JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Gov. Jay Nixon announced Thursday he has made several re-appointments to three boards related to higher education. The appointments will be subject to Senate confirmation. The appointees are:
Coordinating Board for Higher Education (Douglas R. Kennedy – Poplar Bluff)
Missouri State University Board of Governors (Beverly Miller – Lebanon; Carrie Tergin – Jefferson City)
Missouri Western State University Board of Governors (Deborah J. Smith – Country Club Village)
Coordinating Board for Higher Education
The Governor has re-appointed Douglas R. Kennedy (D), of Poplar Bluff to the Coordinating Board for Higher Education. The Coordinating Board of Higher Education coordinates the state system of higher education, which includes 13 public four-year colleges and universities, 17 public two-year community colleges, one public two-year technical college, 25 independent colleges and universities, 120 proprietary schools and 39 specialized independent schools and colleges and theological institutions.
Kennedy has practiced law in Poplar Bluff for 30 years, and is a partner with the firm of Kennedy, Kennedy, Robbins & Yarbro. He is a cattle farmer as well, and has been involved in numerous charitable and youth service organizations in the Poplar Bluff area. He obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri and his law degree from University of Memphis. The Governor has re-appointed him for a term ending June 27, 2020.
Missouri State University Board of Governors
The Governor has re-appointed Beverly Miller (D), of Lebanon; and Carrie Tergin (R), of Jefferson City, to the Missouri State University Board of Governors. The Board of Governors possesses full power and authority to adopt all needful rules and regulations for the guidance and supervision of the university.
Miller, a graduate of Missouri State University with a degree in education, taught social studies in secondary schools in Lebanon and Kansas City, as well as in the sociology departments at Missouri State and Drury universities. She has served as director of the Lebanon office of the American Red Cross and on the board of the Greater Ozarks American Red Cross. The Governor has re-appointed her for a term ending Jan. 1, 2021.
Tergin was elected Mayor of Jefferson City in April 2015 and formerly served on the city council. She is the owner of Carrie’s Hallmark Shop in Jefferson City, and is also an artist and a photographer. She is a graduate of Missouri State University with a degree in business management. Tergin has served on the boards of numerous civic and charitable organizations. The Governor has re-appointed her for a term ending Jan. 1, 2021.
Missouri Western State University Board of Governors
The Governor has re-appointed Deborah J. Smith (D), of Country Club Village, to the Missouri Western State University Board of Governors. The Missouri Western State University Board of Governors establishes policies, by-laws, rules and regulations for its own governance and for control and governance of the University.
Smith, a graduate of Missouri Western with a degree in marketing, was an elected member of the Savannah R-III School District from 2004 to 2013and currently is a member of the board of directors of Northwest Health. She previously was a private contractor for Shelter Insurance in St. Joseph. The Governor has re-appointed Smith for a term ending Oct. 29, 2020.