Gov. Joe Manchin III’s appointment of attorney James R. “J.R.” Rogers Friday, the reappointment of three members and the transition to a new student body president completes the membership of the West Virginia University Board of Governors for the current term.

Rogers, senior managing partner in the law offices of J. Robert Rogers of Hurricane and president and executive director of the White Foundation, Ponte Vedra, Fla., replaces Oliver Luck, WVU’s director of intercollegiate athletics, for the unexpired term ending June 30, 2012. Luck recently resigned from the Board to be considered for the AD position.

Rogers maintains residences in Milton, W.Va., and in Ponte Vedra, Fla., and is a former member of the West Virginia Senate (1975-1986), serving as president pro tempore; member of the Rules, Judiciary and Senate Management committees; and chairman of the Banking and Insurance Committee, among other legislative responsibilities. He also served as president of the Boone County Commission from 1970-1974.

He earned a law degree from WVU in 1967 and received his bachelor’s degree from Marshall University in 1964.

“I am sincerely honored to have the opportunity to serve on the Board of Governors at West Virginia University,” Rogers said. “I look forward to working with President Clements and the Board in the coming years. It is my hope that my years of practicing law, along with my business experience—combined with the 12 years I served in the State Senate and four years as president of the Boone County Commission—will allow me to contribute to the future growth of WVU.”

WVU President James P. Clements and Board of Governors Chair Carolyn Long applauded Manchin’s appointment.

“With his roots in West Virginia and his legislative and professional experiences, J.R.Rogers will bring valuable perspective to the Board, and we look forward to his participation and contributions,” Long said.

Clements thanked Manchin not only for the Rogers appointment, but for the recent reappointments of Long, Andrew “Drew” Payne III and Thomas V. Flaherty to new four-year terms. All reappointments took effect July 1, as did the term of new Student Government Association President Chris Lewallen. Rogers’ appointment is effective immediately.

Long is the retired superintendent of schools in Braxton County and president of Product Distributors, Inc.; Payne, president of Payne Gallatin, serves as vice chair. Flaherty is an attorney with Flaherty Sensabaugh & Bonasso PLLC.

“We are truly fortunate that these fine individuals will lend their leadership skills and backgrounds in education, business and law to our governing board,” Clements said. “Their enthusiasm and love for WVU are so genuine, and I appreciate their willingness to serve our University in the important years ahead.

“I am particularly pleased that Carolyn Long will be continuing as Board chair,” Clements said. “Her leadership over the past two years has been exceptional. She loves her alma mater and having her continued leadership on the Board as we grow and advance our University is a great asset.”

-WVU-

bl-jb/07/12/10

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