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New appointee earned doctorate from SDSU. Nice to see Rounds adding Jackrabbits to the board. I hope she is a supporter of the DI move.
Longtime Board of Regents member stepping down
DORIS HAUGEN
Associated Press
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Pat Lebrun, a champion of the public higher education system in South Dakota, has retired from the state Board of Regents after 18 years on the panel.
"I have enjoyed all of it," Lebrun, of Rapid City, said Wednesday in an interview. "What an honor to be part of this."
Appointed in 1987 by the late Gov. George Mickelson, Lebrun has served as the board's president, vice president, secretary and has been chairwoman of the academic affairs and finance committees.
She is one of the state's longest-serving regents.
During her tenure, the board has hired several university presidents, added programs to expand research and development, completed an extensive review of general education requirements, and opened higher education centers in Sioux Falls and Rapid City.
"Eighteen years ... it doesn't seem like a very long time," said Lebrun. "It's all been based on issues."
Gov. Mike Rounds announced on Wednesday that he had appointed Kathryn Johnson, of Hill City, to fill Lebrun's spot on the nine-member board. Johnson's education and business experience are a good fit for the panel, Rounds said.
Her term begins immediately.
Lebrun said South Dakota's higher education system has made many gains during the nearly two decades she has been a regent.
"We have a governor who is providing great leadership in terms of research and development. We've built a climate where we're keeping young people here. We have a very strong board that is seasoned," said Lebrun.
"This is a wonderful time to leave when everything is good. It gives me great confidence."
A graduate of Black Hills State University, Johnson has a master's degree from Iowa State University and a doctorate from South Dakota State University. She owns Johnson Environmental Concepts and owns and operates The Pet Pantry in Rapid City.
Johnson said it was too early to tell what goals she might have for higher education.
"To me, it's been going in a good direction," Johnson said. "There have been good changes on the campuses."
Longtime Board of Regents member stepping down
DORIS HAUGEN
Associated Press
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Pat Lebrun, a champion of the public higher education system in South Dakota, has retired from the state Board of Regents after 18 years on the panel.
"I have enjoyed all of it," Lebrun, of Rapid City, said Wednesday in an interview. "What an honor to be part of this."
Appointed in 1987 by the late Gov. George Mickelson, Lebrun has served as the board's president, vice president, secretary and has been chairwoman of the academic affairs and finance committees.
She is one of the state's longest-serving regents.
During her tenure, the board has hired several university presidents, added programs to expand research and development, completed an extensive review of general education requirements, and opened higher education centers in Sioux Falls and Rapid City.
"Eighteen years ... it doesn't seem like a very long time," said Lebrun. "It's all been based on issues."
Gov. Mike Rounds announced on Wednesday that he had appointed Kathryn Johnson, of Hill City, to fill Lebrun's spot on the nine-member board. Johnson's education and business experience are a good fit for the panel, Rounds said.
Her term begins immediately.
Lebrun said South Dakota's higher education system has made many gains during the nearly two decades she has been a regent.
"We have a governor who is providing great leadership in terms of research and development. We've built a climate where we're keeping young people here. We have a very strong board that is seasoned," said Lebrun.
"This is a wonderful time to leave when everything is good. It gives me great confidence."
A graduate of Black Hills State University, Johnson has a master's degree from Iowa State University and a doctorate from South Dakota State University. She owns Johnson Environmental Concepts and owns and operates The Pet Pantry in Rapid City.
Johnson said it was too early to tell what goals she might have for higher education.
"To me, it's been going in a good direction," Johnson said. "There have been good changes on the campuses."