Greitens makes three appointments to University of Missouri Board of Curators
Three people have been appointed to the University of Missouri Board of Curators by Gov. Eric Greitens.
The three appointments fill three of the five available seats. Donald Cupps and Pamela Henrickson are continuing to serve even though their terms expired on Jan. 1. It’s standard for board members to continue attending meetings after their term expires until a replacement is named. Mary Nelson and Thomas Voss, both appointed by Nixon, resigned from their posts in January.
Jeff Layman, Jamie Farmer and Darryl Chatman will be the newest members of the governing body of the University of Missouri system if they are confirmed by the state Senate.
“We have the potential to make Missouri’s higher education system a national model,” Greitens said. “Our state has excellent students, talented teachers and a people committed to education. There are also many areas where higher education can be improved. We can encourage more intellectual diversity and become the best state in the country at preparing students for rewarding careers. These curators bring knowledge and real-world experience to the table. They will be important voices for our students and families.”
Layman, a Republican from Springfield who also served as Greitens’ campaign finance chairman, replaces Cupps. Layman graduated from Missouri State University with a bachelor of science degree in business administration and management and studied business at Mizzou. He has also served as a trustee at the Ozarks Technical Community College.
Layman also served as the finance chairman for Greitens’ gubernatorial campaign. He was also the treasurer for Sarah Steelman’s campaigns; Steelman’s husband, David, is currently on the Board of Curators. Sarah Steelman works as Greitens’ Office of Administration director.
Farmer, a Republican from Jefferson City who works as an executive for the Capital Sand Co., will replace Henrickson on the board. She graduated from Mizzou’s Trulaske School of Business and has an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis.
Chatman is a Democrat from Foristell and replaces John Sundvold, who was appointed by former Gov. Jay Nixon. Sundvold’s nomination was withdrawn by Greitens earlier this month. Chatman graduated from Mizzou where he played as a linebacker on the football team. He has multiple degrees from the University of Missouri including two degrees in animal science, an MS in agriculture economics as well as a JD from the university. He works as an attorney and is the former deputy director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture.
The three appointees, two business leaders and one lawyer, show Greitens may be trying to diversify the board after a review commission noted “occupational diversity is a critical component” for selection of future curators. “The wisdom of supports and advice generated by a board, diverse in its experience and occupational backgrounds is a best practice by every complex entity and should be practiced in the appointment of curators of the University of Missouri System,” the review commission wrote.
Currently, the four active curators, and Henrickson and Cupps, whose terms have expired, have degrees in law.
