Posted: July 19, 2006
Contact: Doug Anderson, doug.anderson@MinnState.edu, 651-201-1426
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees today elected officers for the coming year. David Paskach, Marshall, will serve as board chair; Clarence Hightower, Plymouth, will serve as vice chair; and Michael Boulton, Porter, will be treasurer. Their one-year terms begin August 1.
Paskach is the vice president of programs for the Southwest Initiative Foundation, one of the six regional foundations in greater Minnesota created by the McKnight Foundation. Prior to joining the Southwest Initiative Foundation earlier this year, Paskach was president of the Schwan's Venture Group, a division of The Schwan Food Company. He began his career with Schwan in November 1989 as a corporate attorney. Paskach received his J.D. from the University of Illinois in Champaign, Ill. and his bachelor's degree in accounting from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. He is admitted to the bars of Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois. Paskach was appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2002 for a six-year term expiring June 30, 2008.
Hightower is the president and chief executive officer of the Minneapolis Urban League. He has had a long career in human services. Hightower holds a bachelor's degree from Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, and a master's in human and community service from George Williams College in Downers Grove, Ill. Hightower also is an ordained minister. He was appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2002 for a six-year term expiring June 30, 2008.
Boulton, one of three student representatives on the board, is pursuing a master's degree in urban and regional studies at Minnesota State University, Mankato. In 2005, he earned a bachelor's degree in political science and business administration from Southwest Minnesota State University. As an undergraduate, Boulton served on the board of directors for the Minnesota State University Student Association and was president of the Southwest Minnesota State University Student Association. He was appointed to the board seat for a state university student for a two-year term ending June 30, 2007.
The Board of Trustees governs the largest system of higher education in the state.
