Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Pawlenty's student appointments

Here's a look at the Governor's previous student appointments to the MnSCU Board.

Tyler Despins

Press release date of July 29, 2003.

Despins, of Winona, is a student at Winona State University pursuing a bachelor’s degree. He also attended Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) from 1999-2001. He has served as State Legislative Affairs Coordinator for the Minnesota State University Student Association. He also served as both President and Vice President of the Student Senate at RCTC. Despins is appointed to the position for a State University student. He will serve a two-year term ending June 30, 2005.

He was a late appointment by the Governor.

He was replaced by Michael Boulton.

Press release date, June 17, 2005.


Michael Boulton, of Porter, is a May 2005 graduate of Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) in Marshall. He received a B.S. degree in Political Science and Business Administration. This coming fall, Boulton will start classes toward a Master's of Arts in Urban and Regional Studies degree at Minnesota State University-Mankato. He is expected to graduate with his M.A. degree in May 2007.

Boulton served on the board of directors for the Minnesota State University Student Association in 2004-05. He served as a president (2004-05) and senator (2002-04) for the SMSU Student Association. Boulton also served as president of the SMSU Political Science Association from 2002-03 and as a member of the SMSU Pep Band from 2002-04.

He continues to serve while the Governor stalls on his appointment.

Carol (Ley) Wenner represents Technical College students on the board. IMHO, she has been the best student trustee I have worked with.
Carol C. Ley, of Alexandria, is a currently enrolled as a full-time student at Alexandria Technical College. In May 2005, she is scheduled to receive an Associate of Applied Science degree in Marketing and Sales Management. Ley has been named to the Dean's List and is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society for two-year colleges. She has also served as a Vice President of Business Partnerships for the Minnesota chapter of Delta Epsilon Chi (DEX). Ley is a member of her Student Senate and participated as a student representative on the search team for a new college president at Alexandria Technical College.

According to her bio, her term ended June 30, 2006.

Governor Pawlenty is a year late in announcing her replacement, after appointing her late.

Caleb Anderson represents Community College students on the board.

Press release date, August 31, 2006.
Caleb J. Anderson, of Maplewood, is pursuing an A.A. degree from Century College in White Bear Lake. He currently works as a lifeguard and swimming instructor at the Maplewood Community Center. Anderson also works as an assistant pre-school teacher at the Maple Tree Child Care Center in Maplewood. He is the co-founder and co-owner of Mason-Anderson Professional Cleaners LLC. At Century College, Anderson is involved in the student senate, debate team, theater, and honor society. He is appointed to the board seat for a community college student and will serve a two-year term which ends June 30, 2008. Anderson replaces Christopher Schultz on the board.


He'll serve through June 2008, and was a late appointment by the Governor.

Christopher Schultz

Press release dated June 30, 2004.
Christopher Schultz, of Plymouth, received an A.A. degree with high honors from Normandale Community College in May 2004. This fall he will be continuing his studies at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. While at Normandale, Schultz served as Treasurer of the Student Senate. He is appointed to the Board seat for a Community College Student. Schultz will serve a two-year term which ends July 31, 2006. He replaces Shaun Williams on the Board.

Schultz was replaced by Anderson, who was appointed late.

Note the trend in service with each of these appointee's. Strong backgrounds in student governance, with the 4 year students, ties to the 4 year student association, and non-student governance leadership positions in non-political organizations.

While Weigold and Kazee pass this litmus test, Hellier fails...miserably.

Also of note, the Governor has been late with his appointments on four occasions. Having appointed 5 with 2 pending, that's not a positive track record.

I hold the MnSCU Board in high regards. Having testified before them on countless occasions, I have developed a great deal of respect for what they do. Members like Ruth Grendahl, David Olson, Duane Benson, Tom Renier and others provide a great deal of experience and knowledge to the board. Student members supplement that experience with current perspectives on how these issues impact students they represent.

Hellier has no experience in a public college setting. How can he represent me? Other 4 year public college students?

My prediction? Hellier will be appointed, but the Governor will continue to wait on the matter, letting the controversy behind Hellier's candidacy die down.

And the righties called me a coward!

No comments: