Jefferson City, MO- Gov. Jay Nixon today in a media release announced two appointments to serve on the University of Missouri Board of Curators, which oversees the operation of the four-campus University of Missouri System. The Governor has appointed Maurice B. Graham (D), of Clayton and Phillip H. Snowden (D), of Kansas City to serve on the board.

“These individuals are distinguished alumni of the University of Missouri who have given great service to their state, their communities, and their alma mater for many decades,” Gov. Nixon said. “They will make outstanding curators for the University system.”

Graham will represent the Second Congressional District and Snowden the Sixth Congressional District on the Board of Curators, and will replace Don Downing and David Bradley, respectively. Their terms expired on Jan. 1, 2015. Both appointments will be subject to confirmation by the Missouri Senate.

Graham is president of the law firm of Gray, Ritter & Graham and is a past president of the Missouri Bar and of the St. Louis Bar Foundation. He has served as a member and chairman of the Supreme Court Advisory Committee, which oversees attorney discipline in Missouri.

Graham obtained his bachelor’s degree from Central Methodist University and his law degree from the University of Missouri. He has received distinguished alumni awards from both universities, and is a past member of the Board of Curators for Central Methodist as well as a trustee of the philanthropic Jefferson Club at the University of Missouri. He was chairman of the University of Missouri Law School’s $17 million endowment campaign. Graham also is a member and a past chairman of the Sheldon Arts Foundation Board in St. Louis. The Governor has appointed him for a term ending Jan. 1, 2021.

Beginning in 1967, Snowden represented Clay County in the Missouri General Assembly for 18 years, including 10 years in the House and eight years in the Senate. As a legislator, he sponsored and passed dozens of bills into law. For more than 50 years, Snowden has practiced law and been a real estate owner and developer of housing and office buildings in the Kansas City metropolitan area. He also was a member of the Kansas City, Missouri Charter Commission and the KC Missouri Employer Retirement Board.

Snowden holds undergraduate and law school degrees from the University of Missouri, and was the starting quarterback for the Missouri Tigers in the 1960 Orange Bowl game. He serves on the Economic Department Leaders Board for the University of Missouri, volunteering his time and talent to promote the Department of Economics, further its teaching and research missions, and assist with fundraising. The Governor has appointed Snowden for a term ending Jan. 1, 2021.

“I also want to take this opportunity to thank curators Don Downing and David Bradley for their service and commitment to the people of Missouri and higher education in our state,” Gov. Nixon said.