gonzales of Cedaredge. The appointment requires Senate confirmation. The 11-member Colorado Commission on Higher Education sets policies for all state-supported institutions of higher education.
Gov. Ritter also has appointed Joseph Garcia of Pueblo and Kaye Howe of Boulder to the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education (WICHE).
Garcia is president of Colorado State University at Pueblo and a co-chair of the Governor's P-20 Education Council. His appointment is for a term expiring in 2009 to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of William J. Hybl of Colorado Springs.
Howe is executive director and principal investigator of the National Science Digital Library. She is a former president of two institutions of higher education: Western State College (1991-96) and International University (now Jones International University, 1996-97). Her appointment is for a full four-year term.
WICHE is composed of three members each from 13 Western states. The commission studies the needs of professional and graduate educational facilities in the region, the resources for meeting such needs, and the long-range effects of the commission's findings on higher education.