BISMARCK -- State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler said Friday, May 30, that eight candidates have applied for a future vacancy on North Dakota’s Board of Higher Education.
Don Morton, a retired Microsoft Corp. executive in Fargo, is leaving the board July 1 after serving two four-year terms, which is the maximum allowed by the state Constitution, according to a release.
Morton’s successor will be chosen for a four-year term. The person will be eligible for reappointment to a second term.
Here’s a list of the candidates:
Matthew Dunlevy, Grand Forks, chief executive officer, SkyScopes Inc.;
Ian Grande, Bismarck, principal of Shiloh Christian School;
Perry Lubbers, Casselton, retired supply executive for Trail King Industries and the Bobcat Co.;
June “JuniKae” Randall, Grand Forks, television producer and founder/chief executive officer of Circle of Nations Publishing of Grand Forks;
Cody Severson, Fargo, executive director of Community Uplift Program/Harbor Health Clinic of Fargo;
Jonathan Sickler, Grand Forks, chief legal officer of Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services Inc. of Grand Forks;
Frank Walker, New Rockford, a farmer, rancher and veterinarian; and
Joseph Wetch Jr., Fargo, partner and vice president of the Serkland Law Firm of Fargo.
The application deadline was 5 p.m. Friday.
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A nominating committee will review applications and recommend potential appointments to Gov. Doug Burgum.
Baesler is chairwoman of the committee. Other members are Chief Justice Jon Jensen; House Speaker Lawrence Klemin, R-Bismarck; Sen. Oley Larsen, R-Minot, the president pro tempore of the North Dakota Senate; and Nick Archuleta, president of North Dakota United, which represents public employees and school teachers, a release said.
The nominating committee eventually will narrow the applicant pool to three finalists to forward to Burgum.
Several of the new candidates applied for a previous board opening created by the January resignation of Dan Traynor, who was appointed to a federal judgeship. Burgum chose Danita Bye, a Stanley business adviser and consultant, to succeed Traynor.
The board oversees the North Dakota University System, which includes 11 public colleges and universities.
